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Jackson County Missouri is considering a new ordinance for the purpose of classifying sources of income as protected traits in regard to housing discrimination. This is considered the first of …
ASSISTANCE/SERVICE ANIMAL AS AN EXCEPTION TO LANDLORD PET POLICY BASED ON FAIR HOUSING ACT What Is an Assistance Animal? An assistance animal is an animal that works, provides …
APPEALING YOUR REAL ESTATE TAX ASSESSMENT IN KANSAS Website: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pvdindex.html In Kansas, you have two opportunities to appeal the value of your property. If you appeal the Valuation Notice …
Frequent Questions About Tax Foreclosure Auctions How do I find out what properties will be in the next tax sale auction? A list of the properties and maps …
TAX SALES AND TAX OVERAGES IN MISSOURI “Missouri state statutes require that properties with three or more years of delinquent real estate taxes are offered at the Collector of …
REAL ESTATE TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS Every two years in Missouri, (odd years), all real estate is reassessed for purposes of determining a fair market value for real estate …
INVESTOR SERVICES Our office assists in connecting BUYERS and SELLERS of NON PERFORMING REAL ESTATE ASSETS and NON PERFORMING REAL ESTATE NOTES. NON-PERFORMING REAL ESTATE ASSETS Inherited Properties – You …
I have been practicing law for 32 years and I never thought I would see the day tenants would have free legal representation at a landlord-tenant docket. Last week I …
Kansas Marital Property Law and Real Estate Law “Marital property” is the legal term that refers to all of the possessions and interests acquired after a couple gets married. …
Thousands of Midwest home sellers are eligible to join a lawsuit challenging real estate fees KCUR | By Dan Margolies Published April 25, 2022, at 4:17 PM CDT A …
WHAT IS HOUSE HACKING? Have you been curious about getting into real estate investing but feel discouraged because you haven’t even purchased your own home yet? Are you someone who …
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE CONTRACTS A real estate contract is a contract between parties for the purchase and sale, exchange, or other conveyance of real …
WHAT IS A PETITION FOR PARTITION AND WHEN IS IT USED? What can be done when a piece of real estate has two or more owners and one owner …
One of the most important steps in the contracting process can be hiring a contract lawyer to review your written agreements, as the wording and format often have to be …
A contract is an agreement enforceable by law. A void agreement is one that cannot be enforced by law. Sometimes an agreement that is enforceable by law, i.e, a contract, …
If you’re the buyer in a real estate transaction, you’ll receive a copy of the title commitment before closing and have several days to review it. Here’s why that document …
Getting a mortgage isn’t free. Before you get those house keys, you’ll go to the closing table to sign loan documents and paperwork that transfer home ownership from the seller …
The housing market may not reach the incredible heights of 2021, but Zillow economists predict it will be anything but slow next year. Expect the strong sellers market to persist, …
POSSESSION IS NINE-TENTHS OF THE LAW Possession is a key issue in real estate transactions and possession does not always transfer at the time of closing. Standard real estate contracts …
What Is a Partial Release? The term partial release refers to a mortgage provision allowing some of the pledged collateral to be released after there is partial satisfaction of the …
“I applied to refinance my jumbo mortgage and was almost through the process when the loan officer asked if there had been any remodeling done. I am in the process of …
MULTIPLE STRUCTURES ON ONE PARCEL A PROBLEM FOR SELLERS “We have a beautiful home with 5 acres, and there is a second smaller structure on the property. We have been …
2021 National Housing Market Forecast and Predictions To say 2020 was a year of surprises is an extreme understatement. What started off as a bright year for the housing market …
“Title theft” was a term unknown just a generation ago. Now advertisers bombard us daily with warnings about it. They say that thieves can “steal” our homes by forging our …
What Is Accelerated Amortization? Accelerated amortization is a process by which a mortgagor makes extra payments toward the mortgage principal. With accelerated amortization, the loan borrower is allowed to add …
MISSOURI CHARGING ORDER ON LLC A charging order can be an effective way to collect on a judgment. A person who obtains a judgment is commonly called a “judgment creditor”. A person …
The Kansas City housing market is intense, with soaring prices and limited availability challenging the city’s reputation for affordability. Nationwide, record-low interest rates and rising demand are met with a …
With recent appreciation in real estate, we are seeing more clients interested in 1031 exchanges. These exchanges (often called “like-kind” exchanges) can be complex. But as long as you follow …
Since most builder contracts favor the builder, you need to read them carefully and have your attorney review the contract as well. Before you sign anything, educate yourself and …
3 Different Types of Commercial Real Estate Leases There are three basic types of commercial real estate leases. These leases are organized around two rent calculation methods: “net” and “gross.” …
Novating a contract Sometimes businesses enter into agreements, which they later need to give up, be it because of internal restructuring or following an asset purchase. In these types of …
Typical Steps in an FSBO Home Sale Transaction To successfully complete the sale and legal transfer of one’s home, the following steps are generally taken: 1) The property must be …
If you’ve noticed a person in an orange vest carrying around a brightly colored tripod with a metal device on top, you’ve likely come across a property surveyor. Property …
Save to Pinterest We all learned how to share as children, but that concept tends to work easier with crayons and cookies rather than property.Take a shared driveway, for instance. …
When homeowners sell the family home to a loved one, they may wish to do so at a discounted rate. When this happens, the difference between the home’s market value …
A land patent is a form of letters patent assigning official ownership of a particular tract of land which has gone through various legally proscribed processes – such as surveying …
When homeowners sell the family home to a loved one, they may wish to do so at a discounted rate. When this happens, the difference between the home’s …
A tenancy in common is a popular way for co-owners to take title to a home. This way of vesting offers an alternative to joint tenancy, in which a home …
Real Estate Law, Deeds, Purchase Contracts, Review Contracts, Real Estate Disputes, Realtor Disputes, Buyer Representation, Seller Representation, Discounted Commission Representation, Contract Assignment, Wholesaling, Leases, Commercial, Residential, Draft Real Estate Contracts, …
Quitclaim Deed Quitclaim Deeds can be complicated legal documents. They are commonly used to add/remove someone to/from real estate title or deed (divorce, name changes, family and trust transfers). Last …
Warranty Deed, the Most Common Deed in Real Estate Of all the real estate deeds, General Warranty Deeds provide the most protection to the grantee (buyer). This type of deed …
Grant Deed A grant deed is a legal document that is used to transfer (convey) rights in real property from one entity or person (the grantor) to another (the grantee). …
Correction Deed – Correcting A Recorded Deed Once a deed has been recorded, it is part of the public record and cannot be changed. It is possible, however, to amend …
Transfer on Death Deed Setting up real estate to be transferred upon your death. Real estate is often one of the most significant assets to consider in a comprehensive estate …
An Estoppel Certificate (or Estoppel Letter) is a document often used in due diligence in Real estate and mortgage activities. It is a document often completed, but at least signed, by a tenant used in …
What Buying Subject-To Means Buying subject-to means buying a home subject to the existing mortgage. It means the seller is not paying off the existing mortgage. Instead, the buyer is …
Have you claimed the first-time homebuyer tax credit? For some buyers, it’s time to start repaying Uncle Sam. Introduced in 2008, the first-time homebuyer tax credit originally was a type …
The Assignment and Assumption Agreement An assignment and assumption agreement is used after a contract is signed, in order to transfer one of the contracting party’s rights and obligations to …
IS AN ORAL AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE ENORCEABLE? Generally, a verbal contract is binding in Missouri. However, there are certain circumstances in Missouri when a verbal contract …
What Is a Final Walkthrough? A final walkthrough is just like it sounds—it’s a walk through the house you’re about to buy. It’s an opportunity for you and your real …
What Is a Special Warranty Deed? Although general warranty deeds are more common in residential real estate transactions, there is one area where the special warranty deed becomes the norm. …
The Definition of a Certificate of Trust When creating a revocable living trust, you are acting as a trustee. This means that you can move property within the trust at …
How Much Should an HOA Have in Reserve? Choosing to live in a condominium complex or gated townhouse community certainly has many perks as to the maintenance of the property. …
Ways Inflation Affects the Real Estate Market Inflation from January 2007 through December 2016 was extremely low, averaging only 1.77% per year in the U.S. and 2009 was actually negative …
Buying or selling a home can be a complicated process. Sometimes, homebuyers have trouble qualifying for a mortgage. Other times, sellers yearn to cut through the red tape and net …
SUMMARY A party to a lawsuit intended to affect real estate may record a notice on the land records containing the names of the parties, the name and object of …
https://kcrealestatelawyer.com Our office gets calls everyday from home purchasers who discover after taking possession that there is a Material Defect to the property purchased – defective sewer line, defective foundation, …
Experts Predict What The Housing Market Will Be Like In 2021Brenda RichardsonBrenda Richardson Senior Contributor The housing market is largely being driven by a shortage of available housing inventory. The …
Housing Inventory in 2021 Although the housing market is healing and by many measures doing better than before the pandemic, inventory remains housings long haul symptom. There were an insufficient …
2021 TRENDS: Millennials & Gen Z The largest generation in history, millennials will continue to shape the housing market as they become an even larger player. The oldest millennials will …
2021 TRENDS: Remote Work The ability to work from home is not new. In fact, as long ago as 2018, roughly one-quarter of workers worked at home, up from just …
While it is no surprise that homeowners want to maximize the value of their property, it might come as an eye-opener that proximity to certain grocery stores can substantially improve …
What Is a Limited Partnership (LP) A limited partnership (LP) not to be confused with a limited liability partnership (LLP) is a partnership made up of two or more partners. …
13 Nationwide Housing Market Predictions for 2021 Unemployment rates will continue to improve There will be a slight uptick in mortgage defaults Lending standards will loosen There will be a …
Every business decision is followed by a lot of anxiety. That’s because there is a variety of issues that may occur before, during and/or after it. Transactions are one of …
Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC – Robert A Hamor With no end in sight to the public health and economic crises resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses across all …
Buying a home isn’t just a simple purchase; its also a legal transfer of a property from one entity to another. Because the legal side of this transaction can be …
Eviction protections will end on Dec. 31, leaving as many as 19 million people at risk A nationwide ban on evictions will expire Dec. 31 with no replacement in sight. …
Typically, its the husband asking and he is initiating the divorce. He is worried about giving up his interest in the house, and the right to return. From a strictly …
Despite federal ban, renters still being evicted amid virusBy MICHAEL CASEYNovember 29, 2020 The 46-year-old, who was hospitalized in August for the coronavirus and cant work due to mental health …
2015 Missouri Revised StatutesTITLE XXXVI STATUTORY ACTIONS AND TORTS (521-538)Chapter 535 Landlord-Tenant ActionsSection 535.300 Security deposits, limitation–return of deposit or notice of damages, when–withholding deposit, when–tenant’s right to damages–security deposit …
States With Common Law Marriage Colorado: Common law marriage contracted on or after Sept. 1, 2006, is valid if, at the time the marriage was entered into, both parties are …
What States Recognize Tenancy by the Entirety? These states recognize tenancy by the entirety: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, …
What States are Community Property States? The community property states are Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
A survivorship affidavit (sometimes called an affidavit of death or affidavit of continuous marriage) is a legal document used to remove a deceased owner from title to property by recording …
