Court Opinion

ID: 4352559
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-12-20 12:02:01.117381+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:54.267818
License: Public Domain

AFFIRM; and Opinion Filed December 19, 2018.

                                                                     In The
                                            Court of Appeals
                                     Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                                          No. 05-17-01393-CV

                WOODHAVEN DR. 1401 LAND TRUST, Appellant
                                    V.
CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE
                 OF NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST VI,1 Appellee

                                  On Appeal from the 416th Judicial District Court
                                               Collin County, Texas
                                      Trial Court Cause No. 416-02540-2016

                                            MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                    Before Justices Lang-Miers, Fillmore, and Myers
                                              Opinion by Justice Fillmore

           This case involves the priority of competing liens on foreclosed real property. Woodhaven

Dr. 1401 Land Trust (Woodhaven) appeals the trial court’s order denying its motion for summary

judgment and granting the motion for summary judgment filed by Citibank, N.A., Not In Its

Individual Capacity, but Solely As Trustee of NRZ Pass-Through Trust VI (Citibank). In a single

issue, Woodhaven contends the trial court erred in determining Woodhaven’s lien was subordinate

to Citibank’s lien and granting summary judgment in favor of Citibank. We affirm the trial court’s

judgment.

     1
        Woodhaven incorrectly designated Bank of America, N.A. (BOA) as appellee. Although BOA filed the original petition in this lawsuit, the
trial court granted BOA’s motion to substitute Citibank, N.A., Not In Its Individual Capacity, but Solely As Trustee of NRZ Pass-Through Trust
VI (Citibank) as the plaintiff. Citibank filed the motion for summary judgment that is the subject of this appeal, and the trial court granted summary
judgment, including declaratory relief, in favor of Citibank.
                                                                 Background

           In December 2002, Daniel and Diana Budd (Budds) purchased real property at 1401

Woodhaven Drive, McKinney, Texas (Property), and executed a deed of trust in favor of

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (Countrywide) to secure a note in the amount of $198,000.00. The

deed of trust was filed in the Collin County public records. This lien was released in 2003. On

April 4, 2007, the Budds executed a Texas Home Equity Note in favor of Countrywide, in the sum

of $400,000.00 (the Note). The Note was secured by a “Texas Home Equity Security Instrument

(First Lien)” encumbering the Property (First Lien Deed of Trust), which was recorded in the

Collin County public records.2 Countrywide, via its nominee Mortgage Electronic Registration

Systems, Inc. (MERS), assigned the First Lien Deed of Trust to Bank of America, N.A. (BOA) on

September 20, 2012, which assignment was recorded in the Collin County public records. On May

3, 2016, BOA assigned the First Lien Deed of Trust to Citibank; that assignment was recorded in

the Collin County public records. Citibank thereby is the assignee and beneficiary of the First

Lien Deed of Trust.

           The Property was subject to a homeowner’s association (HOA) declaration of covenants,

conditions and restrictions (the Declaration), which was recorded in the Collin County public

records. The Declaration required each homeowner to pay HOA assessments, and created an

assessment lien securing the homeowner’s obligation to pay such assessments. The Budds failed

to pay certain HOA assessments, and the HOA enforced the assessment lien by foreclosing on the

Property on January 5, 2016. Woodhaven purchased the Property at the HOA foreclosure sale. A

Substitute Trustee’s Deed was recorded in the Collin County public records.

      2
        Several post-2002 liens on the Property existed and were released prior to execution of the Note and First Lien Deed of Trust that are subjects
of this appeal. Those released liens are not at issue in this appeal.

                                                                        –2–
       BOA filed suit against Woodhaven on June 14, 2016, seeking to quiet title to the Property

and for declaratory judgment that its First Lien Deed of Trust was valid, the First Lien Deed of

Trust was superior to the assessment lien, and BOA held clear title to the Property. Citibank was

substituted as plaintiff on February 6, 2017. On July 20, 2017, Citibank filed a traditional motion

for summary judgment to quiet title to the Property and for a declaration that Citibank’s First Lien

Deed of Trust was valid, Citibank held the superior lien encumbering the Property, and any interest

Woodhaven held in the Property was subject to Citibank’s lien. On August 16, 2017, Woodhaven

filed a counter petition seeking to quiet title to the Property in its favor, a response to Citibank’s

motion for summary judgment, and a cross-motion for traditional summary judgment. The trial

court granted summary judgment, including declaratory relief, in favor of Citibank on September

8, 2017. Woodhaven’s motion for new trial was denied by operation of law. This appeal followed.

