David and Linda own a homestead in Texas valued at $350,000 with no existing liens. A contractor installs new kitchen cabinets but did not obtain a written contract signed by both spouses before beginning work. Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50, can the contractor place a mechanic's lien on the homestead?
Correct Answer
D) No, because a mechanic's lien on a Texas homestead requires a written contract signed by both spouses before work begins
Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(a)(5) and Texas Property Code §53.254, a mechanic's lien on a homestead is valid only if the homeowner entered into a prior written contract for the improvements. If the homestead is owned by a married couple, both spouses must sign the contract before work begins.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Tx Specific Financing Question
Background Knowledge for Tx Specific Financing
Real World Application in Tx Specific Financing
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Tx Specific Financing Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
A VA loan is a mortgage guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. It offers no down payment and no private mortgage insurance requirements.
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) has an interest rate that changes periodically based on market conditions, typically after an initial fixed-rate period. The rate adjustment is tied to a financial index plus a margin.
Closing costs are the fees and expenses paid by the buyer and seller at the closing of a real estate transaction, beyond the purchase price. They typically range from 2-5% of the purchase price.
More Tx Specific Financing Questions
A Texas reverse mortgage borrower has a homestead valued at $300,000 with no existing liens. Under the 80% LTV rule, the lender offers a reverse mortgage equal to 50% of the maximum allowed. How much will the borrower receive?
A veteran purchases a home in San Antonio for $320,000 using a VA loan with no down payment. The VA funding fee is 2.15% for a first-time VA borrower with no down payment. If the veteran finances the funding fee into the loan, what is the total loan amount secured by a deed of trust?
A buyer in Dallas is purchasing a home for $240,000 using an FHA loan with 3.5% down. The annual MIP rate is 0.55% of the base loan amount. What is the monthly mortgage insurance premium for the first month?
A Texas homeowner takes out a home equity loan and later wants to refinance it. Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(f), how long must the homeowner wait after the original home equity loan was closed before refinancing?
A Texas homeowner applies for a home equity loan on March 1 and receives the required disclosure notice the same day. The lender wants to close as quickly as possible. Under Texas law, what is the earliest the lender can disburse the loan proceeds after closing?
- → A Texas property owner defaults on both a first mortgage and a second-lien home equity loan. The first mortgage lender forecloses and sells the property at the trustee's sale. Under Texas law, what happens to the second-lien home equity loan?
- → Under Texas foreclosure law, a property is sold at a trustee's sale on the first Tuesday of the month. The winning bidder pays the full purchase price. Under Texas Property Code, when does the bidder receive a trustee's deed?
- → In Texas, the standard security instrument for real estate loans is a deed of trust rather than a mortgage. Which parties are involved in a Texas deed of trust?
- → Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(a)(6), a home equity loan on a Texas homestead must comply with numerous constitutional requirements. All of the following are required provisions of a Texas home equity loan EXCEPT:
- → Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50, all of the following liens may be enforced against a Texas homestead EXCEPT:
- → A Texas homeowner closes on a home equity loan on January 15. The loan proceeds are not actually disbursed until January 18, three days after closing. The borrower exercises the right of rescission on January 26. Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(a)(6), is this rescission timely?
- → A Texas lender fails to cure a constitutional defect in a home equity loan within the required timeframe. The borrower files a lawsuit. Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(a)(6)(Q)(x), what is the potential penalty for the lender's failure to cure?
- → A Texas lender makes a home equity loan that violates one of the requirements of Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(a)(6). After the loan is made, the lender discovers the violation. Under Texas law, the lender has how many days to cure the defect after being notified by the borrower?
- → A Texas homeowner obtained a home equity loan that violated the constitutional requirements under Article XVI, Section 50(a)(6). The lender claims it did not know about the violation. The borrower sends a written notice of the defect to the lender. Under Texas law, which of the following correctly describes the cure and forfeiture process?
- → A Texas homeowner wants to add an addition to the home. The contractor's total bid is $85,000. Which of the following must be completed BEFORE work begins for the contractor to have a valid mechanic's lien on the homestead?
People Also Study
Buyer Representation Agreement
8% of exam
Property Ownership
10% of exam
Land Use Controls and Regulations
8% of exam
Valuation and Market Analysis
10% of exam
Previous Question
A Texas homeowner wants to convert an existing home equity loan into a non-home equity loan. Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(f)(2), what conditions must be met?
Next Question
Rachel, a single homeowner in Austin, Texas, takes out a home equity loan on her homestead. The lender schedules the closing at Rachel's kitchen table with a notary present. Under Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 50(a)(6), is this closing location permitted?