What effect does the death of an owner of real estate have on the title to real estate? When a person who owns real estate passes away, depending on the …
The rules of home affordability Mortgage lenders use something called qualification ratios to determine how much they will lend to a borrower. Although each lender uses slightly different ratios, most …
Whether youare interested in snapping up a bargain home and renovating it to meet your needs, or you have a kitchen full of outdated appliances that you would like to …
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION RED FLAGS 1. Documentation includes deletions, correction fluid, or other alteration2. Different handwriting or type styles within a document3. Buyer currently resides in subject property4. Seller is …
The Trump administration is ordering a halt on evictions nationwide through December for people who have lost work during the pandemic and don’t have other good housing options. The new …
Pros of Using a New LLC Every Deal Ownership structure: Perhaps you are working with several different owners on a new deal. It makes sense to have a new LLC, …
1. Scaling Without Systems In Place I see a lot of property managers that fail once they hit a certain scale because they don’t have systems in place. They get …
You have been sued. First, you panic. Then, you think about how to defend yourself. One of the best ways to fight back when you are being sued is through …
Overview Documents are notarized to deter fraud and to ensure they are properly executed. An impartial witness (the notary) identifies signers to screen out impostors and to make sure they …
Learn about Medallion Signaute Guarantee Stamps
Learn about Missouri Easement Law
Probate real estate has proven time and time again that it deserves a place amongst today’s best acquisition strategies. At the very least, investors who are able to acquire houses …
A subordinated loan is paid after all first liens have been paid. If there is a first and second mortgage loan on a property, the second mortgage is usually subordinate …
Seller financing can be a useful tool in a tight credit market. It allows sellers to move a home faster and get a sizable return on the investment. And buyers …
What is a Master Lease? Dictionary.com defines a master lease as a controlling lease under which a lessee can sub-lease a property for a period not extending the term of …
Before the days of income and estate taxes, adult children often just moved into the family home after their parents died. Unfortunately, its not that simple anymore. There are several …
A declaratory judgment, also called a declaration, is the legal determination of a court that resolves legal uncertainty for the litigants. It is a form of legally binding preventive adjudication …
Rental property investing will require prospective buyers to consider a number of factors, not the least of which are outlined below. A good rental property is contingent on both tangible …
Tax Laws for the Seller of a Contract for Deed Can I Deduct Interest on a Rent-to-Own? In cases where qualified buyers are scarce, selling a home through a contract …
Chances are that the world returns to normal. From SARS to Bird Flu to Ebola, it seems there is always some type of health scare that we are told will …
As Americans sit at home watching the value of their retirement funds crater, it is no surprise the spring housing market is about to crater as well. Home sales could …
What is a Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreement, and Why Do I Need One? While most commercial leases contain a requirement that the tenant will execute a “Subordination, Non-Disturbance and …
That new pool in the backyard is going to be perfect. You paid the contractor the deposit last week, and they’re scheduled to come break ground on Monday. You’ve even …
By Ted James How to Find and Buy the Home of Your Dreams Whether its your first or fifth home purchase, buying a new place is always exciting. At the …
One of the most misunderstood aspects of Medicaid is the look back period for asset transfers and how that affects eligibility for elderly people in need of long-term healthcare. Lets …
Acceptance of an Offer The second stage of contract formation is the acceptance of an offer by the offeree. An offeror is the person who makes an offer and the …
What Is Subrogation? Subrogation is a term describing a legal right held by most insurance carriers to legally pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured. …
When a person dies without leaving a will, an affidavit of heirship may be needed to establish facts about the deceased persons heirs and the transfer of property. While laws …
Transferring Joint Tenancy Real Estate After a Death Property held in joint tenancy is usually easy to transfer to the survivor after the other owner dies. Many people, especially couples, …
Trusts and Divorce Trusts are an important tool that families can use to protect assets and pass wealth to future generations. When the beneficiary of a trust is facing divorce, …
Here are seven factors that help make a real estate market good for investors: Job creation above the national average. Current and expected future population growth, also above the national …
What is Recording? Recording is the act of putting a real estate document into the official records at the County Recorders or Recorder of Deeds Office. Usually, the types of …
https://flatfeelegalprotection.com LEGAL PROTECTION for your REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION Have an attorney review your documents before signing or if you do not have an agent, our office can draft all the …
If you are seeking a business structure with more personal protection but less formality, then forming an LLC, or limited liability company, is a good consideration. If you are seeking …
If you ask a realtor whether to hire a real estate agent or a lawyer to buy a house, you can expect the realtor will suggest hiring an agent. On …
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Consumer Review Fairness Act: What Businesses Need to Know The Consumer Review Fairness Act protects consumers ability to share their honest opinions about a business products, services, or conduct in …
Mistake #1 OverpricingEveryone wants to realize as much as possible when they list their home for sale. Here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, just like the rest of …
Usufruct is a limited real right (or in rem right) found in civil-law and mixed jurisdictions that unites the two property interests of usus and fructus: Usus (use) is the …
A wraparound mortgage, more commonly known as a “wrap”, is a form of secondary financing for the purchase of real property. The seller extends to the buyer a junior mortgage …
Offering owner financing is a sensible way to sell property and extremely common all over the country (it has been estimated that approximately 10%-15% of property sold is now done …
Types of Property Divided in a Missouri Divorce Proceeding When couples go through a divorce, they need to address a variety of issues, including how to divvy up their property …
Introduction This Dispute Resolution System (DRS) is not intended to replace arbitration or mediation activities conducted by associations? Professional Standards Committees. The program is designed to resolve disputes between buyers, …
Specific performance is an equitable remedy in the law of contract, whereby a court issues an order requiring a party to perform a specific action, such as to complete the …
The Rising Trend of Co-Living Spaces By now, you’ve already heard about co-working. But there’s a new concept on the way: Co-living, which is, in a sense, the co-working equivalent …
A recently filed class-action antitrust suit against the National Association of Realtors, among other major real estate players, could spell a serious shakeup for the industry. If the plaintiffs win …
What is a Corrective Deed? A Corrective Deed is a special type of deed used to fix problems in deeds that have already been recorded. Unlike other types of …
Tax Laws for the Seller of a Contract for Deed In cases where qualified buyers are scarce, selling a home through a contract for deed can make sense. Homeowners might …
What is a Levy? A levy is the legal seizure of property to satisfy an outstanding debt. In the U.S., the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the authority to levy …
How Commission Credits Works Let’s say that an agent has signed a listing agreement with a seller. The seller agrees to pay the agent a 5 percent commission. The agent …
How to Get a Handle on Your Finances When You are Expecting Your First Child Expecting your first child is simultaneously a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience. There is so much …
When you sell a property, you’re required to disclose information about its condition that might negatively affect its value. If you willfully conceal such information, you could be convicted of …
Risks and realities of the contract for deed While contracts for deed offer some advantages over a traditional mortgage, such as speed and simplicity, they can entail distinct risks for …
Equity is a concept of rights distinct from legal (that is, common law) rights; it is (or, at least, it originated as) “the body of principles constituting what is fair …
When interest rates rise, “buying subject to” suddenly starts to look like a very attractive financing option for home buyers. When interest rates are low, homebuyers tend to avoid subject …
http://flatfeelegalprotection.com Have a Lawyer on your team to review ALL documents BEFORE you sign! FLAT FEE LEGAL PROTECTION FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS OF REAL ESTATE Seller Protection Review/Discuss Understanding TILA-RESPA …
http://flatfeelegalprotection.com FLAT FEE LEGAL PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME SALE OR PURCHASE Have an attorney review your documents before signing or if you do not have an agent, our office can …
The following examples of Financial Institution Fraud Investigations are written from public record documents on file in the courts within the judicial district where the cases were prosecuted. California Woman …
Benefits of Month to Month Rentals for Tenants Sometimes tenants need a place to stay but do not want a long term commitment. For these tenants, finding a landlord who …
FLAT FEE LEGAL PROTECTION PLAN FOR YOUR HOME SALE OR PURCHASE Have an attorney review your documents before signing or if you do not have an agent, our office can …
A. WHAT IS AN EASEMENT? An easement is the legal right of a non-owner to use a specific part of another persons land for a specific purpose. B. WHAT ARE …
Imagine being able to make an offer on a house before any other interested home shoppers can even have a look-see. If you have a right of first refusal negotiated …
Real Estate Covenants Law and Legal Definition A covenant is a promise in a written contract or a deed of real property. There are different types of covenants, such as …
The Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and Lawyer If you ask a realtor whether to hire a real estate agent or a lawyer to buy a house, you can …
If you are 62 or older and want money to pay off your mortgage, supplement your income, or pay for healthcare expenses you may consider a reverse mortgage. It allows …
The U.S. federal gift tax is imposed on cash and properties that individuals give to others. It’s paid by the donor, not the beneficiary of the gift, although the Internal …
ABANDONED PROPERTY Landlords are often eager to remove abandoned property of a tenant who appears to have abandoned a leased premises. Missouri law provides a procedure for removing a tenants …
When it comes to legally binding agreements, certain people are always considered to lack the legal ability (or “capacity”) to contract. As a legal matter, basically they are presumed not …
What Is Appreciation? Appreciation, in general terms, is an increase in the value of an asset over time. The increase can occur for a number of reasons, including increased demand …
Crowdfunding has become a loaded term, meaning so much more than just raising money from the public. In fact, it means different things to different people. New and old terms …
Real estate has its fair share of horror stories. One that keeps both first-time homebuyers and seasoned pros up at night is the thought of sellers walking away with their …
It turns out that there are best practice guidelines that successful real estate investors follow, and you can follow them, too. People who meet their investment goals adhere to principles …
Insurance companies view roofs as one of the most important parts of a home. Roofs protect homes from the elements and can prevent home insurance claims. If you have a …
“What is a wrap-around mortgage, and who is it good for?” A wrap-around mortgage is a loan transaction in which the lender assumes responsibility for an existing mortgage. For example, …
What is Gentrification? Gentrification is a general term for the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district, a related increase in rents and property values, and changes in …
Top 6 factors affecting real estate valuation Factors to consider when pricing a home are historic sales price, quality of the neighborhood, the market, nearby features and the size, appeal, …
TOP 10 THINGS AFFECTING REAL ESTATE 1. Interest rates & The Economy The Federal Reserve’s plan is to nudge interest rates back to historically normal levels. Concurrently, the passing of …
Cashier’s checks have a reputation for being safe, and that’s what makes them perfect for scams. Whether you’re selling something online or in-person, cashier’s checks deserve extra attention. Get familiar …
