The word ‘estate planning’ conjures images of prosperous retirees who’ve spent their lives building up wealth and now want to make plans to pass it on to loved ones. Rarely do you think of young families needing to preserve assets and create inheritances. The truth is that estate planning is valuable for anyone at any […]
Four Common Encumbrances in Real Estate
When looking to buy or sell real estate it is important to make sure that there are not any problems that could get in the way. These can often be discovered through a title search or other effort. Understanding common types of real estate encumbrances will help you to know if property you own or […]
Durable Powers of Attorney Explained
A power of attorney is an estate planning document through which you can grant someone else (called your “agent”) permission to make legal, financial, and/or medical decisions on your behalf. The person who creates the power of attorney is referred to as the “principal” in the arrangement it creates. When acting on the principal’s behalf, […]
RESPA Violations FAQ
What is RESPA? RESPA refers to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. It is a federal law passed by Congress in 1974 and intended to protect those who are purchasing real estate. It essentially aims to prevent unfair practice by brokers, real estate agents, closing service providers, and others involved in the transaction. What are […]
Five Situations in Which You Need to Update Your Estate Plan
Good estate planning isn’t a one-and-done deal. We’ve heard far too many stories of parents, grandparents, husbands, and wives who sit down with an attorney to make an estate plan on one occasion and then never touch it again. When they pass away or become incapacitated, their loved ones are often left with more questions […]
Understanding the Quitclaim Deed
There are many types of deeds and they are not all used for the same purposes. Different situations call for different deeds. Deeds of trust, special warranty deeds, general warranty deeds — the list could go on. In today’s blog post, we are exploring one particular type of deed: the quitclaim deed. Quitclaim deeds are […]
Wills vs. Trusts: Which Do You Need?
If you are new to estate planning, you’re probably familiar with the terms “will” and “trust,” but you might not be sure what exactly these estate planning tools really do or which one is right for you. Wills and trusts are the most basic elements of an estate plan. They have one major shared goal: […]
Commonly Asked 1031 Exchange Questions
A 1031 exchange allows investors to defer capital gains taxes on sales of their investment properties. There are strict rules that the IRS has put into place that need to be followed in order for an exchange to be successful/allowed. I work with seasoned investors as well as new investors, here are the most common […]
What is a MAE Provision in Real Estate and Could it Help During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
For many who were in the middle of a real estate transaction when the coronavirus pandemic changed everything, it can seem unclear whether or not closing should or can continue under these new circumstances. Perhaps they no longer want to proceed with the sale because the agreed-upon price does not make sense given our new […]
Do Rental Terms and Lease Agreements Still Apply During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a great amount of uncertainty as every corner of the country deals with this nearly unprecedented health crisis and social distancing measures. One thing on the mind of tens of millions of Americans is rent or mortgage payments. Others worry about the effects on the housing market as a whole. […]
