Texas Laws on Out of State Investors

Texas Laws on Out of State Investors

Audrey SommerPro Member
Member since 2024 · 25 posts · 12 votes

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a texan resident that came up to Washington State to help the company I work at, train our team for a new product launch. I was picking his brain about the attitude and culture of the locals towards real estate investing and out of state investors. He told me the sentiment towards out of state investors isn't good. Texas as a whole bans texas homeowners from re-financing their home to fund investment properties in texas. He also said there are a couple counties in Texas (I forget the names), that ban out of staters from buying investment properties as well. 

Is anyone investing in texas (in long-term rentals) that knows about this and has experience with this? How true is this, and how could that affect my real estate strategy if I were to enter the Texas market as a Washington State resident? Anyone familiar with this that can help shed light, it's appreciated. Thanks! To me, this is a red flag.

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Greg ScottPro Member
Rental Property Investor · SE Michigan · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 6k+ votes
1y

Sounds like he was feeding you a line of garbage.  The idea of restricting what you do with your own cash, just because it was a refi, is probably unconstitutional.

I know a lot of people investing in Texas from both inside and outside Texas.  Never have I heard such a thing.

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  • Greg ScottPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · SE Michigan · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    1y

    Sounds like he was feeding you a line of garbage.  The idea of restricting what you do with your own cash, just because it was a refi, is probably unconstitutional.

    I know a lot of people investing in Texas from both inside and outside Texas.  Never have I heard such a thing.

  • Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    1y

    Did they know they were lying to you?


    Probably not a good person to hire, maybe let your bosses know. 

  • Investor · Corpus Christi, TX · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Absolute nonsense. None of that is true. 

  • Lender · TX · Member since 2024 · 308 posts · 197 votes
    1y

    Hi Audrey,

    I’m not sure where that information came from, but as a lender, we consistently help out-of-state investors purchase and refinance properties in Texas. It’s a very popular market for out-of-state investors.

  • Joe FunariBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Keller, TX · Member since 2017 · 850 posts · 825 votes
    1y

    @Audrey Sommer I have been an REI in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for over a decade. I have been a realtor for +8 years helping out-of-state investors buy and sell here successfully too. The work colleague you mentioned was definitely incorrect.

    First, Texas is one of the most landlord friendly states in terms of laws. So regardless of "sentiment" towards out-of-state investors you may have received from your work colleague its incorrect. 

    Second, Texas also allows Texas homeowners to do cash-out refinance their primary residence. You as a home owner can use the proceeds as you see fit. Also, you can get a HELOC on your primary residence and use the proceeds to purchase investment properties as well. Because I have personally done both and continue to do it to add to my portfolio. But recommended you also reach out a investor friendly lender. I personally use @Andrew Postell. He is my preferred lender, as well as, fellow investor  too. So connect with him. You did the right thing coming to BP and posting the question. Better to go right to the source. Andrew will give you some great guidance on investing in Texas regardless of your exit strategy.

    Also, no counties in Texas prohibit long term rentals. Some cities you need to register. But your colleague may have been confused about Short Term Rentals (STR). That is a different exit strategy altogether. But would recommend you start with Long Term Rentals first. I will be happy to help you with your search too. My contacts become my clients contacts. Regardless of your exit strategy better to have "Boots on Ground" wherever you invest. hope this helps.

  • Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Audrey Sommer:

    A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a texan resident that came up to Washington State to help the company I work at, train our team for a new product launch. I was picking his brain about the attitude and culture of the locals towards real estate investing and out of state investors. He told me the sentiment towards out of state investors isn't good. Texas as a whole bans texas homeowners from re-financing their home to fund investment properties in texas. He also said there are a couple counties in Texas (I forget the names), that ban out of staters from buying investment properties as well. 

    Is anyone investing in texas (in long-term rentals) that knows about this and has experience with this? How true is this, and how could that affect my real estate strategy if I were to enter the Texas market as a Washington State resident? Anyone familiar with this that can help shed light, it's appreciated. Thanks! To me, this is a red flag.

    He's trying to keep liberals from wanting to move to Texas. Lol.
  • Andrew PostellPro Member
    Lender · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    1y

    @Audrey Sommer you have some good comments above (and some funny ones too) but just to confirm, what you were told is not accurate.  Texas does NOT ban homeowners from refinancing their home to fund investment properties. And there are no counties that ban out of state investors buying investment properties.  

    Thanks for posting of course but feel free to reach out with anything else.

    @Joe Funari thanks for the mention.

  • Kyle MccawBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Keller, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    @Audrey Sommer 

    You’ve been given some completely inaccurate information. I’m a real estate investor and the owner of a fairly large property management firm here in Texas. A significant number of my clients are from out of state, including many from Washington State and California. There are no restrictions preventing out-of-state investors from purchasing rental properties in Texas—these investors enjoy the same opportunities as Texas residents.

    Additionally, the financing restrictions you mentioned don’t align with reality. Texas does have specific rules regarding home equity loans and cash-out refinancing (often referred to as "Texas Equity Section 50(a)(6)"), but these don’t prohibit homeowners from using funds for investment properties. If you’re interested in investing here, I’d encourage you to speak with a knowledgeable local real estate professional or lender to get accurate guidance. For financing, I recommend you reach out to @Andrew Postell

    McCaw Property Management4.4909 Reviews
  • Audrey SommerPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2024 · 25 posts · 12 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Julia Lyrberg:

    Hi Audrey,

    I’m not sure where that information came from, but as a lender, we consistently help out-of-state investors purchase and refinance properties in Texas. It’s a very popular market for out-of-state investors.


     ok that's great to hear, thanks Julia!

  • Audrey SommerPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2024 · 25 posts · 12 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ken M.:
    Quote from @Audrey Sommer:

    A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a texan resident that came up to Washington State to help the company I work at, train our team for a new product launch. I was picking his brain about the attitude and culture of the locals towards real estate investing and out of state investors. He told me the sentiment towards out of state investors isn't good. Texas as a whole bans texas homeowners from re-financing their home to fund investment properties in texas. He also said there are a couple counties in Texas (I forget the names), that ban out of staters from buying investment properties as well. 

    Is anyone investing in texas (in long-term rentals) that knows about this and has experience with this? How true is this, and how could that affect my real estate strategy if I were to enter the Texas market as a Washington State resident? Anyone familiar with this that can help shed light, it's appreciated. Thanks! To me, this is a red flag.

    He's trying to keep liberals from wanting to move to Texas. Lol.

     maybe lol. we were talking about politics and I'm not a liberal... lol

  • Audrey SommerPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2024 · 25 posts · 12 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Kyle Mccaw:

    @Audrey Sommer 

    You’ve been given some completely inaccurate information. I’m a real estate investor and the owner of a fairly large property management firm here in Texas. A significant number of my clients are from out of state, including many from Washington State and California. There are no restrictions preventing out-of-state investors from purchasing rental properties in Texas—these investors enjoy the same opportunities as Texas residents.

    Additionally, the financing restrictions you mentioned don’t align with reality. Texas does have specific rules regarding home equity loans and cash-out refinancing (often referred to as "Texas Equity Section 50(a)(6)"), but these don’t prohibit homeowners from using funds for investment properties. If you’re interested in investing here, I’d encourage you to speak with a knowledgeable local real estate professional or lender to get accurate guidance. For financing, I recommend you reach out to @Andrew Postell


     Thanks Kyle for the advice!

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