LOAN SUBORDINATION
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 …
CONSIDERATIONS IN GIVING REAL ESTATE TO YOUR CHILDREN
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 …
WHEN IS A TAX GAIN RECOGNIZED WITH A CONTRACT FOR DEED?
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 …
WHAT DOES THE VIRUS MEAN TO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
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 …
WHAT DOES THE VIRUS MEAN FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE?
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 …
SUBORDINATION, NON-DISTURBANCE AND ATTORNMENT AGREEMENTS
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 …
MEDICAID, MEDICARE, AND REAL ESTATE
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 …
AFFIDAVIT OF DEATH
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 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, …
SEVEN FACTORS THAT MAKE REAL ESTATE INVESTING FAVORABLE
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 …
HTTPS://FLATFEELEGALPROTECTION.COM
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 …
TRANSMUTATION AGREEMENT
A transmutation agreement is a postnuptial agreement that changes the character of the spouses property from community to separate, or vice versa. It may be used to change the character …
PREPAID ITEMS VS CLOSING COSTS
What does prepaid mean? Prepaid items are exactly what the name implies – payments made in advance of the monies due to obtain your new loan. These amounts are often …
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REAL ESTATE LAWYER AND A REAL ESTATE AGENT
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 …
THE 5 BIGGEST SELLER MISTAKES
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 …
WHAT IS USUFRUCT?
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 …
WHAT IS A WRAP AROUND MORTGAGE?
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 …
BENEFITS OF OWNER FINANCING
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 …
MARITAL PROPERTY
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 …
CO-LIVING
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 …
WHAT IS A CORRECTIVE DEED?
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 …
HOW TO GET A HANDLE ON YOUR FINANCES WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING YOUR FIRST CHILD
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 …
DISCLOSURE THAT MUST BE MADE BY FLIPPERS
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 …
FINANCIAL FRAUD
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 …
MONTH TO MONTH TENANCY
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 …
LEGAL PROTECTION PLAN FOR YOUR HOME SALE OR PURCHASE
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 …
EASEMENTS
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 …
WHAT IS A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL?
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 …
COVENANTS THAT RUN WITH REAL ESTATE
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 …
REAL ESTATE AGENT VS. REAL ESTATE LAWYER
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 …
REVERSE MORTGAGES
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 …
GIFT TAX
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 …
MISSOURI ABANDONMENT LAW
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 …
CAPACITY TO SIGN A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT
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?
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 …
WHAT IS CROWDFUNDING?
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 …
EARNEST MONEY DEPOSITS
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 …
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
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 …
ROOFING AND INSURANCE
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?
“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?
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 RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE VALUATION
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
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 CHECK FRAUD
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 …
CASH FOR KEYS
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. …
FIRST TIME HOME BUYER MISTAKES
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 …
TENANCY IN COMMON VS. JOINT TENANTS
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 …
GIFT TAX
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 …
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
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 …
9 REAL ESTATE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
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 …
TITLE INSURANCE
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 PROPERTY BACK AFTER TAX SALE IN MISSOURI
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 …
NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS
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 EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
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 …
11 BIGGEST REAL ESTATE MISTAKES
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 …
RESTRAINT ON ALIENTATION
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 LAWYERS DO?
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?
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 …
SINGLE FAMILY VS MULTI-FAMILY INVESTMENT
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 …
SELLING A PROPERTY WITH A TENANT
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?
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 …
SPECIAL USE REAL ESTATE VALUATION
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 …
FORGED DEED VS FRAUDULENT DEED
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 …
THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE TAX EXEMPTION UNDER IRS CODE SECTION 121
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 …
10 ARCHITECTURAL HOUSE STYLES
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 …
CLOSING DATE VS. POSSESSION DATE
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
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 …
REQUIRED HOME SALE DISCLOSURES
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 …
9 COMMON NOTARY MISTAKES
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 …
12 TIPS FOR A HAPPY LIFE
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: …
REQUIRED DISCLOSURES WHEN SELLING A HOUSE
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 …
DUE ON SALE CLAUSE
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 TAX BASIS?
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 CONTRACT
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
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 …
WHAT IS A REVERSE 1031 EXCHANGE?
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 …
1031 EXCHANGE EXPLAINED
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 …
WHAT IS AGENCY?
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 …
WHAT IS A LIFE ESTATE?
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 …
REAL ESTATE BROKERS, AGENTS, AND FORMS OF AGENCY
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 …
WHERE TREASURES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN HOUSES
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?
