Only in America!

A recent memo from the legal department of the California Association of Realtors® has brought to our attention some changes in rules for advertising mortgage loans.

Court Rules Against Lender's Attempt to Cut Commission During a Short Sale

New Loan Disclosure Rules May Cause Escrow Delays

 

Tenants In Foreclosed Properties Will Benefit From New Federal Law

Ethics Rules Apply to What is Said on Blogs

Unlike many state agencies, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) is not supported by the state’s general fund.    In the case of the DRE, the bulk of the money it brings in is from the issuance of new and renewal licenses and from fees charged for the administration of licensing examinations.

California Realtors® Oppose Requirement for Energy Audits at Time of Sale.

New agents should look for good companies – ETHICALLY good companies.

Tax Assessments can be Appealed,
but Must be done Correctly

Videos Will Help In-Office Ethics Training

Real estate agents and brokers who are not perfect should be pleased by a ruling from California's Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal in the case of Ulloa v. McMillin Real Estate.

Home buyer and seller surveys give agents good scores on ethics!

C.A.R. form reminds of short sale pitfalls.

Sellers and their agents should pay attention to Homebuyer Survey.

HOA transfer fees may be high, but the law does not limit them.

Lease options are back:PROCEED CAREFULLY

Moral Turpitude No Longer A Requirement For License Revocation

Do Homeowners who live in a common interest development and are subject to CC&Rs and rules adopted by the HOA give up their rights of free speech?

Realtor code covers false statements about competitors…

Lack of entry-level buyers may explain rise in median price.

Short Pay Addendum Provides a Wake-Up Call

Agents Have Obligations To Honor Client Confidences

If it is true that ethics in business and ethics in everyday life are the same, it is legitimate to ask, why are codes of professional ethics sometimes so complicated?

A counteroffer is a rejection of the offer (or a previous counteroffer) to which it is a response.  This is an important point for sellers to remember in this "normal" market in which we now find ourselves. 

Private Transfer Taxes Ought To Be Clearly Disclosed

Regrettably, resume padding is not all that uncommon in our society.

If The Seller Is In Default, Buyers Need To Be Careful ! 

CRAIGSLIST Not Responsible For Discriminatory Ads Placed By Users

Suppose that homes owned by real estate agents tended to sell for more than homes owned by non-agents.  What would explain that fact?

Social Scientists Look At the Effect of Agent Remarks

Mortgage fraud was a BIG problem in the past, you may be surprised know that it is an even BIGGER problem today. 

Real Estate Brokerages Need To Review Their Do-Not-Call Policies!

Realtor® Association Takes Steps to Expedite Ethics Enforcement Procedures.

Regulators and investigators for HUD  might do well to consider the "broken windows" theory of policing when it comes to overseeing compliance with RESPA.

They're at it again .....

Association ethics rules may apply to those who are not members.

FIRPTA rules can cause escrow glitches ...

Agent's are used to discussions of disclosures about property. Sometimes, though, there are also disclosure issues about agents and even principals.

Effective January 1, 2006, there will be a change in the law regarding the minimum amount of time for giving notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy that has been in effect at least one year. 

Questions frequently arise with respect to security deposits.  "Is there a limit to what can be charged?"  "Must the landlord put the money in a trust account?"  "What can be deducted at the termination of tenancy?"  Etc. 

California law sets forth a rather elaborate procedure for determining the disposition of a tenant's security deposit.  These are found in the Civil Code at sections 1950.5(e) – 1950.5(g)(5).

It's a fair bet that, to most people, the Department of Justice  anti-trust suit against NAR is a yawner of a topic.  Perhaps, though, readers of this column will find the matter of more than passing interest. 

Assuming it will be approved by the Governor, a new bill in the California legislature will change the educational requirements for all real estate licensees withing the state.

Last week more than 8,000 members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) attended its mid-year conference and meetings in Washington, D.C. 

NAR Adopts Proposals to Tighten Rule Against Predatory Lending.

Legislation proposes requiring "Certificate of Merit" before filing suit against a Real Estate Broker.

California Civil Code sets forth rules for showing tenant-occupied property.

Many homeowner associations have rules regarding real estate signs. Those rules draw particular attention in the springtime, when "for sale" and "open house" signs begin to sprout.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued an order that clarifies how Do Not Call rules affect the telemarketing practices of real estate agents.

The American Jobs Creation Act contained a tax change pertaining to real estate - change relevant to persons who may have changed the use of what was an investment property into that of their own personal residence.

As a result of Assembly Bill 1338 there have been a few changes to the California law requiring tax withholding on the sale of real estate.    Read On!

Do residential real estate transactions need yet another layer of disclosures? Directors of the California Association of Realtors® (CAR) answered "yes" at their recent triannual meeting held in Monterey, California.

Much ado has been made of the recent ruling by Federal District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. against the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) in the case of ForSalebyOwner.com Corp v. Zinneman.    Read On ...