What’s “Cash for Keys” in a Foreclosure? If you lose your home to a foreclosure sale, the new owner might offer you a lump-sum of money to voluntarily move out. …
Buying your first home comes with many big decisions, and it can be as scary as it is exciting. It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of home …
When two or more people own a home, either as a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, each individual owns a share (or interest) of the entire property. This means …
What is the gift tax? The gift tax is a tax on the transfer of money or property to another person while getting nothing (or less than full value) in …
What is Blockchain? If this technology is so complex, why call it blockchain. At its most basic level, blockchain is literally just a chain of blocks, but not in the …
Social media marketing is an important part of any real estate business. Its crucial to share the right type of content in the right ways to generate leads and increase …
What Is Title Insurance And Why Is It Important? The median home value in the United States has increased by $16,000 over the last 12 months, according to data released …
Getting Your Home Back After a Property Tax Sale in Missouri Lost your home to a tax sale in Missouri? You may be able to redeem it. If you’ve lost …
In business, there are numerous instances in which you may want to share confidential information with another party. But the key to doing so safely is making sure that the …
Relocation expenses are sometimes paid by employers. If they are, does a departing employee (that is, one who is quitting or resigning) have to repay them? The answer is, it …
As a real estate professional, you are constantly being challenged. You need to make decisions that ultimately affect your buyers and sellers and, of course, your business. These choices can …
A restraint on alienation, in the law of real property, is a clause used in the conveyance of real property that seeks to prohibit the recipient from selling or otherwise …
What do Real Estate Attorneys do? So you’ve decided to take the big step of buying a home. It’s probably the biggest purchase and most expensive investment you’ll ever make. …
What is a Series LLC? A series LLC is a unique form of limited liability company (“LLC”) in which the articles of formation specifically allow for unlimited segregation of membership …
1. Multi-family work better with the changing U.S housing market. High rents and the need for yields have created even more competition for single family homes. This has depleted inventory …
While selling a Kansas City or St. Louis house with a tenant isn’t always the ideal situation. Consider how it will affect them before making any bold decisions. If you …
Does a Real Estate Contract Have to Be in Writing? The statute of frauds is a long-standing legal principle which requires certain agreements, including real estate contracts, to be in …
What Is Special Use Real Estate Valuation? Real estate is normally valued at an amount that reflects its ?highest and best use? for reasons concerning the federal estate tax. In …
Forgery may be thought of as a variety of fraud, but the law does not treat a forged deed like a fraudulent deed that is not forged. A recent case …
Kansas Transfer on Death Deed What is a Transfer on Death Deed? A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed, also called a beneficiary deed, looks like a regular deed used to transfer real …
Since prehistoric times, we humans have been in the business of evolution. Such is the scientific truth. Unless, that is, we are talking about cap rates, in which case there …
These days, more than half of buyers start their home search online, according to the 2018 Profile of Homebuyers & Sellers, released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, …
Prior to the onset of the industrial revolution, wealth and power were measured primarily in terms of the amount of land owned by an individual or family. Although the twentieth …
Community property is a type of joint ownership of assets between married couples. It’s the law in nine states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. …
If you’re thinking of selling your home within the next few weeks or months, preparing your home to go on the market can help you get the best price. Aside …
MISTAKE #1: DON’T OVERPAYIts not unusual for a commercial real estate investor that is new to commercial real estate to overpay for a commercial income property. This is usually due …
Benefits of Using an LLC with a Self-Directed IRA The process of using a Self-Directed IRA to buy non-traditional or alternative investment assets can be confusing and seem restrictive. One …
What Is Simultaneous Closing? Simultaneous closing (SIMO) is a real estate financing strategy in which two simultaneous transactions occur during the closing on a single piece of property. In this …
Stigmatized property In real estate, stigmatized property is property that buyers or tenants may shun for reasons that are unrelated to its physical condition or features. These can include the …
Imagine arriving at the settlement agent’s office for your closing. Everything went without a hitch: The buyer provided all documentation plus the Realtor?, closing attorney/title company, and lender have performed …
As we head into the heart of summer, thoughts naturally turn to fun in the sun while staying cool. For some, that might even mean contemplating the addition of a …
A gift, in the law of property, is the voluntary transfer of property from one person (the donor or grantor) to another (the donee or grantee) without full valuable consideration. …
You are thinking of moving, and want to put your Missouri home on the market. Most states have legislation that would require home sellers to give an extensive written disclosure …
Equitable estoppel is a defensive doctrine preventing one party from taking unfair advantage of another when, through false language or conduct, the person to be estopped has induced another person …
A special permit is generally required when a proposed use, due to its size or external impacts, needs greater scrutiny by the Town and may require special conditions to mitigate …
The statute of frauds is a long-standing legal principle which requires certain agreements, including real estate contracts, to be in writing. Real estate contracts are generally enforced in state courts …
The way you purchase a property can have long-lasting impacts on your ownership of said property. It is important to completely understand the titles involved in the purchase or insurance …
A partition is a term used in the law of real property to describe an act, by a court order or otherwise, to divide up a concurrent estate into separate …
How Property Tax Sales Work in Missouri Under Missouri law, when you don’t pay your property taxes, the county collector is permitted to sell your home at a tax sale …
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs go by many different names …
In property law, alienation is the voluntary act of an owner of some property disposing of the property, while alienable is the capacity for a piece of property or a …
Sign No. 1: The inspection turns up something majorly wrong Sure, you might cringe at some of the current owner’s wallpaper choices. But cosmetic issues are relatively easy to fix …
1. You’re using it as a way to gauge your relationship’s strength. Moving in together shouldn’t be a litmus test for whether your relationship is on sound foundation. It should …
Fiduciary Duties A real estate broker who becomes an agent of a seller or buyer, either intentionally through the execution of a written agreement, or unintentionally by a course of …
TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED (TODD) Planning for what happens to your home after your death can be difficult. Transfer on death deeds provide a simple, cheap way to make sure …
Homeownership has long been considered the culmination of a person’s adult life, a moment when they’ve finally achieved the American Dream. However, more and more Americans are foregoing the 30-year …
Guide to Fighting Real Estate Deed Fraud I. The Problem As real estate owners and industry professionals, we understand the importance of regular maintenance, property insurance, and other routine tasks …
Certification of trust. 456.10-1013. 1. Instead of furnishing a copy of the trust instrument to a person other than a beneficiary, the trustee may furnish to the person a certification …
How to Handle a Small Estate in Missouri If you’re wrapping up the estate of a Missouri resident who died with an estate that’s worth less than a certain dollar …
This article gives a short overview of evictions (unlawful detainers) from a landlord’s perspective. When you, the landlord, need to evict a tenant, you may not use self-help measures to …
When two or more individuals own property — whether it’s a condominium, a home, or a piece of land — the relationship between the owners is very important. The form …
The $250,000 (single) / $500,000 (married) home sale gain exclusion is a major benefit of homeownership, but the rules can be confusing if you are not familiar with them. How …
Building a custom home gives you complete control over every aspect of the design. There are dozens of architectural styles to base your custom home on, from historical approaches to …
Here is a possible scenario: Your current home is sold and you must close on your existing home in order to close on a new one. You have to have …
Options for Handling Cemeteries on Private Property Prior to World War II, it was not uncommon, especially in rural areas, for families to bury their deceased family members in a …
1. Death in the Home 2. Neighborhood Nuisances 3. Hazards 4. HOA Information 5. Repairs 6. Water Damage 7. Missing Items 8. Other Possible Disclosures 1. Death in the Home …
1- Failing to Require Personal Appearance Personal appearance is the very foundation of notarization. Except in the few states where online or remote notarization has been legalized, personal appearance is …
1. Know yourself Something that’s clearer to me every day is that there’s no magic, one-size-fits-all solution for building a happy, healthy, and productive life. You have to know yourself: …
What Are You Required to Disclose When You Sell Your Home? When you set out to sell a house, most states require you to make certain ?disclosures.? Disclosures refer to …
Almost every single loan generated to buy a home contains a due on sale clause. This clause is important if a homeowner wants to sell the home without paying off …
What is a Step-Up in Basis? A step-up in basis is the readjustment of the value of an appreciated asset for tax purposes upon inheritance. The higher market value of …
Assignment of contracts is the legal transfer of the obligations and benefits of a contract from one party, called the assignor, to another, called the assignee.3 What assignment of a …
Property Boundaries: Everything You Need to Know Most of us don’t know where our exact property boundaries are located, and many of us don’t care. Most of us don’t know …
To understand a reverse 1031 exchange, you should first make sure you know the ins and outs of a 1031 exchange. There are some key differences between a standard 1031 …
A 1031 Exchange, also called a Starker Exchange or Like-Kind Exchange is a powerful tax-deferment strategy used by some of the most financially successful investors. This is, perhaps, even more …
The law of agency is an area of commercial law dealing with a set of contractual, quasi-contractual and non-contractual fiduciary relationships that involve a person, called the agent, that is …
The phrase “life estate” often comes up in discussions of estate and Medicaid planning, but what exactly does it mean? A life estate is a form of joint ownership that …
Generally, real estate brokers/ agents fall into four categories of representation: Seller’s Agents, commonly called “listing brokers” or “listing agents,” are contracted by owners to assist with marketing property for …
Cash Hidden in the Wall You might think a treasure hunt means diving in the ocean to find sunken ships or exploring ancient ruins in faraway countries looking for hidden …
Rezoning, Variance, or Conditional Use Permit: Which One Can Solve Your Zoning Problem? You’re considering the purchase of a particular property, but know it doesn’t conform to the city’s zoning …
Down zoning is the process by which an area of land is rezoned to a usage that is less dense and less developed than its previous usage. This is typically …
When was the alleged crime committed? Anyone who wants to sell real estate as a salesperson, real estate agent, or real estate broker must first obtain a license to do …
If your home is completely destroyed and unlivable, your homeowners policy has a loss of use or additional living expense policy which allows you to maintain your standard of living …
Just what do real estate agents do all day? Before you can understand what real estate agents do all day, you must first remove the word ‘typical? from your vocabulary. …
A title is a legal document that includes the specifics about the property you are purchasing and who owns it, often in the form of a deed. One of the …
HOW DO PROBATE REAL ESTATE SALES WORK? Probate is simply the legal process that settles a deceased person’s debts and formally passes their property’s legal title to the intended heirs. …
11 questions to ask yourself to help you make an educated decision. 1. Do you have access to accurate data regarding selling prices, square footage, floor plans and amenities of …