                                       Standard of Review

       We review the trial court’s ruling on a motion for summary judgment de novo. Exxon

Mobil Corp. v. Rincones, 520 S.W.3d 572, 579 (Tex. 2017). To prevail on a traditional motion for

summary judgment, the moving party has the burden to demonstrate that no genuine issue of

material fact exists and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Nassar v. Liberty Mut.

Fire Ins. Co., 508 S.W.3d 254, 257 (Tex. 2017) (per curiam). Once the moving party produces

sufficient evidence to establish its right to judgment, the burden shifts to the non–movant to come

forward with competent controverting evidence sufficient to raise a genuine issue of material fact.

Stanfield v. Neubaum, 494 S.W.3d 90, 97 (Tex. 2016); Leonard v. Knight, 551 S.W.3d 905, 909

(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2018, no pet.). “When both parties move for summary judgment

and the trial court grants one motion and denies the other, we review all the summary judgment

evidence, determine all questions presented, and render the judgment the trial court should have.”

                                                 –3–
Lightning Oil Co. v. Anadarko E&P Onshore, LLC, 520 S.W.3d 39, 45 (Tex. 2017) (quoting

Merriman v. XTO Energy, Inc., 407 S.W.3d 244, 248 (Tex. 2013)).

                                          Suit to Quiet Title

        A suit to quiet title is an equitable remedy intended to clarify ownership and remove any

cloud on title to property. See Essex Crane Rental Corp. v. Carter, 371 S.W.3d 366, 388 (Tex.

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012, pet. denied). “A cloud on title exists when an outstanding claim

or encumbrance is shown, which on its face, if valid, would affect or impair the title of the owner

of the property.” Id. If a plaintiff prevails in a suit to quiet title, the defendant’s claim to title is

invalid. Id.

        To prevail in a suit to quiet title, a plaintiff must prove: (1) he has an interest in the

property, (2) title to the property is affected by a claim by the defendant, and (3) the claim, although

facially valid, is invalid or unenforceable. Montenegro v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, 419
S.W.3d 561, 572 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2013, pet. denied). A suit to quiet title relies on the

invalidity of the defendant’s claim to the property. See Carter, 371 S.W.3d at 388. The plaintiff

has the burden of providing the proof necessary to establish his superior equity and right to relief.

Id. The plaintiff must prove, as a matter of law, that he has a right of ownership and that the

adverse claim is a cloud on the title that equity will remove. Id.

                                               Analysis

        In its motion for summary judgment, Citibank asserted the summary judgment evidence

established the Declaration expressly subordinated the assessment lien to bona fide first mortgages,

the First Lien Deed of Trust was a bona fide first mortgage, and Citibank was “the mortgagee for

the subject mortgage.” On that basis, Citibank argued there was no genuine issue of material fact

and the evidence conclusively established it was entitled to summary judgment on its claim to

quiet title to the Property, as well as a declaratory judgment that Citibank’s First Lien Deed of

                                                  –4–
Trust was valid, Citibank held the first lien encumbering the Property, and any interest Woodhaven

had in the Property was subordinate to Citibank’s first lien. Citibank’s summary judgment

evidence included, in relevant part, the Declaration, the deed of trust executed by the Budds on

December 10, 2002 and the 2003 release of that lien, several subsequent liens and releases of

related deeds of trust, the assignment of the 2007 deed of trust from BOA to Citibank, and the First

Lien Deed of Trust held by Citibank.

             Woodhaven’s cross-motion for summary judgment asserted the summary judgment

evidence established the Declaration only subordinated the assessment lien to deeds of trust and

mortgages for purchase money or home improvement, the First Lien Deed of Trust was “not for

purchase money,” and there was “no evidence that any amounts used in the various extensions of

credit were for improvement.”3 Woodhaven argued the evidence conclusively established the First

Lien Deed of Trust was subordinate to the assessment lien, and the foreclosure of the assessment

lien terminated all “junior” liens, including the lien claimed by Citibank.                                                     On that basis,

Woodhaven argued there was no genuine issue of material fact, and requested the trial court deny

Citibank’s motion for summary judgment and “enter a judgment in favor of [Woodhaven].”4

Woodhaven’s summary judgment evidence included, in relevant part, the Declaration, the deed of

trust executed by the Budds on December 10, 2002 and the 2003 release of that lien, several

subsequent liens and releases of related deeds of trust, and the First Lien Deed of Trust held by

Citibank.

