Appellant, Mark McCoy, filed this action to set aside a deed conveyed pursuant to an execution sale of real property that he previously owned. McCoy brings this appeal to challenge the summary judgment rendered in favor of appellees, Renee Rogers and Timothy Rogers, who purchased the property at the sale. McCoy presents a broad issue contending that the trial court erred by rendering summary judgment. 1 In two additional issues, McCoy contends that the sheriffs execution sale should be set aside (1) because of lack of compliance with the notice provisions of rules 687 and 647 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, (2) because he was not notified of the sale at his home address, and (3) because the Rogerses purchased the property at half its fair market value. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural Background
This dispute concerns property, a house, located at 1736 Crownover in the Spring Branch Oaks subdivision in Houston (the property). McCoy owned the property before the sheriffs sale challenged here; the Rogerses owned the property adjacent to McCoy’s. Neither party used the respective properties as a primary residence. The Rogerses had previously sued McCoy for maintaining a nuisance on his property, which the City of Houston had boarded up and declared dangerous. As a result of that action, Cause No.2002-60912, Tim Rogers and Renee Rogers v. Mark Alan McCoy (the underlying case), the parties executed and endorsed an agreed final judgment, which the trial court signed on December 16, 2003.
The agreed judgment awarded the Rog-erses $25,000, plus $6,000 in attorney’s fees, but recites that the Rоgerses would forbear execution until February 14, 2004 to enable McCoy to perform needed repairs and improvements to the property and thus reduce the $25,000 indebtedness. To that end, the agreed judgment provided that if McCoy made the repairs and improvements specified in the judgment by February 14, 2004, he would receive a specified credit for those repairs, against the $25,000 judgment amount. If McCoy completed all the repairs, he would receive an additional credit of $1,500. 2 But, the agreed judgment also provided that if McCoy did not complete the specified repairs by February 14, 2004, the Rogerses
without further Court Order or notice to [McCoy] shall be entitled to (i) seek to have issued a writ of execution; (ii) such other and further remedies as allowed by law to enforce and collect such judgment in favor of [the Rogerses].
In addition to the credits stipulated for repairs and improvements, the agreed judgment recites that the Rogerses would provide McCoy an additional $0.50 credit for every $1.00 that the Rogerses received “upon the sale [of their adjacent property] ... that is above $120,000; provided, however, that once the [agreed judgment] has been reduced to $6,000 by either payments
The summary judgment evidence shows that the Rogerses met at the property with McCoy and a representative of the civic association for the Spring Branch Oaks subdivision on February 16, 2004, two days after the compliance date stated in the agreed judgment. The Rogerses’ counsel in the underlying case was alsо present. As a result of the meeting, it was determined that the repairs and improvements specified in the agreed judgment had not been made. The Rogerses requested a writ of execution on the following day, and they filed an abstract of the underlying judgment on March 2, 2004. 3
The writ of execution issued on April 1, 2004. The office of Harris County Constable Glen Cheek published notice in the Daily Court Review newspaper and notified all parties by certified mail that execution sale of the property would take place on June 1, 2004. See Tex.R. Civ. P. 647. Thе summary judgment record includes a copy of a postal notice, dated May 7, 2004 and delivered to McCoy at the property address, reporting an attempted delivery of a certified letter from Constable Cheek on May 7, 2004, which was available for pick-up after May 8, 2004. 4 At the sheriffs sale on June 1, 2004, the Rogerses purchased the property for $28,000 and subsequently obtained a deed reflecting their ownership.
On December 29, 2004, McCoy filed this action to set aside the sale and the deed and sought injunctive and declaratory relief. McCoy’s live pleadings deny defaulting on the repairs and improvements required by the agreed judgment. Despite the express terms of the agreed judgment, which set the deadline date for completing all repairs and improvements at February 14, 2004 and authorized the Rogerses to seek execution without “further Court Order or notice to [McCoy],” McCoy also claimed that he was “entitled to notice” of the sale, that he had no knowledge of the sale until August 2004, and that irregularities in the sale amounted to wrongful execution that warranted setting aside the sale and resulting deed to the Rogerses.
