201605.27
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The Decade After

In the past roughly ten years, emphasis on roughly, nearly ten million (10,000,000) American homes were lost in foreclosure, short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosure!   While our current tepid recovery continues at an underwhelming pace, there is clearly a lack of enthusiasm for home ownership.    The “American Dream” seems out of reach to…

201605.23
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

On occasion we lose great employees, lawyers, staff, and friends of the firm as they go on to new callings or perhaps to meet their Maker.   Thankfully, this edition’s ‘WHERE ARE THEY NOW” is about the former. Matt Pittman, former law firm digital maintenance expert, network and computer guru, file scanning department leader and firm…

201605.18
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In a Rare Political Comment

We try to maintain a fairly objective and only mildly editorial real estate blog.   Admittedly, the road to Hades is paved with our good intentions at times.    So in the interests of keeping a clear conscience, I tell you unashamedly that the following is total editorial and opinion.  Read no further if that bothers you.  …

201604.15
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Creative Financing = Creative Tax Headaches

A client called today to have our lawfirm engage in a discussion with his CPA as to tax ramifications for “subject to” sales of homes.    For those of you who have never considered using “creative financing” to sell your home or buy a home, a “subject to” means the buyer takes over the seller’s mortgage…

201603.31
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True Life Borrowing Experiences

This is an actual email from a real life potential client: “Subject: Consultation for Mortgage inquiry To whom it may concern, I was wondering if it would be possible to set up an initial consultation in person, regarding an issue that I am having with understanding my rights as a first time home-buyer.  I am…

201504.28
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When a Deal is not a Deal

A wise man once said, and many wise real estate investors have repeated it :  “You make your money when you buy, not when you sell.” The point is that you don’t want to overspend on an investment or you can forget realizing a profit in this lifetime!  Sometimes it makes sense for a buyer…

201503.31
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The Triple “I” Intersection

At the intersection of Inventory, Income and Interest rates, we find the biggest pool of eligible buyers of new homes.     New road projects at that point on the map appear to be moving to a place that will reduce the pool of eligible buyers.   Take a minute and listen to the Real Estate Industry Blog…

201501.06
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Another Reason to Avoid Foreclosure

Our firm was recently contacted by a borrower who formerly took advantage of our free consultation on foreclosure prevention cases.   The homeowner ultimately decided to allow his home to go into foreclosure and not fight for a short sale or other remedy.  I don’t remember all the details why the decision was made to take…

201412.30
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Short sale tax break signed into law

No wonder our legislators and President are suffering such low approval ratings right now – with just 2 days to spare, they have finally re-enacted the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief provisions which keep Short Selling home occupants from facing stiff taxes on phantom income.    Unfortunately, 2015 is upon us and once again the collection of…