Commercial real estate leases are often one of the more significant expenses for a company. Moreover, the terms can be lengthy. Companies often find that their needs change over the course of the lease: the space is too big or too small; the company may need to...
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4 common pitfalls land developers should avoid
With its growing population and vibrant economy, Houston is ripe ground for eager developers seizing opportunities. However, in the pursuit of progress, many find themselves ensnared in avoidable pitfalls. 1. Ignoring zoning regulations One of the gravest errors a...
Commercial Real Estate trends to watch for in 2024
The Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited’s Commercial Property division issued its 45th edition of the annual trends report regarding the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. The national survey uses information from 2,000 CRE...
Protecting your business information during M&A negotiations is key
Buying, selling or merging a business should not happen without due diligence, which involves sharing sensitive information about the business. As negotiations progress, owners must provide increasingly detailed information about sensitive items such as customers and...
How series LLCs work
Starting businesses is a habit for some, particularly investors and entrepreneurs. Rather than starting each one from the ground up, it can make sense to use a series LLC. First available in Texas in 2009 but created in Delaware as early as 1996, series LLCs are...
Chris Hanno appointed to Real Estate Law Exam Commission
The Directors of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) recently announced that it appointed Stephenson Fournier partner Chris Hanno to its Real Estate Law Exam Commission. His three-year term runs from March 24, 2023, through February 1, 2026. Mr. Hanno will...
Determining the value of oil and gas leases
The Texas energy industry has a rich and colorful past, with wildcat rigs out searching for oil and gas in the first half of the 20th century. Fortunes were made in the old days by gambling if there was oil or gas and how much. Technology has refined exploration...
Proper planning avoids partnership disputes
It is unfortunate that many partnerships are doomed from the start or run into trouble down the line. Problems often arise over differing philosophies regarding growth strategy, branding and culture. While different but complementary skill sets are an asset, some...
The origins of Texas’ business-friendly reputation
One of the major attractions of Texas to businesses across the US and the rest of the world is its low tax burden. While it is easy to see how lower tax liability is attractive, few investors wonder why Texas is like that. The history of taxes in Texas offers a...
Houston is the 3rd largest industrial market in the first half of 2021
On August 11th, Houston’s growth as an industrial player received national attention once again. Coming in at $1.93 billion in transactions, the city of Houston is the third-largest industrial real estate market in the country. The report also notes that Dallas came...