Houston Business & Commercial Law Blog

When Texas real estate developers consider new projects on the horizon, they may be influenced by the appeal of youth culture. Generation Z, which is the generation after the Millennials, includes people born in 1996 or later. While many of these individuals remain too young to be significant investors, buyers or tenants of commercial real estate properties, the oldest members are graduating from college, entering the workforce and developing their portfolios. In addition, youth appeal now can mean long-term viability for projects in the construction pipeline.

Some of the effects of youth culture may be seen in choices for retail developments. While much has been said about the rise of online shopping, young people continue to prefer mixed-use developments with a strongly walkable and urban feel even when they are located in traditionally suburban communities. These environments promote social gathering spaces that attract customers when online shopping does not. In addition, restaurants continue to be a primary driver of retail markets. Going out to eat can be an event that provides a unique social experience. However, food delivery services in the "gig economy" are also on the rise. Restaurants may consider expanded kitchen space and reduced dining areas in order to meet the demand for delivery.

Plaintiffs in Austin filed a lawsuit against a local dentist who allegedly collected funds for an investment opportunity and then ran off with the money. Investors were allegedly told that their thousands of dollars would be used to open multiple dental practices in Travis County. Plaintiffs also claimed that the dentist is not licensed yet and did not reveal that information when collecting funds for the investment. Plaintiffs claim that more than half a million dollars was stolen in the scam.

According to Texas State Board of Dental Examiners records, the defendant in the lawsuit surrendered his license after being accused of false advertising. His marketing materials stated that his practice had multiple elite providers when there was only one, and they also offered discounts and freebie services without disclosing actual prices.

The rewards of commercial real estate investing in Texas and around the country can be great, but navigating a profitable path around the pitfalls involved takes a combination of careful planning and a willingness to take risks when opportunities present themselves. Success in this area also requires an understanding of the commercial property market and familiarity with the terms and calculations experts use when assessing the merits of real estate deals.

The capitalization rate is perhaps the most important commercial real estate calculation. Cap rates reveal how much income a property generates relative to its value and can be a valuable tool when comparing investments. Usable and rentable square footage figures are also useful in these situations, and they can be calculated by deducting the space taken up by common areas like stairwells, hallways and corridors or adding shared areas such as lobbies and bathrooms.

Since the Defend Trade Secrets Act became law in 2016, companies in Texas have been able to take other parties to federal court when they detect misuse or theft of their trade secrets. Before the DTSA, trade secrets litigation went through state courts.

Companies have experienced an increasing need to protect their proprietary information. Digital technology has enabled people, particularly departing employees, to copy and share intellectual property easily. Low unemployment also gives workers greater freedom to move to new jobs, and companies have needed to defend their rights to trade secrets vigorously as employees come and go.