(a) A written agreement between a contractor and a homeowner may provide that, if the reasonable cost of repairs necessary to repair a construction defect that is the responsibility of the contractor exceeds an agreed percentage of the current fair market value of the residence, as determined without reference to the construction defects, then, in an action subject to this chapter, the contractor may elect as an alternative to the damages specified in § 27.004(g) that the contractor who sold the residence to the homeowner purchase it.
(b) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 441 (H.B. 2022), Sec. 8(2), eff. September 1, 2023.

Terms Used In Texas Property Code 27.0042

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) If a contractor elects to purchase the residence under Subsection (a):
(1) the contractor shall pay the original purchase price of the residence and closing costs incurred by the homeowner and the cost of transferring title to the contractor under the election;
(2) the homeowner may recover:
(A) reasonable and necessary attorney’s and expert fees as identified in § 27.004(g);
(B) reimbursement for permanent improvements the owner made to the residence after the date the owner purchased the residence from the builder; and
(C) reasonable costs to move from the residence; and
(3) conditioned on the payment of the purchase price, the homeowner shall tender a special warranty deed to the contractor, free of all liens and claims to liens as of the date the title is transferred to the contractor, and without damage caused by the homeowner.
(d) An offer to purchase a claimant’s home that complies with this section is considered reasonable absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.