The Rogerses filed a motion for traditional summary judgment and supplemented their motion three times after McCoy amended his pleadings. They also filed a no-evidence motion for summary judgment after McCoy amended his pleading to allege that the Rogerses’ conduct constituted fraud calculated to ensure that he not receive notice of the execution sale. The record before us does not contain a response by McCoy to the no-evidence motion. After conducting an oral hearing to consider the parties’ arguments, the trial court rendered summary judgment for the Rogerses. A final judgment was rendered in their favor after resolving their claims for attorney’s fees. McCoy filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied by written order.
Standard of Review
We review summary judgments de novo.
Valence Operating Co. v. Dorsett,
Rule 166a also authorizes summary judgment on no-evidence grounds. Tex.R. Crv. P. 166a(i). A trial court must grant a no-evidence motion for summary judgment if (1) the moving party’s motion asserts that there is no evidence of one or more specified elements of a claim or defense on which the adverse party would have the burden of proof at trial; and (2) the adverse party produces no summаry judgment evidence that raises a genuine issue of material fact on those elements.
See id.; Sudan v. Sudan,
In reviewing a no-evidence summary judgment, we continue to аpply the well-settled standards by which we assume all evidence favorable to the non-movant is true, and we indulge every reasonable inference and resolve all doubts in favor of the non-movant.
See
Tex.R. Civ. P. 166a(i) and cmt. to 1997 change;
Sudan,
When, as here, a summary judgment does not specify the grounds on which it was granted, the appealing party must demonstrate on appeal that none of the proposed grounds is sufficient to support the judgment.
See Star-Telegram, Inc. v. Doe,
We will affirm the judgment if any one of the theories advanced in the motion is meritorious and defeats a cause of action.
See Joe v. Two Thirty Nine Joint Venture,
A. No-Evidence Summary Judgment
As required by rule 166a(i), the Rogerses’ motion seeking summary judgment on McCoy’s fraud claims listed each of the elements that McCoy would have to prove in order to prevail at trial on his claim that they fraudulently contrived to ensure that he was provided notice of the execution sale at the property, rather than at his residence.
See
Tex.R. Civ. P. 166a(i). The Rogerses argued that no evidence existed on which McCoy could rely to prove any element of his fraud claim against them. McCoy did not file a re
As authorized by
Malooly Bros., Inc. v. Napier,
The challenging party must аlso, however, present those arguments and supporting authority in order to merit reversal.
See Wortham v. Dow Chem. Co.,
The settled law that we apply here precludes our reversing a judgment for a reason not raised in a point of error.
See Walling v. Metcalfe,
Despite McCoy’s broad
Malooly
challenge, therefore, and in accordance with
Walling
and
Vawter
and this Court’s holding in
Maranatha Temple,
B. Traditional Summary Judgment
McCoy’s two specific issues on appeal challenge whether the Rogerses established that they were entitled to summary judgment on their contention that the agreed judgment in the underlying case authorized them to execute against the property. McCoy first contends, in issue two, that he was entitled tо notice of the constable’s sale and that failure to notify him constituted an irregularity that warrants setting aside the sale. 7 In issue three, McCoy argues that lack of notice at his residence address, where the Rogerses had previously served him with notice, and inadequacy of the sale amount combined to warrant setting aside the sale. We address these issues together.
1. The Rogerses’ Rule 166a(c) Motion
In moving for traditional summary judgment, the Rogerses relied principally on the terms of the agreed judgment, which had become final and had not been appealed. They argued that they proceeded as authorized by and in accordance with the agreed judgment, which they and McCoy had endorsed as to form and substance, and the terms of which had a definite legal meaning. The Rogerses emphasized, in particular, that the terms of the agreed judgment authorized execution without further court order or notice to McCoy.
