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Real Estate Closings

A Texas Real Estate Attorney Who Works for You — Not Just the Transaction

The title company closes the deal. I make sure the deal is right for you before it closes.

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What the Title Company Does Not Do

Most Texas residential closings are handled by a title company, and that process works smoothly when everything is straightforward. What the title company cannot do is review the purchase agreement on your behalf, advise you on whether the contract terms protect your interests, or flag problems in the chain of title before they become your problem after closing.


I provide contract review, title history analysis, and closing support for buyers and sellers who want an attorney in their corner — not just a neutral closing agent.

When Attorney Involvement Makes a Difference

Some transactions are routine. Others carry risks that do not show up until you are already at the closing table. I work with clients in situations like these:

  • You are buying a home and want your purchase agreement reviewed before you sign


  • You are selling a property that has been in your family for years and you are not certain the title is clean


  • The property is in a FEMA flood zone or has severed mineral rights that need to be understood before transfer


  • You are a non-citizen buyer and your financing, ownership structure, or immigration status requires specific planning


  • The property is subject to HOA deed restrictions or is part of a commercial transaction with more complex documentation


  • You are dealing with an estate property that may not have a clear recorded transfer history

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Buying Property as a Non-Citizen in Texas

Non-citizens can own real property in Texas. The question is not whether you are allowed to buy — it is whether the transaction is structured in a way that makes sense given your current immigration status, your financing options, and your long-term plans.


How title is held, how the purchase is financed, and how the transaction interacts with an open immigration case are not separate decisions. I handle both immigration and real estate matters, which means I can review your situation as a whole rather than treating the closing as an isolated transaction.


If you are a non-citizen buyer in Corpus Christi or anywhere in Texas, I can help you move forward with confidence.

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Properties With Title History That Needs a Second Look

Family property that has passed through multiple generations — especially without formal probate or properly recorded transfers — can carry title defects that prevent a clean sale. These issues are not always visible until a buyer's title search surfaces them, and a defect discovered at the closing table can delay or derail the entire transaction.


I review the chain of title before your closing date so that any problems are identified and addressed on your timeline, not the buyer's. If your property has been in the family for decades, or if you are not certain whether an estate was formally probated, that review is worth doing early.

What I Review Before Your Closing

Whether you are buying or selling, attorney review at the contract stage protects you from surprises that are much harder to address after the transaction closes.


For buyers, I review the purchase agreement to confirm the terms reflect what was negotiated, identify any provisions that could create liability or limit your remedies, and examine the title commitment for exceptions that may affect your use of the property.


For sellers, I review the contract for terms that could expose you to post-closing claims, confirm that the title history supports a clean transfer, and help resolve any recorded issues — including liens, heirship questions, or prior conveyances — before the closing date.

Corpus Christi Real Estate Has Specific Considerations

Properties in the Coastal Bend carry characteristics that buyers and sellers elsewhere in Texas may not encounter as often. Flood zone designation under FEMA maps affects insurance costs, financing eligibility, and long-term property value. Mineral rights that have been severed from surface rights require careful review so that buyers understand exactly what they are — and are not — acquiring. HOA deed restrictions in master-planned communities along South Padre Island Drive can limit use and impose obligations that need to be understood before closing.


I am familiar with these local conditions and I review transactions with them in mind.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Closings in Texas

  • Do I need an attorney to close on a house in Texas?

    In Texas, misdemeanors are the less severe category of criminal offense and are punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines. Felonies are more serious charges that carry potential state prison sentences ranging from 180 days to life, depending on the degree. Both categories carry collateral consequences — including effects on employment, housing, and immigration status — that extend well beyond the sentence itself.

  • What is the difference between a cash closing and a financed closing, and does it affect whether I need an attorney?

    That depends on the value of your home, your belongings, and your level of risk. We’ll help you calculate replacement costs and liability needs to ensure you’re fully protected without overpaying.

  • Can a non-citizen buy real estate in Texas?

    A will takes effect after you pass and goes through probate. A trust can take effect during your lifetime and allows assets to transfer to beneficiaries without probate. For most individuals and families in Texas, a well-drafted will is sufficient. A trust makes sense in specific circumstances — larger estates, minor beneficiaries, or particular privacy concerns. I will tell you which applies to your situation.

  • What is a title defect, and how does it affect a sale?

    For straightforward estates with a valid will, Texas independent administration can often be completed in a few months. More complex estates, contested wills, or cases without a will take longer. An heirship determination proceeding, required when there is no will, adds time to the process but is manageable with proper legal guidance.

  • Do you handle commercial real estate transactions as well as residential?

    Yes. Commercial transactions typically involve more complex documentation, financing structures, and due diligence requirements than residential closings. Attorney involvement is standard practice in commercial real estate for that reason.

    I have worked with buyers, sellers, and non-citizen clients across Corpus Christi and South Texas on real estate transactions that needed more than a title company could provide. If your closing involves any complexity — or if you simply want someone reviewing the contract on your behalf — I am available to help.


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