Episode Summary:

Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In Episode 81, we sit down with Grant Harpold, distinguished attorney, legal counsel for the Houston Association of Realtors, and Partner at Buck Keenan LLP, to dive into crucial legal and practical updates every real estate agent, buyer, and seller needs to know.

We discuss the newly proposed FEMA flood maps for Harris County, the intricacies of flood insurance, and best practices for completing Seller's Disclosure Notices. Grant also breaks down the nuances of navigating showing agreements with unrepresented buyers, strict contract deadlines, and recent national litigation surrounding RESPA rules and referral fees. Tune in to get the facts, stay informed, and keep moving toward real estate success!

In this episode, you will learn:

✔️ How to Navigate the New Harris County FEMA Flood Maps: Learn about the newly proposed, post-Harvey flood maps for Harris County and why it is critical for buyers to consult them before purchasing or remodeling a property.

✔️ The Critical Rules for Flood Insurance and Seller's Disclosure Notices: Discover why buyers should line up flood insurance well in advance due to a 30-day waiting period, how to check if a seller's current policy is transferable, and why listing agents must ensure every box and explanation on a Seller's Disclosure Notice is thoroughly completed by the seller to avoid lawsuits.

✔️ When to Use a Showing Agreement (Form 1508): Understand the specific scenarios where an agent needs a showing agreement for unrepresented buyers, its 14-day non-exclusive limit, its lack of a fee compensation field, and when it is necessary to transition to a full Buyer Representation Agreement.

✔️ Why "Time is of the Essence" is a Hard Deadline: Get a clear reminder that contract deadlines regarding earnest money and option periods are strictly enforced as hard dates and are non-negotiable.

Connect with Grant Harpold: Grant Harpold is a Partner at Buck Keenan LLP, where he frequently represents corporations, businesses, and individuals in real estate and complex litigation matters. You can reach him through the following contact methods:

Email: gharpold@buckkeenan.com
Direct Phone: 713.546.2431
Firm Phone: 713.225.4500
Office Address: 2229 San Felipe, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77019

Listen to the full episode now:

https://the-real-in-real-estate.captivate.fm/listen