The Rogerses provided three affidavits in support of their motion. A representative of the Spring Branch Oaks subdivision, Lois Stromberg, and their counsel in the underlying сase, Jay Dushkin, both described the meeting at the property on February 16, 2004, at which McCoy was also present. McCoy does not dispute that he was present during this meeting, which took place one day before the Rogerses initiated the execution proceedings. During this meeting, it was determined that McCoy had not completed the repairs and improvements required by the agreed judgment. In his affidavit, Stromberg stated that “a few of the repairs [had been] started,” but none were completed. In addition, Stromberg reported that he confronted McCoy and asked him directly whether he had completed any of the repairs, and that McCoy “indicated that he had not.” Dushkin also averred that no repairs contemplated by the agreed judgment had been made and that none of the credits contemplated by the agreed judgment were due McCoy as of February 16,
The Rogerses’ summary judgment evidence also included a copy of a sworn statement that McCoy had filed in support of an appraisal hearing before the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) on August 30, 2004, two months after the Rog-erses purchased the property at execution, as well as copies of HCAD documents relating to the hearing. These documents show thаt McCoy estimated the market value of the property at $30,000. In addition, McCoy described the property as follows: “water pipes in ceiling busted; roof leaks; wood rot; dwg [sic] boarded.” 8
The Rogerses contended they were entitled to summary judgment under the substantive law because the price paid at execution was not inadequate and there were no flaws in the execution process that would invalidate the sale. With respect to McCoy’s claim of lack of notice, the Rog-erses argued that therе had been compliance with rule 647 and that they had relied on the constable in accomplishing notice. They concluded their motion by referring to the Texas policy that favors sustaining execution sales. 9
2. McCoy’s Response
In the affidavit that accompanied his single response to the Rogerses’ initial motion for traditional summary judgment, McCoy averred that he had never resided at the property, which he had owned for 15 years, but lived instead at a different address that was known to the Rogerses because they served him with process аt that address in the underlying case. 10 McCoy denied receiving any timely notice, to which he maintained he was entitled, despite the terms of the agreed judgment, and stated that he was not aware of the execution sale until August 2004. McCoy disputed the Rogerses’ contention that he waived notice of execution by the terms of the agreed judgment and argued that those terms applied only to the Rogerses’ decision to “seek” execution. He claimed that fact issues concerning irregularities in the sale process precluded summary judgment in favor of the Rogerses.
To Set Aside Sale, Irregularities Must Result in Grossly Inadequate Price
It is the policy of the law to sustain execution sales, rather than to set them aside based on “mere irregularities occurring in the procedure by which those sales are made.”
Burnam v. Blocker,
A. Rule 647 Notice
Compliance with the notice requirements for execution, whether contained in a deed of trust or as required by statute, is a prerequisite to the right of the trustee or sheriff to make the sale.
Houston First Am. Sav. v. Musick,
In
Apex Financial,
on which the Rog-erses relied in the trial court in seeking traditional summary judgment, a former owner of property who sought to set aside a sheriffs sale made pursuant to a judgment lien, prevailed on that claim by summary judgment, which the purchaser at the sale appealed.
We apply the same contract-interpretation principles to the agreed judgment in this case.
See Gulf Ins. Co. v. Burns Motors, Inc.,
As excerpted in full above, the express terms of the agreed judgment set February 14, 2004 as the default date for McCoy to complete the repairs and improvements listed in the agreed judgment. Failure to complete them authorized the Rogerses to seek execution without “further Court Order or notice to [McCoy]” and, in addition, any other legal remedies for collection and enforcement. We agree with the Rogerses that McCoy waived notice of execution based on this provision. The underlying case that resulted in the agreed judgment was an action brought by the Rogerses and based on claims that the blighted condition of the McCoy property constituted a nuisance that adversely affected the market value of their аdjacent property. The Rogerses prevailed on those claims. The agreed judgment had a twofold purpose, as follows: (1) to “enter judgment in favor of [the Rogerses] and against [McCoy] and the McCoy property,” but (2) to “forbear obtaining a writ of execution on the judgment” pending McCoy’s completing the repairs and improvements listed in the agreed judgment by February 14, 2004, for which McCoy would receive stated credits against the judgment. (Emphasis added.) The agreement further provided that if McCoy filed a petition in bankruptcy or was brought involuntarily into bankruptcy, the Rogers-es cоuld immediately abstract the judgment and seek collection.
