Becoming a Hard Money Lender without a License in TX?

[Mark Andrews]

I am looking to get into Hard Money Lending but don't really know where to start. From what I understand, it is not required to be licensed in TX to do Hard Money? If that is true, how can you legally claim the 1st lien position on the property if the borrower defaults? That's really the only thing that worries me - placing an invalid lien on the property or having the lien undone somehow. Is it really as simple as just "filing a promissory note" like every attorney I've talked to claims? There has to be more to it than that, right? 

Also, does anyone know any Hard Money lending attorneys in the Houston area that specifically deal with Hard Money loans? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!