Real Estate Law and Asset Protection
for Texas Real Estate Investors

By David J. Willis, J.D., LL.M.
Texas Attorney & Real Estate Broker
2027 Edition, 794 pages

“The most important real estate book you will ever read!” – Attorney Keaton Frieberg, San Antonio

Watch a YouTube video review by San Antonio lawyer Nate Gilbert.

Table of Contents

PART I. CONTRACTS AND CLOSINGS

Chapter 1. – Special Provisions in Texas Residential Contracts
Chapter 2. – Disclosure Obligations of Texas Residential Sellers
Chapter 3. – Disclosure Obligations of Texas Brokers and Agents
Chapter 4. – As Is” Conveyances in Residential Transactions
Chapter 5. – Title Insurance in Texas
Chapter 6. – Earnest Money Disputes
Chapter 7. – Affidavits of Heirship
Chapter 8. – Lis Pendens in Texas 

PART II. DEEDS IN TEXAS

Chapter 9. – Fundamentals of a Texas Deed
Chapter 10. – Common Types of Texas Deeds
Chapter 11. – Warranties and Covenants in Texas Deeds
Chapter 12. – Deeds Creating Co-Ownership in Texas
Chapter 13. – Deeding Property to an LLC in Texas
Chapter 14. – Corrections to Texas Deeds
Chapter 15. – Ambiguous, Disputed, Lost, Forged, and Fraudulent Deeds in Texas

PART III. NOTEWORTHY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW

Chapter 16. – Fraud by Sellers of Residential Real Estate
Chapter 17. – Deceptive Trade Practices Act
Chapter 18. – Executory Contracts in Texas Real Estate
Chapter 19. – The Statute of Frauds
Chapter 20. – The Safe Act and Dodd-Frank
Chapter 21. – Mortgage Loan Fraud
Chapter 22. – Money Laundering in U.S. Real Estate

PART IV. CREATIVE TRANSACTIONS IN TEXAS REAL ESTATE

Chapter 23. – Seller Financing in Texas Residential Transactions
Chapter 24. – Assumptions in Texas
Chapter 25. – “Subject To” Transactions
Chapter 26. – Wraparound Transactions in Texas
Chapter 27. – Due-on-Sale Considerations
Chapter 28. – Lease -Options, Lease-Purchases, and Preferential Rights
Chapter 29. – Adverse Possession in Texas

PART V. LLCs, PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES

Chapter 30. – LLC Formation in Texas
Chapter 31. – The Series LLCs: An Overview
Chapter 32. – Registered, Protected, & Ordinary Series
Chapter 33. – Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements In LLCs
Chapter 34. – LLC Tax And Banking Issues
Chapter 35. – Piercing The Veil
Chapter 36. – Partnerships and Joint Ventures In Texas

PART VI. TRUSTS IN TEXAS REAL ESTATE

Chapter 37. – Basic Principles of Living Trusts
Chapter 38. – Living Trusts for the Homestead
Chapter 39. – Investor Land Trusts

PART VII. ASSET PROTECTION STRATEGIES

Chapter 40. – Asset Protection in Texas
Chapter 41. – Two-Company Structure for Real Estate Investors
Chapter 42. – Graphics of Asset Protection Structures
Chapter 43. – Anonymity Strategies in Texas Real Estate
Chapter 44. – Assumed Names
Chapter 45. – Homestead Protections in Texas
Chapter 46. – Equity Stripping for Asset Protection

PART VIII. RESIDENTIAL LEASING AND EVICTIONS

Chapter 47. – The Texas Realtors Residential Lease
Chapter 48. – Security Deposits in Residential Leases
Chapter 49. – Eviction of Residential Tenants

PART IX. RESIDENTIAL FORECLOSURES IN TEXAS

Chapter 50. – Commencing a Texas Residential Foreclosure
Chapter 51. – Conducting a Texas Foreclosure Sale

Chapter 52. – Redemption Rights after Foreclosure in Texas
Chapter 53. – Post-Foreclosure Litigation in Texas

PART X. TEXAS REAL ESTATE LITIGATION

Chapter 54. – Real Estate Litigation in Texas
Chapter 55. – Partition of Texas Real Estate
Chapter 56. – Mediation

PART XI. JUDGMENTS IN TEXAS

Chapter 57. – Judgments in Texas
Chapter 58. – Fraudulent Transfers to Avoid Creditors
Chapter 59. – Charging Orders in Texas
Chapter 60. – Lien Release and Removal

PART XII. ASSIGNMENT OF REAL ESTATE INTERESTS

Chapter 61. – Assignments: General Process and Principles
Chapter 62. – Assignment of Real Estate Notes and Liens
Chapter 63. – Assignment (Wholesaling) of Residential Contracts
Chapter 64. – Assignment of LLC Membership Interests

PART XIII. TOPICS OF INTEREST TO INVESTORS

Chapter 65. – Hard-Money Lending in Texas
Chapter 66. – Personal Guarantees in Texas Real Estate
Chapter 67. – Letters of Intent in Texas Residential Real Estate

Book Reviews

“A practical guide for attorneys and anyone getting into real estate. Recommended! ” — Attorney Nathaniel Gilbert, San Antonio 

“The most important real estate book you will ever read!” — Attorney Keaton Frieberg, New Braunfels

“David and his books are my first resource. A must read. ”— Attorney Donald Jones, Dallas

“David offers a wealth of sage advice with keen insights.” — Attorney Brian Gutierrez, Bryan

“This book is amazing! Many great tips and creative solutions.” — Attorney Zachary Copp, Dallas

“Extremely informative real. Very well done.”Attorney Christopher Barber, Houston

“David is one of the best. A must read!” — Attorney Paul Spielvogel, The Woodlands

“What a great resource! “Attorney John Andrews, Dallas

“The best reference for need-to-know real estate law in Texas.” — Attorney Jason Kraus, Houston

“I frequently refer to this book. Extremely helpful.”Attorney Lisa Galvan, San Antonio

“A terrific resource!”Attorney Kathleen Crook, El Paso

“A great tool! Investors should have a copy of this book.”Attorney Paul Katz, Boulder

“Impressive. Benefits real estate investors and attorneys.”Attorney James Robert Smith, Houston

“Excellent! “Attorney J. Thomas Black, Houston

“A fantastic book for lawyers and all real estate professionals!”Attorney Kevin J. Smith, Houston

“Perfect for someone who wants to learn more about contracts, different types of deeds, creative transactions and asset protection strategies.” Attorney Richard Weaver, Houston

“Definitely helped when I took the board certification exams.”Attorney Derek Pershing, Houston