Construing the agreed judgment as a whole, as we must, we conclude that it served to defer the Rogerses’ right to execute, but only temporarily and pending McCoy’s compliance. We further conclude that, by endorsing the agreed judgment as to form and substance, McCoy acceded to the terms authorizing the Rogerses to seek not only execution without “further Court Order or notice to [McCoy],” but also, any other legal remedies for collection and enforcement, and thereby waived the notice that he contends he was entitled to by rule 647. Having reached these conclusions,
We overrule McCoy’s second issue.
B. Grossly Inadequate Price
As settled law recognizes, to set aside the constable’s sale and subsequent deed to the Rogerses, McCoy had to establish both technical irregularities in the sale and an inadequate price that results from those technical irregularities.
See Musick,
We overrule McCoy’s third issue.
Conclusion
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Notes
.
See Malooly Bros., Inc. v. Napier,
. In addition to cleaning and maintaining the yard of the property, clearing away debris, and mowing the front and back lawns of the property every two weeks, the judgment listed ten additional categories of specific repairs and improvements to the interior and exterior of the property. The repairs and improve-merits included roof repair, replacement of deteriorated fascia boards, replacing windows currently covered by plywood and installing mini-blinds on the interior, painting, and repairing and replacing fencing, all of which had to conform to subdivision guidelines. The repairs and improvements had a total credit value of $15,000.
. The terms of the agreed judgment authorized the Rogerses to abstract the judgment.
. MсCoy's trial counsel provided the notice of attempted delivery for the certified letter on November 4 or 5, 2004. Counsel’s letter reporting the notice states that McCoy discovered the notice at the property after he learned of the June 1, 2004 execution sale.
. See also Tex.R.App. P. 38.1(h) (current rule requiring that appellant’s brief contain clear, concise argument for contentions asserted); Tex.R.App. P. 38.1(e) (current rule requiring that appellant’s brief state all issues and points presented for review; further requiring thаt this Court consider statement of issue "as covering every subsidiary question that is fairly included”).
. This disposition does not end our analysis because the Rogerses' no-evidence motion addressed only McCoy’s fraud claims.
Compare Maranatha Temple, Inc. v. Enter. Prods. Co.,
. As part of issues two and three, McCoy contends that he was not provided the opportunity to “point out propеrty to be levied upon,” as required by rule 637.
See
Tex.R. Civ. P. 637;
Collum v. DeLoughter,
. The Rogerses filed supplements to their motion in response to McCoy’s amended pleadings, and in response to his objections to some of their summary judgment evidence. McCoy did not preserve any evidentiary objections, however, and presents no evidentiary challenges on appeal.
. The Rogerses did not, however, as they do on appeal, contend that McCoy's failure to tender the amount owed pursuant to the agreed judgment precludes his attempt to set aside the constablе's sale. Because they did not raise this contention in the trial court in support of their motion for summary judgment, they may not raise it on appeal.
See
Tex.R. Civ. P. 166a(c);
Clear Creek Basin Auth.,
.After making this assertion in his affidavit, McCoy amended his pleadings to allege fraud by the Rogerses in seeking to prevent notice to him of the execution sale. As addressed above, we decline to address any contentions related to McCoy's fraud claims.
. We note that the notice provisions of section 51.002(d) of the Property Code, which governs sale of real property pursuant to "a deed of trust or other contract lien,” do not apply to the execution pursuant to judgment at issue here. See Tex. Prop.Code Ann. § 51.002(a), (d) (Vernon 2007).
