A real estate attorney for Houston homeowners and businesses
Whether it is the family home, a first house, an office building or a parcel of land, a real estate deal moves fast and leaves little room to fix mistakes after signing. A missed deadline or a vague clause can cost earnest money, time or leverage. We bring the same care to families buying or selling a home and to business owners and investors in commercial property. Before any work begins, you know exactly what we will handle and what the fee covers, so you can decide with a clear head.
- Residential purchases and sales
- Commercial purchases and sales
- Choosing how to hold the property, personally or through a company
- Contract review, drafting and negotiation
- Title commitment and closing document review
How a lawyer helps in a Texas purchase or sale
Many buyers and sellers assume someone at the closing table is looking out for them. In Texas, the closing is usually handled by a title company, where a licensed escrow officer acts as a neutral party for both sides, holds the funds and records the documents. That officer does not represent you, and many real estate agents must use standard state contract forms they can change only with factual and business details.
That is where we come in. We read the contract before you sign, explain deadlines and the option period in plain words, review the title commitment for liens, easements and other exceptions, and confirm that the closing documents match the deal you made. For commercial or unusual transactions, we draft the agreement ourselves. A short call before you sign is the simplest way to start.
Foreign buyer real estate lawyer in Texas
Buying Texas property from abroad means juggling time zones, unfamiliar forms and rules that can change. Since September 1, 2025, a Texas law restricts real property purchases by certain individuals, companies and governments connected to countries designated as adversaries, with exceptions that include U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Getting this wrong after you sign is far harder to undo than checking it before.
We explain which U.S. and Texas requirements apply to you, help you decide how ownership, financing and a later sale should be structured, and work in English, French and Spanish so nothing is lost in translation. Reach out before you make an offer or sign a contract, while every option is still open to you.
FIRPTA lawyer in Texas: when a foreign owner sells
For a foreign owner, the surprise often comes at the end: a large share of the sale price held back at closing. Under a federal law called FIRPTA, the buyer generally must withhold part of the price and send it to the IRS. The general rate is 15 percent of the amount realized, with exceptions and reduced rates in some cases, such as certain homes the buyer will live in. The buyer generally files IRS Form 8288 and pays within 20 days of the transfer.
The seller can apply on Form 8288-B for reduced or no withholding, then claim credit for the amount withheld on a U.S. tax return. The IRS needs time to act, so planning early matters. We work alongside your tax adviser to keep the closing on schedule, and the sooner we talk, the more room there is to plan.
Investor and partner disputes and asset recovery
When a property deal between partners or investors breaks down, the stress is real: a partner refuses to sign, money was not used as promised, or the venture ended without a fair accounting. Waiting rarely helps, because records go missing and deadlines run. We review the agreements and the paper trail, explain your options in plain terms and pursue a practical resolution, including recovery of assets where the facts support it. Every situation depends on its facts. If a deal has gone sideways, call us now and let’s look at where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a real estate lawyer in The Woodlands if a title company is closing my sale?
The law does not require one for most Texas sales, but a title company’s escrow officer is a neutral party and does not represent you. A lawyer can review the contract before you sign, explain the title commitment and its exceptions, and check the closing documents against your deal. Clients often find this most valuable for commercial property, unusual terms, estates, or buyers and sellers living abroad.
What does a real estate attorney in Houston do for a commercial purchase?
For commercial property we can help choose how the property will be held, draft or negotiate the purchase agreement, review title and survey matters, and coordinate with the lender and title company through closing. We agree on the scope and fee before work begins, so you know exactly which parts of the transaction we handle and which we do not.
Can you help me buy property near Huntsville, TX?
Yes. As a real estate lawyer for Huntsville, TX and the surrounding area, we have an office in Huntsville in addition to our main office in The Woodlands. We help with residential and commercial purchases and sales, contract review, title review and closing, and we can meet in person or remotely, which helps when buyers or sellers are out of town or out of the country.
Can a foreign citizen buy real estate in Texas?
Many international buyers own property in Texas, but there are rules to check first. Since September 1, 2025, Texas law restricts purchases by certain buyers tied to countries designated as adversaries, with exceptions such as U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Federal tax rules also matter when you later sell. A foreign buyer real estate lawyer in Texas can review your situation before you sign.
What is FIRPTA withholding and who is responsible for it?
FIRPTA is a federal law that applies when a foreign person sells U.S. real property. The buyer is generally the withholding agent and must withhold a portion of the price, usually 15 percent of the amount realized, unless an exception or a reduced rate applies. A buyer who fails to withhold can be held liable, so both sides benefit from planning before closing.
Can FIRPTA withholding be reduced?
In some cases, yes. The buyer or seller can ask the IRS for a withholding certificate on Form 8288-B, which may reduce or eliminate the amount withheld, for example when the tax actually owed will be lower. The IRS needs time to process the request, so it should be started early. Every situation depends on its facts.
Call +1 (832) 840-7266 or book a consultation today, and talk through your Texas purchase, sale or dispute with a lawyer before the next deadline arrives.
Book a consultationThis page provides general information, not legal advice. Every situation depends on its facts. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.