...so I found the perfect beater truck, but the seller has no title for it. I went to TxDMV and read their page:

http://txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/bought-a-vehicle-with-no-title

It talks about collecting certain documents, but then discusses purchasing a surety bond, before applying for a bonded title.

okay, the $64,000 question is what do these surety bonds cost? Are they typically some % of appraised value? The goal, of course, is I don't want to spend $2k on a truck thinking I've got a great deal and then have to turn around and spend $3k to get a title

Thanks!

I am getting a a bonded title right now on my old k5 blazer if it is over 25 years old it will cost you 250 for the title. otherwise they say your title will be $15 per thousand the truck is worth here is the website I used http://www.lawrenceautotitle.com/

Is the seller the registered owner? If so, he can get a duplicate title right away!

I had to pay $100 for the bond through my insurance provider but it is based of the sale value and $100 was the minimum. You can purchase the vehicle, get a bill of sale then start the rest of the process if you are sure it's a legit deal. Total it cost me around $250 but that included TT&L to register it

excellent info, thanks.

can you operate the vehicle on road while waiting for the bonded title, or do you have to wait until it's all done?

That part I am not sure of, in my case my blazer is sitting like it has for the last two years I have had it

when I do need to move it from the house to the ranch I go at night and go back roads. It will be nice when I can just drive it whenever

Get VIN and call DMV office on Gravel Road in Fort Worth. They'll check it for you and decide if you can get a title. My RV bond was 100 bucks. Title and tags 130. You can also get temp tags to move it if it runs at local DMV office.

You can get a 30day paper tag for about $25 and use that to move it.