What Are Fixtures In Real Estate? A critical part of any real estate transaction is the actual fixtures within the home that are required to stay with the home after …
Forms of Property Ownership 1. Sole Ownership Sole ownership occurs when a single person owns a complete interest in a property or asset. Ownership is conveyed from one person to …
Multifamily Housing – An Overview Crowdfunding for real estate is comprised of a number of different asset classes in which one can invest. We?ve earlier discussed many different segments of …
All real estate investors will benefit from taking a proactive approach to taxes. The reality is there is little you can do retroactively to impact your results once the year …
A variety of rights come with real estate ownership. WATER RIGHTS Land that’s adjacent to a body of water normally carries with it certain rights relative to that body of …
This outline is intended to provide a general overview of Missouri Construction Law. While the authors have described several topics below, the discussion of any particular topic is not intended …
What Is Radon? How does radon affect your health? What are the symptoms of radon exposure? How are you exposed to radon? How can I protect myself? Radon is a …
REAL ESTATE CONTRACT CONTINGENCIES For those who aren’t familiar, a contingency is a statement (a stipulation it’s sometimes called) that is added to your contract that will allow you the …
You’re ready to hang out your shingle or otherwise go into business for yourself, but you need space, a place from which to run your operation. If you’re wading into …
Legal Title A legal title refers to the responsibilities and duties the owner has in maintaining, using, and controlling property. Legal title is the actual ownership of the property. The …
Because of recent credit tightening, some homebuyers may be less likely to qualify for mortgages than they were just a few years ago. Some financial counselors predict that borrowers with …
Renting vs Buying: What to Choose Any grown-up person one day may get haunted by the idea of getting a house instead of renting one. Yes, I know, we?ve all …
Renting vs Buying: What to Choose Any grown-up person one day may get haunted by the idea of getting a house instead of renting one. Yes, I know, we?ve all …
5 Common Swimming Pool Problems Who doesn’t like to swim in a pool? Whether we can swim or not, it’s fun being inside the pool especially with friends or family. …
Requirements for a Real Estate Purchase Contract A real estate purchase contract?also known as a contract to purchase real estate or a residential purchase agreement?is a binding, bilateral agreement between …
Judicial foreclosure refers to foreclosure cases that go through the court system. Foreclosure occurs when a home is sold to pay off an unpaid debt. Many states require foreclosures to …
Understanding Ownership of Property When an estate planning attorney meets with a new client, one of the first questions the attorney asks is “What do you own and how is …
Both get a share of the profits based on time and money invested. Real estate syndication is an effective way for investors to pool their financial and intellectual resources to …
IT’S EASY TO SEE THE rise in popularity of Airbnb and other online vacation rental sites and think it’s a good idea to buy a property dedicated to short-term housing. …
Closing gifts are almost as important in the real estate world as securing a home, at least it is if you want your clients to come back. Are you thinking …
Code of Conduct Thanks for choosing to participate in the exchange of ideas and information in the Missouri REALTORS?online community, THE LANDING. To ensure the best possible experience for all …
Types of LLC’s Domestic LLC: If your LLC is formed and operating within your state, this is a domestic LLC. Your state has the authority to govern your LLC if …
It may be hard to believe, but I receive calls regularly from buyers and sellers that have become estranged from there realtor or feel they are being taken advantage of …
How much does it cost restore water damage? Water may be a necessary part of life, but it can also do a tremendous amount of damage to your property if …
When responsible first-time home buyers need help buying a home, the family bank can sometimes lend a hand. Younger home buyers face a mountain of obstacles, including rising home prices …
One site http://(www.realestateabc.com) cites a 6.34% annual appreciate rate since 1968. But, that does account for: state, city, county, or neighborhood variations. It doesn’t account for type of house (single …
Today, 30 years on from my original proposal for an information management system, half the world is online. It’s a moment to celebrate how far we?ve come, but also an …
ALABAMA Attorneys and title companies handle closings. Conveyance is by warranty deed. Mortgages are the customary security instruments. Foreclosures are non-judicial. Foreclosure notices are published once a week for three …
You?ve likely heard terms such as net income, gross income, adjusted gross income, take-home pay, and disposable income. But do you really know what each term means, both in definition …
Cycle-low construction at odds with tightening retail vacancy. As unemployment reached the low-3 percent range by the end of 2018, the retail environment in Kansas City remains well positioned for …
Rising interest rates are providing welcome relief to savers. As previously reported, earning at least a 2% APY on your savings from an FDIC insured bank account is now much …
1. Leverage All of Your Savings Options While a 401(k) (or another employer-sponsored plan) is a good first stop for retirement savings, it’s not the only way to build your …
Buying real estate can be more than just finding a place to call home. Most people have to do a real estate transaction at some point in their lives, and …
Renting out a room in your house is sometimes favorable to leasing the entire property. It offers more flexibility for your own private use of the other rooms, and renting …
Do You Need a Real Estate Lawyer? In certain states, you cannot buy or sell a house unless a real estate lawyer is present. So unless you live in a …
2019 U.S. Commercial Real Estate Forecast Report The Kansas City retail market experienced another successful year throughout 2018 based on strong market fundamentals that fueled retail growth. Consumer confidence remains …
This list summarizes some of the most common errors made by commercial Landlords and their property managers when they find themselves dealing with a defaulting Tenant. 1. LOCKING THE DOORS …
You already know it’s going to be fun. Here’s how to buy a house with a friend the smart way. Who says you have to have a romantic partner to …
MARITAL WAIVER IN MISSOURI Title companies are required as part of their job to request information in a real estate transaction. One of the most frequent requests involves requesting information …
What is Legacy Planning Legacy planning is a financial strategy that prepares a person to bequeath his or her assets to a loved one or next of kin after death. …
There’s no doubt about it: the 2018 housing market has seen its ups and downs. The year started with sky-high home prices, historically low mortgage rates and a definitive upper …
Notice provisions of Missouri’s mechanic’s lien statutes (R.S.Mo. 429.005.1, et seq.) grants general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers the ability to assert a mechanic’s lien for labor and materials provided …
Inflation Inflation is something we all take for granted. The price of everyday goods increases on a gradual basis, and we have no choice but to pay the increased price. …
No Fees: Almost all 1031 exchanges involve a 3rd party intermediary who charges a fee for the 1031 Exchange. Rolling into a Qualified Opportunity Fund has no fees for the …
For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics FSBOs accounted for 7% of home sales in 2017. The typical FSBO home sold for $200,000 compared to $265,500 for agent-assisted home sales. FSBO …
What is an unrecorded easement? Easements (those rights someone else has to use part of your property) are typically recorded in the public records of the County in which the …
Protecting Your House After You Move Into a Nursing Home While you generally do not have to sell your home in order to qualify for Medicaid coverage of nursing home …
11 Questions to Ask If You’re Thinking ?FSBO? When the time comes that you decide you want to sell your home, the question you might ask yourself is, ?Should I …
Okay, 2018 was quite the tease in the housing market. The year started out hot, only to taper off halfway through. But plenty of Americans still traded their For Sale …
7 Signs You’re Ready to Sell Your House Should I sell my house? If you’ve been asking yourself this question lately, we’ve got good news: It’s a great market for …
There are times when a minor is in title. Maybe the deed from Mom & Dad says ?Susan B. Jones, a minor.? Or, when she shows up to sign papers, …
Bundle Of Rights What is a Bundle Of Rights A bundle of rights is a set of legal rights afforded to the real estate title holder. It can include the …
Will baby boomers turn into party poopers when they unload their homes in large numbers starting in the next decade? Could they create an indigestible oversupply in the market that …
You?ve been in your house for a while and are still fond of the place. But it’s no longer exactly what you need or want. So, do you put the …
What is the Time Value of Money? The time value of money (TVM) is the concept that money available at the present time is worth more than the identical sum …
REAL ESTATE AND POLITICS Whether or not the average homeowner realizes it, politics is the most important factor influencing the price of real estate, affecting the state of the economy, …
FORCED VS. NATURAL REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION Real estate appreciation is far from being a new concept when it comes to real estate investing. Moreover, many real estate investors choose real …
WHAT IS A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST?-A revocable living trust is a popular estate planning tool that you can use to determine who will get your property when you die. Most …
He is not a full man who does not own a piece of land.? REAL ESTATE INVESWTMENT – An old Hebrew proverb that still offers value in our modern-day lives. …
Estoppel is a common law doctrine which, when it applies, prevents a litigant from denying the truth of what was said or done. The doctrine of estoppel by deed (also …
An easement is a property right that gives its holder an interest in land that’s owned by someone else. It’s common for people to lack a clear understanding of easements …
Once a deed is recorded, it becomes part of the public record and cannot be changed. However, sometimes an error in the recorded deed is discovered by one of the …
When you think of a “nonprofit” what do you think of? Most likely, you think of a group making a difference in your community. Maybe you are thinking of a …
RISKS AND REALITIES OF CONTRACT FOR DEEDS While contracts for deed offer some advantages over a traditional mortgage, such as speed and simplicity, they can entail distinct risks for …
Closing a property deal can be a long and stressful exercise that involves lots of steps and procedural formalities. Closing occurs when you sign the papers that make the house …
Why You Should Spend Your Money On Experiences, Not Things When you work hard every single day and there’s only so much money left after your regular expenses, you have …
Party Wall A partition erected on a property boundary, partly on the land of one owner and partly on the land of another, to provide common support to the structures …
Requirements for Recording Real Estate Documents The Following Documents Do Not Require A Legal Description For Recording. Death Certificates, Power of Attorneys, Wills, DD214, Certificates, and Miscellaneous Documents. The following …
Take a step back from whatever housing data you normally look at. We’ll begin big picture with how many housing units are needed to accommodate changes in the United States. …
Single-member vs. Multi-member LLCs A husband and wife can be considered a single-member LLC if owned in a community state. If you’re the sole owner of your LLC, the IRS …
Attorney Whether by the homeowner’s choice or the actions of a disgruntled creditor or contractor, there are a number of ways that the owner’s title to the property can be …
Many homebuyers think that saving for their down payment is enough to buy the house of their dreams, but what about the closing costs that are required to obtain a …
ELEMENTS OF A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT REAL ESTATE CONTRACTS Once you have found the house that you want to buy, its time to make an offer. Once the seller …
If your parent owns a house, one of the decisions you need to make now is whether or not to hang on to the house or go ahead and sell …
Whether you’re a real estate agent or broker, it’s hard to deny that millennials ? those born in the years between 1982 and 2004 ? continue become the largest group …
Drafting a mechanic’s lien and ?notice of intent? (?429.100) involves crucial steps that can be harmful to your case if overlooked. Whether you forgot to verify the ?just and true …
The question is not why, but WHERE to invest in real estate. When choosing the location of a rental property, a real estate investor puts a number of factors as …
You are thinking of moving, and want to put your Missouri home on the market. Most states have legislation that would require home sellers to give an extensive written disclosure …
