This section tells the court how to handle a court-ordered sale of heirs' property, including when to use an open-market sale, when sealed bids or an auction may be used, and how a broker must conduct the sale.
Sec. 23A.010. OPEN-MARKET SALE, SEALED BIDS, OR AUCTION. (a) If the court orders a sale of heirs' property, the sale must be an open-market sale unless the court finds that a sale by sealed bids or at an auction would be more economically advantageous and in the best interest of the cotenants as a group. (b) If the court orders an open-market sale and the parties, not later than the 10th day after the date the order is entered, agree on a real estate broker to offer the property for sale, the court shall appoint the broker and establish a reasonable commission. If the parties do not agree on a broker, the court shall appoint a disinterested real estate broker to offer the property for sale and shall establish a reasonable commission. The broker shall offer the property for sale in a commercially reasonable manner at a price no lower than the determination of value and on the terms and conditions established by the court. (c) If the broker appointed under Subsection (b) obtains within a reasonable time an offer to purchase the property for at least the determination of value: (1) the broker shall comply with the reporting requirements of Section 23A.011; and (2) the sale may be completed in accordance with state law other than this chapter. (d) If the broker appointed under Subsection (b) does not obtain within a reasonable time an offer to purchase the property for at least the determination of value, the court, after hearing, may: (1) approve the highest outstanding offer, if any; (2) redetermine the value of the property and order that the property continue to be offered for an additional time; or (3) order that the property be sold by sealed bids or at an auction. (e) If the court orders a sale by sealed bids or at an auction, the court shall set terms and conditions of the sale. If the court orders an auction, the auction must be conducted in the manner provided by law for a sale made under execution. (f) If a purchaser is entitled to a share of the proceeds of the sale, the purchaser is entitled to a credit against the price in an amount equal to the purchaser's share of the proceeds. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 297 (S.B. 499), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.