             The trial court’s order granting Citibank’s motion for summary judgment stated,

                 [Citibank] is entitled to summary judgment on its claim seeking judgment
                 quieting title as well as declaratory judgment that [(1.) Citibank] has a valid
                 Deed of Trust; (2.) [Citibank] holds the first lien encumbering 1401
                 Woodhaven Drive, McKinney, Texas 75070; and (3.) the homeowner’s

     3
        Woodhaven additionally argued the First Lien Deed of Trust was subordinate to the assessment lien because the amount borrowed was “over
three times the amount of the original loan,” further evidencing the loan was not for the purpose of home improvement or purchase money.
     4
         Woodhaven’s counter petition, but not its cross-motion for summary judgment, asked the trial court to quiet title to the Property in its favor.

                                                                         –5–
           association lien was subordinate to [Citibank’s] first lien and that
           [Woodhaven] purchased the Property subject to [Citibank’s] first lien.

        Generally, the priority of liens on property is governed by the “first in time is first in right”

rule, see AMC Mortg. Servs., Inc. v. Watts, 260 S.W.3d 582, 585 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008, no

pet.), meaning priority is determined according to the order in which the liens were created. Here,

however, both parties rely on the terms of the Declaration to govern the priority of their competing

liens and claim the other party’s lien is subordinate.

         The Declaration provided, “there has existed and shall continue to exist a self-executing

and continuing contract Payment and Performance Lien and equitable charge on each Lot to secure

the full and timely payment of each and all assessments,” and unpaid assessments “become a

continuing debt secured by the self-executing Payment and Performance Lien on the Lot.” While

the Declaration provided that unpaid assessments became a continuing lien on the Property, the

lien was expressly subordinate to certain other liens and encumbrances. Specifically, section 5.11

of the Declaration stated the lien securing HOA assessments was:

           [S]uperior to any and all other charges, liens or encumbrances which may
           hereafter in any manner arise . . . except for:

           A. Bona-fide first mortgage or deed of trust liens for purchase money and/or
              home improvement purposes placed upon a Lot, including without
              limitation, Institutional Mortgages and Eligible Mortgages, in which
              event the Association’s lien shall automatically become subordinate and
              inferior to such lien[.]

(Emphasis added.) Section 1.33 of the Declaration broadly defined “Institutional Mortgage” as:

           [A]ny bona-fide mortgage, lien or security interest held by a bank, . . . or
           other recognized lending institutions[.]

Thus, the Declaration provided that HOA assessment liens were subordinate to first mortgage or

deed of trust liens for purchase money and/or home improvement purposes, including but not

limited to any mortgage, lien, or security interest held by a bank or other recognized lending

institution.

                                                  –6–
          The pertinent question on appeal is whether the First Lien Deed of Trust qualified as an

Institutional Mortgage under section 1.33 of the Declaration. We conclude that it does. The

summary judgment evidence showed the First Lien Deed of Trust was executed on April 4, 2007,

recorded in the Collin County public records, and is currently owned by Citibank. The First Lien

Deed of Trust indicated by its title that it was a “Texas Home Equity Security Instrument.” The

First Lien Deed of Trust stated,

              This Security Instrument secures to Lender: (i) the repayment of the
              Extension of Credit, and all extensions and modifications of the Note; and
              (ii) the performance of Borrower’s covenants and agreements under this
              Security Instrument and the Note. For this purpose, Borrower irrevocably
              grants and conveys to Trustee, in trust, with power of sale, the [Property.]

The First Lien Deed of Trust named a trustee and stated that, to secure a debt evidenced by a note,

“Borrower irrevocably grant[ed] and convey[d] [the Property] to Trustee, in trust, with power of

sale.” Section 21 of the First Lien Deed of Trust authorized the lender to accelerate the debt in the

event of default and to “invoke the power of sale” if the default was not cured. Section 22 provided

the terms governing a foreclosure sale of the Property by the trustee. Under section 22, “Borrower

authorize[d] Trustee to sell the Property to the highest bidder for cash in one or more parcels and

in any order Trustee determines,” and required the trustee to deliver a trustee’s deed to the

purchaser of the Property.