General Warranty Deed Vs Quitclaim Deed To understand what a quitclaim deed is, its useful first to understand general warranty deeds. A general warranty deed is the most common …
There’s no doubt about it: the 2018 housing market has seen its ups and downs. The year started with sky-high home prices, historically low mortgage rates and a definitive upper …
#1: 90% of millionaires have become a millionaire as a result of owning real estate. It adds substantially to your net worth. INVEST IN REAL ESTATE #2: Entrepreneurs have a …
With an eviction looming, Karen Pettit, a disabled 52 year old Slidell, Louisiana woman documents her frustrating experiences and obstacles faced when trying to find promised relief and governmental assistance …
MISSOURI Conveyance is by warranty deed. Deeds of trust are the customary security instruments and allow private power of sale. The trustee must be named in the deed of trust …
They came together by chance one night at Le Club, a hangout for Manhattans rich and famous. Trump introduced himself to Cohn, who was sitting at a nearby table, and …
The process of buying or selling your home is quite complex, so you are fortunate to have a real estate professional to guide you through some of the process. However, …
5 Ways to Give Your Home to Your Children Tax-Free Before the days of estate taxes, children simply moved into the family home and took over the master bedroom after …
18 Commercial Real Estate Trends To Dominate In 2019 National December 11, 2018 Champaign Williams, National Editor Want to get a jump-start on upcoming deals? Meet the major players at …
I remember buying my first home with my wife. I will never forget the feeling of walking in together for the first time as homeowners. It was a defining moment …
Visualize a real estate purchase contract with just a few extra words added to your name as the buyer. This would look something like this: “Buyer: John J. Doe, and/or …
Homeowners looking to sell should consider 2019 a prime opportunity to cash in. Few people are predicting that 2019 will be a record-breaking year for home prices. But relatively speaking, …
What the Fed’s rate hike will mean for America’s wavering housing market As 2018 winds to a close, the housing market has shown signs of a slowdown, and now the …
Jackson County, Clay County, Platte County and Ray County and the communities of Kansas City, North Kansas City, Raytown, Grandview, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Independence, Richmond, Liberty, Excelsior …
Different definitions and forms of residential real estate POSTED ON JANUARY 28, 2016 BY MARK Single-Family Home The most common definition of a single-family home is: An individual, freestanding, unattached …
Renting out part of your home can boost cash flow, but first take a look at what it takes to be a landlord. By Pat Mertz Esswein, August 2011 Homeowners …
THIS IS WHY INVESTORS SHOULD INVEST IN REAL ESTATE IN KANSAS CITY POSTED ON OCTOBER 30, 2018 BY MARK Kansas City Real Estate Kansas City is the largest city in …
You may have a substantial amount of money and assets to leave behind to your children. However, a conundrum many people find themselves in is that they want to provide …
A decade after the housing bust upended the lives of millions of Americans, more U.S. households are headed by renters than at any point since at least 1965, according to …
RENTING VS. BUYING? At what cost, percentage wise, is it better to rent than buy, if you plan on staying at a given location forever? Buying a home is likely …
In writing It is a legal requirement in all jurisdictions that contracts for the sale of land be in writing to be enforceable. The various Statute of frauds require contracts …
In writing It is a legal requirement in all jurisdictions that contracts for the sale of land be in writing to be enforceable. The various Statute of frauds require contracts …
In writing It is a legal requirement in all jurisdictions that contracts for the sale of land be in writing to be enforceable. The various Statute of frauds require contracts …
LLC Electing S Corp Status: The Best of Both Worlds It isn’t either/or when choosing an LLC or S corporation. You can have the best of both worlds. Structuring your …
Before the days of income and estate taxes, adult children often just moved into the family home after their parents died. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple anymore. There are several …
Ask just about any real estate agent to list the three most important things a property should have, and you’ll likely hear: ?location, location, location.? That phrase has been in …
Denise Supplee and her husband, Jerry, had been in their new home in Horsham, PA, for just three months when they started to notice something strange in their bathroom. ?You …
Kansas City Real Estate ? Market Trend & Forecast 2018 According to Zillow.com, the median home value in Kansas City is $136,200. Kansas City home values have gone up 10.5% …
By Jenny Page Financial Stability After Divorce While Millennials have proven to be a boon for the marriage statistics, this sentiment cannot be echoed for the over fifties. Baby Boomers …
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has created a lot of uncertainty as well as a lot of opportunity in the tax world. This is especially true in the …
Family law issue Married couples usually own most, if not all, of their valuable property together. If you want to leave everything to your spouse, as many people do, you …
Real Estate Syndication Real estate syndication is ?crowdfunding for real estate? before crowdfunding for real estate ever existed. In its most simple form, both syndication and crowdfunding involve pooling capital …
Cost of Building a House Many things, including building materials, could affect the price of your new home. Two of the more prominent factors are regulatory costs and level of …
12 Ways To Beat Capital Gains Tax In The Age Of Trump Ashlea EbelingForbes StaffPersonal Finance I write about how to build, manage and enjoy your family’s wealth. Shutterstock Got capital …
What’s the Difference Between Your Home’s Market and Assessed Value? Understanding your home’s value is an important part of knowing your net worth, what you’ll likely receive if you sell …
The Future of Real Estate ? With Fewer Agents? Here’s a look at potential changes to how consumers shop for a home and close a deal. The Future of Real …
Housing: Then, Now, and Future by Moya K. Mason Houses have changed a lot over the last three hundred years. Availability of construction materials, development of indoor plumbing and heating …
The Truth About Real Estate Prices By Lisa Smith October 25, 2017 ? 6:24 AM EDT The layman’s theory of real estate goes something like this: The Pilgrims arrived. They …
Financial Stability After Divorce While Millennials have proven to be a boon for the marriage statistics, this sentiment cannot be echoed for the over fifties. Baby Boomers experienced a 109% …
Foreigner Selling Property in USA If there is ever a market that is always soaring and nothing dissuades it except a natural or human catastrophe, then it is the ever …
Can Non-citizens Own Land or Property? Regulation of land ownership rights for non-U.S. citizens is generally reserved to the states. But generally speaking, aliens and non-nationals are allowed to …
Can a non-U.S. citizen get a mortgage in the U.S.? The short answer is yes. “You do not have to be a citizen of the United States to purchase real …
If you’re a real estate agent, odds are you haven’t been closing as many deals lately. A slowdown in new construction and a short supply of existing homes for sale …
FSBO means for sale by owner. When you sell a home, one of your first decisions is whether to FSBO (for sale by owner, pronounced fizz-bo) or hire an agent. …
As the economy continues to flail, many people ? including caregivers and the elderly ? are looking for ways to get ahead on finances ? or in many cases, just …
1. Interest Rates & The Economy For years the market has anticipated rising interest rates. With the Federal Reserve now nudging rates upward, flattening of the yield curve is underway. …
The United States Congress adopted a resolution on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue annual proclamations calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies.[2] A …
If you?ve entered into a contract to purchase a home, your transaction won’t be final until closing. Most buyers have many questions about the process, including: What is closing? Closing …
Missouri The first thing to understand about mortgages in Missouri is that Missouri uses ?deeds of trust? to record property ownership. A deed of trust is a document (filed in …
Scams targeting real estate transactions are on the rise, according to the FBI. Experts say there are many simple ways that consumers and real estate professionals can protect themselves and …
If Michael Wolff’s reporting is to be believed, Stephen K. Bannon’s assessment of the most dangerous threat posed by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation is not the one …
June 2015 A person can apply for Medicaid to pay for nursing home care or care in the home when the countable, available resources have been reduced to $2,000 plus …
Commercial Real Estate Developers in the 19th Century Most New York schoolchildren learn that the island of Manhattan was bought by Peter Minuit of the Dutch West India Company from …
If you want to buy a house this year, you may well be paying around $199,200, the median price for a home in the U.S., according to Zillow. That number …
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FSBO The 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers by the National Association of Realtors? (NAR) found that for sale by owner (FSBO) sales …
Buying real estate is about more than just finding a place to call home. Investing in real estate has become increasingly popular over the last 50 years and has become …
Real estate is a great investment for many reasons. You can enjoy an excellent rate of returns, amazing tax advantages and leverage real estate to build your wealth. Here are …
No house can be complete without any windows. Windows facilitate the entry of natural light indoors. They enable the occupants of a house to enjoy the views of the neighbourhood …
U.S.home prices have rebounded from the 2008 housing market crash, but demand is still low due to changes in living and buying habits of millennials, real estate mogul Sam Zell …
As a rule, people in New York wish for smaller places to live about as often as people on airplanes wish for smaller seats. I used to dream sometimes that …
Kansas City Real Estate Kansas City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, famous for its distinct barbeque cuisine and jazz heritage. Also nicknamed the City of …
ROOF SYSTEM COMPONENTS All steep-slope roof systems (i.e., roofs with slopes of 25 percent or more) have five basic components: Roof covering: shingles, tile, slate or metal and underlayment that …
5 Reasons to Conduct Regular Inspections of Your Rental Properties 1. Ensure Your Tenants Are Complying With the Terms of the Lease: Do you know if your tenant has a …
One reason you might be thinking about investing in rental properties is because you think you’ll save money on federal income taxes. While this may be true, you really need …
Most states, except those listed as community property states, below, use the “common law” system of property ownership. In these states, it’s usually easy to tell which spouse owns what. …
1. Check For Zoning Issues And Liens Generally speaking, one way to tell is when a property has a characteristic or complication that leads to an automatic “no” for the …
If you’ve ever house-hunted, you’ve probably got a sense that real estate purchases don’t represent consumers at their most rational. Did you like a house or apartment more, or less, …
Most people don’t think twice about cleaning and insulating their attics. At least, not until strange smells, rodent infestations, or other annoying issues appear and force them to take a …
A lease option (more formally Lease With the Option to Purchase) is a type of contract used in both residential and commercial real estate. In a lease-option, a property owner …
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SELLING YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE BY OWNER WITHOUT A REALTOR? The biggest reason to consider some form of FSBO is the money you may save. …
History of Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri has been incorporated three different times and has had three different names throughout its history. First, in the 1830s John McCoy established Westport …
One of the last things most home buyers think about is how to take title to their new house. It’s best to consult a real estate attorney before deciding but, …
Foundation repair options vary greatly depending on the geographic area and site conditions for the repair. Until the late 1970s, the main repair method simply used concrete. Below is a …
Final walk-throughs are not home inspections, even though it might seem that way. It is not a time to begin negotiations with the seller to do repairs, nor is it …
What Is a Judgment Lien? A judgment lien is created when someone wins a lawsuit against you and records the judgment against your property. What is your total debt? A …
Fall real estate market trends have started to take shape, and now is as good of a time as any to start deciphering them. What’s more, those investors that can …
Real Estate Disputes come in all shapes and sizes. For instance, imagine a dispute where the seller disclosed the basement leaked a half an inch and the realty is the …
What if something was wrong with your newly bought house at the time of purchase, and someone — the seller, the seller’s agent, or the inspector — could or should …
