By Judon Fambrough Condemnation is the right to take private property for public use.
Eminent domain is the power to take private property for a public purpose.
Only entities with the power of eminent domain can condemn property. The following quiz tests how much is known about the process. The questions come from the Real Estate Center report Understanding the Condemnation Process in Texas, publication No. 394. Before a court can be petitioned to condemn land, the condemnor must make a bona fide effort to purchase the property. The location of an easement sought for condemnation is basically left to the discretion of the condemnor.