Seller wants to keep the mineral rights in Fort Worth TX.

[Camille Waldon]

First time investors here. Looking into a property where the seller wants to retain the mineral rights to the property. It’s a house in a populated neighborhood where there isn’t a current exploration or drilling activity that I can find online. (We’re out of state investors, not local). What should our concerns be and is hiring an attorney with expertise in this area necessary?

[Kyle Mccaw]

It is normal in Texas for the seller to retain minerals. If the property is in a neighborhood, it is very likely the seller doesn't actually have the mineral rights anyway. The transfer or retention of mineral rights is a simple check box on the standard TREC contract. Even if a well is drilled that produces royalties, it won't be enough $ to give much thought to it. You would need serious acreage to amount to a real paycheck. Your agent should be able to answer this for you.