Are you ready to buy a house, or in the planning stages of a home purchase? Either way, it helps to know what banks look for when they evaluate your …
A deed in lieu of foreclosure is a deed instrument in which a mortgagor (i.e. the borrower) conveys all interest in a real property to the mortgagee (i.e. the lender) …
3 Reasons Why It’s Important to Price Your Home to Sell The ?right? price is one that’s in tune with what similar homes are selling for in your market. It’s …
Missouri home values 2016 to 2017 Metropolitan area Q2 2016($000s) Q2 2017($000s) Change Cape Girardeau, MO-IL 148.8 146.5 -1.5% Columbia, MO 174.6 183 4.8% Kansas City, MO-KS 188.6 201.7 6.9% …
Buying a home can be nerve-racking, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. These tips will help you navigate the process, save money and avoid common mistakes. We organized them …
When the time comes that you decide you want to sell your home, the question you might ask yourself is, ?Should I list my home with a Realtor or try …
Missouri Tax Sale Process Getting Started Will I need special equipment or software? No. To participate in the auction from your own home or office, you need only have …
Every seller pays for a real estate attorney or title company whether they sell a house with an agent or FSBO. Hire a lawyer to protect your home sale and …
CAN YOU SUE A SELLER IN MISSOURI FOR FAILURE TO DISCLOSE KNOWN ADVERSE MATERIAL FACTS? When you bought your home in Missouri, you assumed that it was in perfect condition. …
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman has been known for making some strong statements about the housing market, and last week he issued his latest proclamation, warning of a slowdown that is …
Zillow shares plunged 9 percent on Friday after the online real estate database company announced it will begin buying and selling homes, a capital-intensive endeavor. With Zillow’s new program,announced on …
For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics FSBOs accounted for 8% of home sales in 2016. The typical FSBO home sold for $190,000 compared to $249,000 for agent-assisted home sales. FSBO …
Overview of the Real Estate Market 5.51 million existing homes were sold in 2017, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS?. 612,000 newly constructed homes were sold in …
How to Sell Your House Without a Realtor You’re ready to put your house on the market, and you?ve decided to go it alone. Are you really saving money? By …
Types of services that a broker can provide Real Estate Services are also called trading services by some jurisdictions. Since each province’s and state’s laws may differ, it is generally …
Agency relationships with clients versus non-agency relationships with customers Relationship: Conventionally, the broker provides a conventional full-service, commission-based brokerage relationship under a signed listing agreement with a seller or a …
In the real estate world, FSBO means ?For Sale by Owner? which means the sellers are not using the services of a real estate agent to sell their property. While …
Aside from getting the address right, listing photographs are the most important part of the home sale listing. A study conducted by Michael Seiler of Old Dominion University stated that …
Here are 20 questions any home buyer should ask when considering a home purchase – 1. What year was the house built? If you’re not sure, you can look at …
How To Sell A Luxury Home For Sale By Owner (FSBO) When it comes toselling a home for sale by owner (FSBO)there is a large amount of work for the …
A bonafide purchaser(BFP) ? referred to more completely as a bonafide purchaser for value without notice ? is a term used predominantly in common law jurisdictions in the law of …
Approximately 52.2 million (or 21.3 percent) people in the U.S. participated in major means-tested government assistance programs each month in 2012, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. …
The process of buying or selling your home is quite complex, so you’re fortunate to have a real estate professional to guide you through some of the process. However, in …
Earnest money deposit Earnest money (which is held in escrow) is how sellers know you’re serious. Keep in mind that how much money you hand over upfront depends on a …
Condominium and PUD Ownership Builders, in an effort to combat the dual problem of an increasing population and a declining availability of prime land, are increasingly turning to common interest …
MOLD BASICS Why is mold growing in my home? Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such …
A land patent is an exclusive land grant made by a sovereign entity with respect to a particular tract of land. To make such a grant “patent”, a sovereign (proprietary …
How To Use The Wholesale Real Estate Forms… The Wholesale Purchase Agreements are used to put a property under contract with the seller. Typically a wholesaler will assign the contract …
What is a ‘ShortSale?’ A Short Sale takes place when homes are sold for less than the bank payoff, and the home seller does not have the funds to make …
During a buyer’s market, home buyer’s are agressive in their offers; making offers substantially below asking price with many seller concessions. As the market has shifted, buyer’s have had to …
The Myth of the ‘Discount Listing’ There are all kinds of business models that have been created in recent years to give home buyer’s and seller’s a choice in how …
Realtor Tools: the MLS The modern day MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is the method that information on real estate for sale and sold properties are disseminated throughout the real estate …
Land Survey: Defining a Property Often times when showing properties, a client asks me, “Where is the property lines?” As a purveyor of properties, it would make sense that we …
Here’s an overview of the basics, including seller disclosure requirements. Most listing agents will want you to sign an exclusive right to sell listing, which obligates you to pay a …
The real estate market is roaring back! And today’s market can be good news forwholesalerswho learn to capitalize on these opportunities. The real estate market is roaring back! One of …
Joint ventures, wholesaling and property management are just a few of the ways investors can profit from real estate, but it takes a little savvy to become successful in this …
Every seller pays for a real estate attorney or title company whether they sell a house with an agent or FSBO. Hire a lawyer to protect your home sale and …
11 Best For Sale by Owner Sites 2018 By Allison Bethell on April 22, 2018 | Real Estate Investing | Comments (4) A for sale by owner (FSBO) is a …
Tough times can motivate, frustrate agent-less sellers Four years ago, when Judy Cruz decided to try to sell her house on her own, it couldn’t have been easier. She struck …
Housing Trends Since 1950: The Difference Will Shock You For the last few years, home buyers have done battle with some challenging housing trends: fewer homes to choose from, rising …
The Post-Industrial Era Is Over ByLESTER C. THUROW The sun is about to set on the post-industrial era. No one should mourn its passing. In the post-industrial era, service jobs …
How the Internet Changed Real Estate For many years, real estate agents were the single most important gatekeepers of information regarding local real estate. If you wanted to know which …
Make Sure Your Kansas Mechanics Lien Has the Required Information It is crucial to make sure your Kansas mechanics lien contains all of the information specifically required by Kansas? lien …
Drafting a mechanic’s lien and ?notice of intent? (?429.100) involves crucial steps that can be harmful to your case if overlooked. Whether you forgot to verify the ?just and true …
Buying a primary residence for home buyers is a financial decision but also an emotional decision that involves many lifestyle factors. For most home buyers, the purchase of am primary …
Visualize a real estate purchase contract with just a few extra words added to your name as the buyer. This would look something like this: “Buyer: John J. Doe, and/or …
I’m not here to puff up real estate investing, nor to convince people that they can get rich quick in the business. However, there are people getting pretty nicely compensated …
A contingency clause defines a condition or action that must be met for a real estate contract to become binding. A contingency becomes part of a binding sales contract when …
Long-term real estate appreciation rate in the U.S. Before we talk actual real estate appreciation rates, let’s talk about why you’d want to know what they are in the first …
If you’re anything like me, you can ALWAYS use another online platform to advertise your property listings ? especially when that platform is FREE. In this blog post, I’m going …
Real estate inspection. The three little words can cause palpitations in even the sturdiest souls. For potential homebuyers, a real estate inspection means the house they have recently fallen in …
Buying or selling a home is best done with some assistance. Real estate brokers have access to the Multiple Listing Service in their geographical area and have obtained the educational …
The top 11 FSBO Marketing Wesites To determine the best for sale by owner sites, we looked at a variety of factors including how much it costs to list your …
Title Insurance What is a Title? A title is the evidence or right a person has to the ownership and possession of land. A defect in the title can be …
Selling your home means making dozens (if not hundreds) of decisions, starting with whether to work with a real estate agent. While the vast majority of homeowners hire a listing …
For those hoping to maximize profits on a home sale, posting a ?for sale by owner? sign in the yard is an appealing option. Real estate brokers typically take 5 …
5 Reasons You Should For Sale by Owner (FSBO) More and more homeowners are taking advantage of the technology-based tools available to help them list, market and sell their own …
The common saying ?location, location, location? is often but not always true. Though location does affect a property’s value, this value can also shift up and down depending on how …
FSBO: Win-Win for Consumers and Attorneys There is value in a diverse new client funnel. Fundamental changes in technology have created new opportunities for lawyers. There may be no better …
As summer approaches, perhaps you’re daydreaming about putting in a swimming pool or buying a property with a backyard pool. That way you can take a dip and cool off …
How to Prepare Your House for Sale The little things can make a big difference Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar, but it takes …
The seller’s agent is typically the person who draws up a purchase agreement, but what happens if the home is for sale by owner (FSBO) and the seller isn’t represented …
The Truth about the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) of 1972 Written on November 4, 2013 byLucas Hall, updated on December 14, 2015 The Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant …
Lollygagging around a real estate transaction can end up killing the deal. Sometimes when you find that perfect house for the perfect price, you need to strike quickly to get …
Want to save money? People have known for a long time that you don’t have to use a real estate agent to buy a home. The 3% commission that the …
By Dennis Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, Aug. 28, 2014 Condominiums have been selling quickly and at good prices in Lakeview this year, so Matt Sulkowski recently decided to see what …
More U.S. households are renting than at any point in 50 years BY ANTHONY CILLUFFO, ABIGAIL GEIGER AND RICHARD FRY A decade after the housing bust upended the lives of …
FSBO is ?down,? but is it really? The 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers by the National Association of Realtors? (NAR) found that for sale by owner (FSBO) sales …
How to Talk to Your Parents About Assisted Living Share: One of the most asked questions regarding senior care involves “the conversation”…or how to talk with your parents about assisted …
OVERVIEW As charitable entities, private foundations have proven to be incredibly successful engines of positive change. In the 20th century, private foundations helped bring about everything from Sesame Street to …
What is a ‘Living Trust’ A living trust is a type of trust created during a person’s lifetime. It’s designed to allow for the easy transfer of the trust creator …
What is a ‘Probate’ A probate is a legal process in which a will is reviewed to determine whether it is valid and authentic. Probate also refers to the general …
Here are some answers to common questions about handling a tenant’s abandoned property in Kansas. If a tenant leaves property behind, can I dispose of it as I see fit …
EVICTION PROCESS STEPS IN THE EVICTION PROCESS In All cases an attorney should be consulted for additional information. 1. NOTICE TO VACATE ? Written three (3) day notice to vacate, …
So, you think you know everything there is to know about the legal description of your property. If you had to, you could dig up that old plat and calculate …
Simply stated, “constructive eviction” is a landlord’s act or failure to act that substantially interferes with or permanently deprives a tenant from using its leased premises. Constructive eviction relieves tenants …
PAY RENT ONLINE: LIST OF ONLINE RENT PAYMENT TOOLS Simplify your rent collection. Instead of waiting for those checks to come in the mail or going and collecting the rent, …