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 …
WHAT IS DOWN 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 …
TOP 10 REASONS TO HAVE YOUR PROPERTY SURVEYED
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 …
CONSTRUCTIVE EVICTION
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 …
MAKE RENT PAYMENTS ONLINE
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, …
10 REASONS TO RENT AND NOT BUY
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 …
AVAILABLE INSPECTIONS FOR HOME BUYERS
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 …
TITLE AGENCY E&O INSURANCE
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 …
10 TIPS FOR RENTERS
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 AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
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 …
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF REAL ESTATE
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, …
A REAL ESTATE AGENTS VIEW OF FSBO TRANSACTIONS
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 …
THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND LIABILITY-UNDISCLOSED DEFECTS
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 …
HIGHER RATE OF HISTORICAL RETURN – REAL ESTATE VS. STOCK MARKET
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 …
FILE AFFIDAVIT AFTER DEATH OF GRANTOR OF A BENEFICIARY DEED
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 …
WHAT IS A TRANSACTIONAL REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY?
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, …
AN AGENTS VIEW OF FSBO
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 …
FSBO VS AGENT?
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 …
MARRIAGE AND REAL ESTATE
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 …
6 TYPES OF HOME LOANS
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
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 …
TOP TIPS FOR FILING A MECHANICS LIEN IN MISSOURI
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 …
Airbnb is facing an Existential Expansion problem
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 …
Ackowledgement vs Jurat – 2 forms of notarial acts
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 …
Technology – Society and Laws cannot keep up with pace of changes
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 …
THE IMPORTANCE OF A REAL ESTATE LAWYER IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
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 …
Disclosures in Real Estate Transactions
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 …
Is being a landlord it worth it? Six big challenges.
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 …
Missouri Constructive Eviction Law for Tenants to use as Affirmative Defense
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. Limitation of risk and capital
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 …
Renting Out Part of Your Home What to Expect for Income and Repairs
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 …
Kansas City Real Estate Lawyer – Missouri Legal Online Services: Book a video call for help with legal needs: Beneficiary, Quit Claim Deeds, Contract Review, Trusts, Disputes, Marital Waiver, Investments, Commercial & Residential articles below.
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 …
Common reasons why foundations fail
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
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 …
Here’s a closer look at the trends that will have the greatest impact on the housing market in 2016.
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 …
TERMS THAT SHOULD BE IN EVERY LEASE AGREEMENT
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 …
Very Important if you are considering buying a rental property
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 …
What to do if you are upside down on your home.
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 and Your Rights
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 …
Size Impropriety In Land Value Analysis-Land Valuation
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 …
Different definitions and forms of residential real estate
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 …
Boundary Disputes
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 …
There’s a Reason It’s Called the Practice of Law
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.” …
Big Changes in Residential Real Estate Closing
?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 …
Residential Housing Post WWII
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 …
Changes in the real estate market over the last 10 years
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 …
5 Most Common Seller Mistakes
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 …
Residential Housing after WWII
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
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 …
The Internet Economy
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 …
Mechanic’s liens Must be done right to be Effective
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 …
HOW THE SHARING ECONOMY IS CHANGING THE MARKETPLACE
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 …
Pay attention to this before making a decision on choosing a listing agent
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 …
Listing a property for sale?
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 …
What every 22 year old graduate should know about the job market
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 …
New ways to profit from single family homes
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 …
Is home ownership a thing of the past?
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 …
Missouri Eviction Law
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 …
Benefits of Owner Financing
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 …
11 questions to ask your property manager
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 …
How the Internet Changed the Real Estate Industry Forever
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 …
Real Estate Brokers/Unauthorized Practice of Law?
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.” …
Sellers Disclosure Statement
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 …
Enforcing a Judgement for Possession in Missouri
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 …
Pros and Cons of being a Real Estate Agent
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. …
Being a landlord: Is it worth it?
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 incredible shrinking work space
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 …
Disclosures in A Residential Real Estate Transaction
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 …
How are property taxes calculated?
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 …
Is your neighbor or someone else stalking you? If so what can you do?
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 …
Here is a very good link for what sellers should do first before hiring a real estate agent
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/to-do-before-hiring-agent-1.aspx
Right to Marry Ruling: How it Affects Beneficiary Rights
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 …
Overview of real estate markets
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 …
Avoid Common Title Problems By Better Understanding the Different Types of Ownership
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 …
Joint Tenancy
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 …
Tenancy by the Entireties exemption for Married Couples Holds ? Case Law Update
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 …
10 Things Landlords Should Know About Fair Housing
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 …
How to Profit From Your Basement Rental
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 …
Current state of the real estate market (2015)
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 …
Current state of the Kansas City Real Estate Market
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, …
Its a sellers market
The Kansas City Star reported this week that there was a 3.5 month supply of homes for sale in Kansas City, Missouri. This makes the current market a very strong …