Villarreal v. Showalter (In Re Villarreal)

413 B.R. 633, 2009 WL 2432338
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Texas
DecidedAugust 6, 2009
Docket19-31053
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 413 B.R. 633 (Villarreal v. Showalter (In Re Villarreal)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Villarreal v. Showalter (In Re Villarreal), 413 B.R. 633, 2009 WL 2432338 (Tex. 2009).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

MARVIN ISGUR, Bankruptcy Judge.

Gregorio B. Villarreal and Estela Villarreal, the debtors in this chapter 13 case, filed this adversary proceeding in which they seek to avoid the foreclosure of their real property. Although the foreclosure was conducted in accordance with state law, it enabled Showalter to receive more than he would have received in a hypothetical liquidation under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Accordingly, the Court avoids the transfer made to Showalter at foreclosure.

Jurisdiction and Venue

The Court has jurisdiction over this adversary proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1334. The adversary proceeding is a core matter under 28 U.S.C. § 157. Venue is appropriate in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1409.

*635 Facts

Undisputed Facts

Most facts are undisputed or have been resolved by this Court’s prior opinions.

The Villarreals owned property, located at 4000 W. Expressway 83, Mission, Hidal-go County, Texas that primarily consisted of a restaurant and a ballroom. The property is commonly known as “Greg’s Ballroom.”

The Villarreals had a long-standing dispute with Armando Orta and other parties that arose out of a commercial relationship involving the ballroom. The dispute was ultimately resolved by a settlement agreement executed on April 24, 2007. As part of the settlement agreement, Mr. Villarreal agreed to make deferred payments of $70,000 (plus interest) to the Orta parties, with the deferred payments secured by a third lien on Greg’s Ballroom. The third lien was executed by both Mr. and Ms. Villarreal. Showalter is the trustee for the holders of the third lien.

The Villarreals defaulted on their payments under the settlement agreement. Showalter, in his capacity as trustee, gave notice of default and posted Greg’s Ballroom for foreclosure. On November 6, 2007, David Showalter, Trustee, foreclosed on Greg’s Ballroom. Showalter was the successful bidder at the foreclosure sale, who credit bid the full amount of the Vil-larreals’ $70,000 debt. On January 4, 2008, the Villarreals filed their chapter 13 bankruptcy petition.

A more detailed background of the origins of the dispute and the execution of the original settlement documents is provided in this Court’s February 3, 2009 Memorandum Opinion Relating to Objections Against Debtors’ Homestead Exemption Claims, issued in case 08-70002. The factual background set forth in the February 3, 2009 Memorandum Opinion is incorporated in this opinion by reference.

Disputed Facts

There are three major disputed factual issues. The first is whether the November 6, 2007 foreclosure was conducted at the proper location at the Hidal-go County Courthouse and in the proper manner. The second is whether the Vil-larreals were insolvent such that they could avoid the foreclosure pursuant to § 522 and § 547 of the Bankruptcy Code. The third is whether the foreclosure resulted in Showalter receiving more than he would have received in a hypothetical liquidation under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. This latter issue is a mixed question of law and fact.

With regard to the first issue, the Villar-reals seek to set aside the foreclosure under Texas law by demonstrating an inadequate sale price along with an irregularity in the conduct of the sale. There are two alleged irregularities. First, the Villarre-als allege that the foreclosure took place at the wrong part of the Courthouse property. Second, the Villarreals allege that the sale was not “called out” properly in accordance with Texas law.

A substantial amount of trial time was dedicated to determining the actual location of the sale. It is undisputed that the sale was required to take place at the location designated by the Hidalgo County Commissioners. The Hidalgo County Commissioners adopted a resolution on November 9, 1987 providing “that the steps or terrace immediately adjacent to the east entrance to the lobby of the Hidal-go County Courthouse is designed as the area at the Hidalgo County Courthouse where sales of real property are to take place pursuant to a Deed of Trust or other contract lien.” Def. Ex. 19.

Part of Plaintiffs’ exhibit 6 included a photograph of the East Side of the Hidalgo County Courthouse and the other part included a schematic drawing of that same *636 East Side. Numerous witnesses described where foreclosure sales normally occurred. There was varying testimony concerning the precise location at which this particular foreclosure sale occurred. Having considered the entirety of the testimony, the Court has concluded that the sale occurred at a proper location. It most likely took place on the tile area within 20 feet of the area labeled on the schematic as “Entrance to County Clerks Office”, generally in the area marked with an “X” inside of a square on the schematic attached to Exhibit 6. The Court also finds that there is some reasonable probability that the foreclosure sale occurred between that area and the area marked “Main Doors”, but finds only an insignificant probability that the foreclosure sale occurred in any other area. Accordingly, the Court finds that the sale occurred at the proper location authorized by Texas law.

With respect to the second alleged irregularity, the Court finds that the actual “call” of the sale was made by substitute trustee Sandra Falcon. Ms. Falcon testified at the hearing and the Court found her testimony credible. The Court finds that she called the sale in a loud voice, with no attempt to hide the conduct of the sale from any person. The Court recognizes that certain witnesses testified that they did not notice that Ms. Falcon was conducting the sale. The mere fact that people did not notice Ms. Falcon conducting the sale does not amount to an irregularity if she properly called the sale. Sales on “the courthouse steps” occur at a public forum and, by their very nature, may be accompanied by other activities and distractions. Buyers, for example, may be pre-occupied with other sales in which they have a greater interest. The Court has carefully considered the “call” of the sale and finds that it was accomplished by Ms. Falcon without irregularity.

The second factual dispute concerns whether the foreclosure sale occurred while the Villarreals were insolvent. 11 U.S.C. § 547. In determining whether the Villarreals were insolvent, the Court excludes consideration of the Villarreal’s exempt property. 11 U.S.C. § 101(32)(A)(ii). Because debtors exempt only the equity that they have in property (i.e., the property remains subject to liens), the Court has evaluated the amount of debt owed by the Villarreals, excluding debt secured by the property listed on their exemption schedules.

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413 B.R. 633, 2009 WL 2432338, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/villarreal-v-showalter-in-re-villarreal-txsb-2009.