We all know the potential problems with renting ? rent hikes, strict pet policies and less control over fixtures and paint color choices, to name a few. But beyond the …
A general home inspection is a necessary and common step in the home-buying process. However, there are other potentially important inspections that could affect your home purchase. Usually suggested by …
Being an abstractor, title agent, escrow/closing agent, notary public, or title examiner is a complex responsibility with customers expecting superior performance and error-free results. For example, a loan closer performed …
Communication Considering that nearly 35% of Americans currently reside in approximately 40 million rental units throughout the country it is surprising that so few of us really understand how to …
Comparing commercial real estate to residential real estate is like comparing apples to oranges. Both are from the same genre, but that is where the similarities end. The following are …
If you’ve ever house-hunted, you’ve probably got a sense that real estate purchases don’t represent consumers at their most rational. Did you like a house or apartment more, or less, …
PRICE Homeowners believe they will save the real estate commission by selling on their own, and while that may be true, studies have also show that homeowners net more money …
You recently moved into your new home. Prior to closing, you had an inspection performed and reviewed the Seller Disclosure. However, after the first rain storm you realize there are …
For the majority of U.S. history – or at least as far back as reliable information goes – housing prices have increased only slightly more than the level of inflation …
Missouri Affidavit as to Death of Grantor The Nonprobate Transfers Law of Missouri, Sections 461.003 to 461.081 RSMo (2012) has been in effect since 1989. While the law is specific …
Transactional Real Estate Law January 17, 2013, By Guest Blogger By Troy A. Rule, Associate Professor of Law Almost every successful company needs physical space in which to operate. Consequently, …
In today’s market, with home prices rising and a lack of inventory, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their homes on their own, known in the industry as a …
SOURCE UNKNOWN HTTPS://FSBOMIDWEST.COM FSBO VS. AGENT Have you seen the claim that research shows that real estate agents sell homes for 13% higher prices than people who sell their homes …
Did you know that it matters whether or not a person is married when they are buying or selling a house? In Missouri, married people have marital rights to any …
If you’re shopping for a home, odds are you should be shopping for a home loan as well?and these days, it’s by no means a one-mortgage-fits-all model. Where you live, …
Housing Trends Since 1950: The Difference Will Shock You For the last few years, home buyers have done battle with some challenging housing trends: fewer homes to choose from, rising …
Drafting a mechanic’s lien and ?notice of intent? (?429.100) involves crucial steps that can be harmful to your case if overlooked. Whether you forgot to verify the ?just and true …
The average 6 percent sales commission that most real estate agents get is a high price to pay, especially if you believe economists who say that realtors don’t sell homes …
Has the Internet killed real estate agents yet? Back in 2002 when I was first interested in buying a house, I went on the Internet and found lots of houses …
What’s the Difference Between Joint Tenancy and Tenancy in Common? When two or more people own a home, either as a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, each individual owns …
In 2007, the U.S. economy entered a mortgage crisis that caused panic and financial turmoil around the world. The financial markets became especially volatile, and the effects lasted for several …
It’s crucial for home sellers and agents to remain active on social media Millennials now make up 66 percent of the market for first-time homebuyers, and 99 percent of those …
An implied-in-fact contract is a form of an implied contract formed by non-verbal conduct, rather than by explicit words. The United States Supreme Court has defined it as “an agreement …
What are the Remedies for Breach of Contract? There are several remedies for breach of contract, such as award of damages, specific performance, rescission, andrestitution. In courts of limited jurisdiction, …
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to contract disputes is that judges will typically reduce the dispute to the lowest common denominator, that is, they’ll narrow the …
12 Ways to Foul Up a Real Estate Transaction By Evan L. Loeffler One would think that the transfer of ownership of real estate from one party to another should …
The success of McDonald’s can be attributed in part to the taste of the iconic fast food chain’s shakes and burgers. But the real secret sauce has everything to do …
Real Estate and Marriage Married couples usually own most, if not all, of their valuable property together. If you want to leave everything to your spouse, as many people do, …
The most deadly and widespread war in modern history acted as a devilish bellows on the fire of the American economy. Developments in industry, aviation, medicine, electronics and atomic energy …
The Probate Process The process unofficially ?begins? when a person dies. The person who passed away, known as the decedent, may or may not have left a will (or may …
The purchase of a home is often the largest transaction a person will undertake in a lifetime. As a result, a prospective home buyer should take all precautions possible to …
Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Most every type of home loan program will offer the option of a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate mortgage. A fixed-rate mortgage will have the same …
Don’t be startled to discover that you must ‘share? part of your land. In certain types of real estate transactions, it’s not until the middle of the deal that home …
Plats and Surveys. What do these words mean? If you?ve recently purchased or acquired a tract of land and plan on dividing it, adding to it, or otherwise developing it, …
Selling your home on your own is doable and maybe you don’t need a professional to get the job done but there are some things to consider before committing to …
What’s better – single family rentals or multifamily properties Even in times like these, as commercial real estate is heating up and it’s more difficult to find good deals, investors …
Homeowners already know the many tax breaks that Uncle Sam offers, most notably mortgage interest and property tax deductions. Well, he also has good tax news for home sellers: Most …
Real estate wholesaling occurs when a party (the “wholeseller”) contracts with a home seller, markets the home to potential buyers, and then assigns the contract to one of them. The …
There’s this old saying that says the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. That especially applies to investing. It’s never …
In 2017 Americans learned to expect the unexpected, whether it be politics, weather or housing. Driven by record low inventory, little about the housing market went as forecast last year. …
As the real estate market continues to evolve, new trends are emerging for 2018. Buyers will be more in control as the housing supply will finally catch up with buyer …
When you’re divorcing, one of the questions curious friends and family eventually ask is, ?So . . . are you going to keep the house?? While a simple answer would …
At what cost, percentage wise, is it better to rent than buy, if you plan on staying at a given location forever? Buying a home is likely the most expensive …
Almost all real estate transactions begin with the signing of a real estate contract. This document is the most important document in the entire transaction. The contract sets forth the …
If you’ve been sharing a driveway with your neighbor for years courtesy of an easement on your property, there could come a time when the arrangement no longer works for …
Possession is nine-tenths of the law is an expression meaning that ownership is easier to maintain if one has possession of something, or difficult to enforce if one does not. …
Buying or selling a home rarely happens overnight, and it’s not uncommon for buyers or sellers to interface or even work with multiple agents. Best-case scenario, the right agent shows …
In Missouri, as is the case in other states, both real and personal property may be titled in many different ways. An individual may hold title to property. A corporation …
A gift occurs when a voluntary transfer for less than full consideration or compensation occurs from a donor to a donee. A valid gift must satisfy the following criteria, to …
If Medicaid pays for nursing home care, the state can try to collect reimbursement for these costs from the person’s assets after he or she dies. Medicaid will often pay …
1. Hackers Stealing Your Down Payment “A hacker could fool you into thinking he’s your agent and trick you into sending him money, which you’ll never get back. It’s so …
Promissory Notes To fully understand the difference between a mortgage and a deed of trust, you must first understand promissory notes. Homebuyers usually think of the mortgage or deed of …
Owning a home is the fulfillment of the American dream. For others, it is their worst nightmare. Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make …
An auction is a highly efficient and expeditious way to sell any type of real estate. The terms are straightforward and competitive bidding generates market value. Below are some key …
It may be hard to believe, but I receive calls regularly from buyers and sellers that have become estranged from there realtor or feel they are being taken advantage of …
FSBO TRENDS IN THE MARKETPLACE The traditional way of selling real estate continues to change exponentially because of 1) a general dislike of real estate agents, 2) the desire to …
Almost half of people in their early 20s have a secret, one they don’t usually share even with friends: Their parents help them pay the rent. Moving into adulthood has …
Airbnb Is Facing an Existential Expansion Problem Tom Slee JULY 11, 2016 Surprisingly, the new Airbnb ad campaign exhorts you not to be a tourist: ?Don’t go to Paris, don’t …
Acknowledgement and jurat certificates are the two most common notarial acts, yet there is confusion about the difference between these forms for many signers. Some notaries even find it difficult …
Employers can get into legal trouble if they ask interviewees about their religion, sexual preference, or political affiliation. Yet they can use social media to filter out job applicants based …
A Lawyers involvement in residential house sales began dwindling in the 1980s with the advent of HUD regulations requiring title insurance for mortgages, secured by residential properties, which were being …
Why Is “Full Disclosure” Important? In business transactions, especially real estate deals, the contract often contains a full disclosure requirement. Full disclosure means being truthful and forthcoming about anything the …
Real estate! It’s the way to make money ? or so some people claim. On the surface, it seems likes like a surefire bet; in reality, it’s usually more headache …
TENANT?S DEFENSES The most common complaints made by tenants deal with the condition of the property. Major problems that affect the habitability of the premises are covered by therelated doctrines …
Real estate wholesaling is similar to flipping except that the time frame is much shorter and no repairs are made to the home before the wholesaler sells it. A real …
You want extra income and you just happen to have extra space in your house. What could be more logical than turning a portion of your home into a small …
REAL ESTATE LAW Transfer-on-Death Deeds A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed, or beneficiary deed, allows an owner of real property to execute a deed that names a beneficiary who will obtain …
NONPOROUS BACKFILL. Soils loaded with clay or organic matter hold water like a sponge, increasing the risk of foundation cracks when the soil freezes and expands. RUSHING THE CURE. Concrete …
Tips on Rental Real Estate Income, Deductions and Recordkeeping If you own rental real estate, you should be aware of your federal tax responsibilities. All rental income must be reported …
By Michele Lerner December 5, 2013 If you?ve toured a newly built model home recently, you may have noticed a few things missing: a formal living room or the once-popular …
1. We’ll return to normal (Anyone remember normal?) The year ahead will see healthy growth in home sales and prices, but at a slower pace than in 2015. This slowdown …
1. Severability Though a legal precaution, this?is perhaps one of the most important clauses in a lease. This clause states that if?one aspect of the lease is found to be …
From the first decision to invest in real estate to actually buying your first rental property, there is a lot of work to be done. This task may be daunting …
Written By: Miranda Marquit Right now, I am in the process of a cross-country move. As part of this move, my husband and I have decided to sell our home. …
Inheritance law governs the rights of a decedent’s survivors to inherit property. Depending on the type of inheritance law your state has, a surviving spouse may be able to claim …
A common public misconception is that “per unit” land values apply universally within a market locale. That is, a three acre site is sometimes thought to command the same “per …
Single-Family Home – The most common definition of a single-family home is: An individual, freestanding, unattached dwelling unit, typically built on a lot larger than the structure itself, resulting in …