          Woodhaven does not contend the First Lien Deed of Trust was not a deed of trust or

mortgage, nor could it. A deed of trust is a deed conveying title to real property to a trustee as

security until the grantor repays a loan,5 “more simply” stated as “a mortgage with power to sell

on default.” Riner v. Neumann, 353 S.W.3d 312, 318 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, no pet.) (quoting

Johnson v. Snell, 504 S.W.2d 397, 399 (Tex. 1973)). Likewise, Black’s Law Dictionary defines

“mortgage” as:

   5
       Id. at 318 (quoting BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (8th ed. 2004)).

                                                                 –7–
          1. A conveyance of title to property that is given as security for the payment
             of a debt or the performance of a duty and that will become void upon
             payment or performance according to the stipulated terms[,]

          2. A lien against property that is granted to secure an obligation (such as a
             debt) and that is extinguished upon payment or performance according to
             stipulated terms[,]

Mortgage, BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (10th ed. 2014). This definition does not limit the purpose

of the debt to purchase money or home-improvement. This Court has recognized home-equity

security instruments as deeds of trust. See Riner, 353 S.W.3d at 318–19.

       The summary judgment evidence showed that Citibank is a bank that held a security

interest in the Property by virtue of the assignment by BOA to Citibank of the First Lien Deed of

Trust. The express language of section 5.11 of the Declaration subordinated the assessment lien

to certain liens “including without limitation, Institutional Mortgages.” Section 1.33 of the

Declaration broadly defined “Institutional Mortgages” to include a “mortgage, lien or security

interest held by a bank.” Section 1.33 did not restrict the definition of Institutional Mortgage to

mortgages for purchase money or home-improvement purposes.

       As a security instrument to secure repayment of the Note, the First Lien Deed of Trust was

a valid deed of trust or mortgage. It evidenced the lender’s lien on the Property, conveyed the

Property to the trustee as security in trust with power of sale in the event of default on the Note,

granted the trustee the power to sell and convey the Property in a foreclosure sale, and thus

constituted a mortgage with power to sell on default. Id. As a valid mortgage, lien, or security

instrument held by a bank, we conclude the summary judgment evidence established Citibank’s

First Lien Deed of Trust lien qualified as an Institutional Mortgage under section 1.33 of the

Declaration, and pursuant to section 5.11 of the Declaration, was superior to Woodhaven’s

assessment lien.

                                                –8–
                                           Conclusion

        Woodhaven did not provide evidence raising a genuine issue of material fact that

Citibank’s claim to the Property was invalid or improper. See Stanfield, 494 S.W.3d at 97. To the

contrary, the summary judgment evidence conclusively established Citibank’s lien was valid and

superior to Woodhaven’s lien. Therefore, we conclude the trial court did not err in granting

summary judgment and a declaratory judgment in favor of Citibank. We resolve Woodhaven’s

sole issue against it.

        We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                  /Robert M. Fillmore/
                                                  ROBERT M. FILLMORE
                                                  JUSTICE

171393F.P05

                                                –9–
                                           Court of Appeals
                                    Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                                          JUDGMENT

    WOODHAVEN DR. 1401 LAND TRUST,                                          On Appeal from the 416th Judicial District
    Appellant                                                               Court, Collin County, Texas
                                                                            Trial Court Cause No. 416-02540-2016.
    No. 05-17-01393-CV                    V.                                Opinion delivered by Justice Fillmore,
                                                                            Justices Lang-Miers and Myers
    CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS                                              participating.
    INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT
    SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF NRZ PASS-
    THROUGH TRUST VI,6 Appellee

     In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is
AFFIRMED.

        It is ORDERED that appellee CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL
CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST recover its
costs of this appeal from appellant WOODHAVEN DR. 1401 LAND TRUST.

Judgment entered this 19th day of December, 2018.

6
 Woodhaven incorrectly designated Bank of America, N.A. (BOA) as appellee. Although BOA filed the original petition in this lawsuit, the trial
court granted BOA’s motion to substitute Citibank, N.A., Not In Its Individual Capacity, but Solely As Trustee of NRZ Pass-Through Trust VI
(Citibank) as the plaintiff. Citibank filed the motion for summary judgment and declaratory judgment subject of this appeal, and the trial court
granted summary judgment and declaratory judgment in favor of Citibank.

                                                                    –10–