A refinance of debt secured by a homestead and described by any subsection under Subsections (a)(1)-(a)(5) of Section 50 of the Texas Constitution that includes the advance of additional funds may not be secured by a valid lien against the homestead unless: (1) the refinance of the debt is an extension of credit described by Subsection (a)(6) or (a)(7) of Section 50 of the Texas Constitution; or (2) the advance of all the additional funds is for reasonable costs necessary to refinance such debt or for a purpose described by Subsection (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(5) of Section 50 of the Texas Constitution.

1. (1) Reasonableness and necessity of costs relate to the type and amount of the costs.
2. (2) In a secondary mortgage loan, reasonable costs are those costs which are lawful in light of the governing or applicable law that authorizes the assessment of particular costs. In the context of other mortgage loans, reasonable costs are those costs which are lawful in light of other governing or applicable law.
3. (3) Reasonable and necessary costs to refinance may include reserves or impounds (escrow trust accounts) for taxes and insurance, if the reserves comply with applicable law.

Source Note:The provisions of this §153.41 adopted to be effective January 8, 2004, 29 TexReg 84.