by: Andrew Sarazin Encountering a boundary dispute with an adjacent neighbor is a fairly common issue for landowners. There are many ways a boundary dispute can arise. Sometimes, deed descriptions …
A guy walks up to a lady on a New York City street and asks, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” And the lady says, “Practice, young man. Practice.” …
?Changes mandated by the CFPB spell the end of “Closings” and the advent of the “Consummation.” The lending process for residential real estate closings is poised for dramatic changes later …
Background The end of World War II marked the beginning of a housing boom throughout the United States. Many returning soldiers became first time home owners with the help of …
Homeowners are getting choosier.?Coldwell banker says?59% of homeowners accepted the first offer on a home sale 10 years back. Now, only 46% do so, suggesting owners are pickier in selling …
Mistake #1 ? Overpricing Everyone wants to realize as much as possible when they list their home for sale. Here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, just like the …
After world war two soldiers came home and mass prduced housing in suburbs became popular. ?In the Kansas City Area this is reflected in many subdivisions within the I-435 loop …
11 Reasons Why I Never Want To Own A House Again Kelly Phillips Erb ,FORBES STAFF Homeownership isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Learn how to find the perfect …
Since the day the first domain was registered in 1985, the Internet has not stopped growing. It has sailed through multiple recessions and one near-collapse and kept on increasing in …
By Adam R. Burrus Mechanic’s liens provide vendors and laborers with an important way of protecting themselves from the danger of not being paid. However, if the liens are not …
IN ABOUT 40 minutes, Cindy Manit will let a complete stranger into her car. An app on her windshield-mounted iPhone will summon her to a corner in San Francisco’s South …
The agent suggests the highest price for your house. If you’re selling your house, get listing presentations from at least three agents, who will tell you what comparable homes have …
7 Negotiating Points In Broker Listing Agreements Most sales of commercial real estate begin when the seller retains a broker. The seller’s choice of the broker can depend upon a …
Maybe its because were taught to find an older mentor. Or maybe its because people who are gray around the temples simply look wiser. Whatever the reason, when you are …
Two-and-a-half years into the U.S. housing recovery, the real-estate industry is rolling out new ways for individuals to invest in the property market. Brokers, property managers and others are helping …
Kristi Taylor can pinpoint the precise moment she let go of the dream of homeownership. It was a few months ago, as she and her husband and infant son were …
Any landlord who wishes to evict a residential tenant in Missouri must follow the steps of the Missouri eviction process. There are number of valid reasons for which a landlord …
Offering owner financing is a sensible way to sell property and extremely common all over the country (it has been estimated that approximately 10%-15% of property sold is now done …
While many investors spend a large amount of time and effort carefully researching the property markets and then finding the top investment, they ignore the role that a professional property …
From the MLS to personal networks, the real estate industry thrives on the timely dissemination of information. Until recently, real estate professionals were the exclusive custodians of that information, and …
Unlike attorneys, real estate brokers do not have the same professional duties of loyalty to their clients. In many states, brokers are permitted by law to engage in “dual agency.” …
The Riskiest Business Property condition disclosure is a major legal risk for brokers today, according to findings from NAR’s new Legal Scan analysis. OCTOBER 2011 | BY G.M. FILISKO The …
Your first priority may be to evict the tenant from the leased premises, which you will be entitled to do if you obtained a judgment for possession. Caution: To avoid …
Would you like a career with a stable and steady income, guaranteed days off and a five-day workweek? Then being a real estate agent is NOT the job for you. …
by Ellen Cannon Published on October 18th, 2012 This is a guest post from Holly Johnson. Holly is a 32-year-old wife, mother of two, and frugal lifestyle enthusiast. She blogs …
The ?open office? environment has become increasingly popular as many corporate clients have made a concerted effort to reduce their real estate footprint while increasing collaboration among employees. The traditional …
Disclosing Defects When Selling a Home When a person is selling a home, they are generally obligated to disclose any material defects?or problems in the property. While laws covering full …
By Chris Seabury ?| Every year, millions of homeowners deal with property taxes. In most situations, when the tax bill comes, if it seems reasonable, most people would pay it …
What if you live in Missouri and have a next door neighbor that has made living next to a living hell?. ?Such as spotlights being placed on the house so …
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/to-do-before-hiring-agent-1.aspx
by John Paul Ruiz, QKA, CISP, Director of Professional Development on Jun 29, 2014 On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban on same sex-marriages in the …
The main participants in real estate markets are: Owner/user: These people are both owners and tenants. They purchase houses or commercial property?as an investment and also to live in or …
We often hear from taxpayers — all well-intentioned — who lost or seriously compromised their valuable exemptions or Save Our Homes (SOH) protection when they made ?do-it-yourself? changes to a …
What is a Joint Tenancy? Joint tenancy is a form of ownership by two or more individuals together. It differs from other types of co-ownership in that the surviving joint …
By Kansas City Divorce Attorney Mark Wortman on February 8, 2009. The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District of Missouri has just recently upheld the Missouri exemption (protection …
By Kristi Bunge Sounds pretty simple if there are just 10 things to advise Landlords about with regard to fair housing law. Unfortunately there are more than just the 10 …
Renting out part of your home can boost cash flow, but first take a look at what it takes to be a landlord. By Pat Mertz Esswein, August 2011 Homeowners …
Wild fluctuations in the nation’s real estate cycle have taken investors on a roller coaster ride since the early part of this century. From the first decade, marked by overheated …
KC Star 12/4/2015 Over the past five years, the Missouri housing market has been slow to recover. However, some argue the market’s recovery started in 2011. It wasn’t until 2012, …
From Kansas City Star 7/22/2015 – You pass through it every day, often multiple times a day. Heading to work. Dropping the kids off. Running errands. The garage door has …
Be carefull what you do if you are a tenant. ?Missouri law allows a landlord an expedited proceedure for eviction in the case of certain illegal uses of the premises. …
Humans have the territorial instincts of jungle beasts. Boundary disputes costing thousands of pounds in legal and surveyors’ fees are often fought over a few centimetres. A spiral of charges …
BY BETH BRAVERMAN, The Fiscal Times March 27, 2015 Along with green shoots and chirping birds, one sure sign of spring is popping up in neighborhoods across the country: For …
BY YAEL T. ABOUHALKAH abouhalkah@kcstar.com Welcome to the fastest-growing county in the Kansas City area, where houses, schools and shops are being built to serve a flood of new residents. …
Written by Realty Mogul Equity real estate investing has real tax benefits The tax benefits of real estate investing are attractive, but until recently many investors had difficulty participating in …
Seller financing can be a useful tool in a tight credit market. It allows sellers to move a home faster and get a sizable return on the investment. And buyers …
DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 Foreclosure inventory plunged nearly 25 percent in April as the number of completed foreclosures which reflect the total number of homes …
The word “inflation” strikes fear into the hearts of many Americans. It conjures worries of a stagnating economy, rising prices, a falling dollar and an income that just can’t keep …
Most Americans suffered serious losses during and after the recession, knocked off balance by layoffs, stagnant pay, and the collapse of home values. But apart from the super-rich, one group’s …
Real Estate Services: Construction Law Purchase Agreements Financing Refinancing Title Insurance Claims Title Examination Short Sales Foreclosure Sheriff’s Sale Trustee’s Sale Eminent Domain Condemnation Loan Documentation Commercial Transactions Boundary & …
ROB ROBERTS | KCBJ A partnership led by Ted Ehney Jr. plans to redevelop this tower and attached annex at 601 Minnesota Ave. in Kansas City, Kan., into a mixed-use …
In today’s changing market homes are selling in more “nontraditional” ways than in the recent “bubbly” past. ?The three most common varieties of nontraditional sale are private money (otherwise known …
By ANNAMARIA ANDRIOTIS Two-and-a-half years into the U.S. housing recovery, the real-estate industry is rolling out new ways for individuals to invest in the property market. Brokers, property managers and …
By Than Merrill? ?Over the past five years, the Missouri housing market has been slow to recover. However, some argue the market’s recovery started in 2011. It wasn’t until 2012, …
May 28, 2015 Kent Hoover Sellers are in the driver’s seat in the housing market since there are lots of buyers looking at a limited number of houses. Sellers are …
One in three buyers of U.S. homes is paying cash, a record high number, according to data made available to McClatchy Newspapers. The trend is being driven by retiring baby …
kcrealestatelawyer – Mark A. Roy – ‘serves clients in Jackson County, Clay County, Platte County and Ray County and the communities of Kansas City, North Kansas City, Raytown, Grandview, Lee’s …
If you’re a buyer, our lawfirm can: Explain the terms of your purchase contract Protect you from hidden liabilities with respect to your new home Review real estate documents that …
Filing bankruptcy can be a long-term solution for some people, depending on what the debtor is trying to accomplish. ?Benefits provided by bankruptcy: Surrender ? If a debtor wishes to …
By Brandon Turner I knew it would be the worst day of my life. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I saw it coming. And it scared me to death. …
Only about one in four former homeowners who lost property during the housing crash will soon become buyers again as tight credit keeps many out of the U.S. real estate …
Real estate has been one of the best performing assets since 2009. No, we’re not talking about regular people’s homes. The biggest gains have come from so-called real estate investment …
A house is a better hedge against inflation than a savings account. Inflation is often defined as a sustained increase in prices for a broad range of goods. Economists explain …
THE NEW URBANISM TREND: LIVING AT THE SHOPPING CENTER The 10-year-old Zona Rosa, the $200 million mixed-use neighborhood up north at Barry Road, is largely credited as jump-starting the latest …
Even with forecasts for a rise in home-improvement spending this year, it’s still going to be a challenge to convince sellers to pay for upgrades that will please buyers. But …
For most people, a 30 year mortgage is the easiest path to home ownership. While a 30 year loan makes it a lot easier to land a new home, it’s …
Asking Discriminating Questions A landlord should refrain from asking certain questions to a prospective tenant. This is one of the more serious legal mistakes that landlords make. Because the federal …
BY BETH BRAVERMAN, The Fiscal Times March 27, 2015 Along with green shoots and chirping birds, one sure sign of spring is popping up in neighborhoods across the country: For …
Unfortunately – this act expired December 31st, 2014, however the exceptions below are still in effect. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation If you owe a debt …
When you hear of a property going to auction, do you immediately assume that the property is in the hands of a bank or a foreclosure company attempting to recover …
It’s no secret that real estate agents earn high commissions. Although the commission is usually paid by the seller, the cost may be indirectly passed on to you. And real …
Investors should consider three keys to success: 1. Pay off the mortgages. Assuming you purchase property that is profitable from the start, not having a mortgage every month can significantly …
Selling your house can be one of the most tense and emotional tasks you will face in your life. For most, the house became a place to express yourself and …
All numbers appear to be indicate that as of today 4/9/2015 it is a seller market. If you have a portfolio of properties to sell this would be a great …
Homebuilders’ confidence fell in October 2014 after four months of gains that had pushed the indicator to the highest level in nine years.
Mortgage rates tumbled this week. The 30 loan hit its lowest since June 2013 as Treasury bond yields marked new lows amid concern over global economic weakness.
Sales of new and existing homes was down 1% from July 2013. Existing home sales fell 1% but new home sales were up 2% from 1 year ago. The average …
