Do Not Ignore Old Deeds, Mortgages, and Trusts Many property owners may be operating under the belief that old mortgages, deeds of trust, and other documents that provide a security interest in real property to secure a debt will disappear…
What Are Exclusive Easements in CA? An easement is defined as a tool within the legal system that grants someone other than the landowner to use a portion of land. An easement imposes limitations on how a person can use…
Home Improvement Contract If any home improvements are set to be made, California law has requirements. Contractors have to provide homeowners with a Home Improvement Contract (HIC). The HIC must comply with California law. The content of a construction agreement…
Falling Trees Mother Nature is a force that cannot be controlled. She does, however, impact everyday life. And some days nature can cause quite a stir. If you own property, chances are you will eventually run into an issue with…
Real Estate Withholding Credit for Pass-Through Entities According to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Business entities that pass through any income, credits or deductions to an owner additionally have to pass the real estate withholding credit. A pass through…
Liability of Broker in Real Estate Transactions A broker can be found liable on a contract or tort basis. A broker who is involved in a contract would be found liable if they do not comply with provisions in the…
Liquidated Damages Damages incurred because of a breach of contract are defined as liquidated damages. In order to avoid liquidated damages, parties must determine what is viable in advance. In California, if liquidated damages do not have a reasonable relationship…
Commercial Properties and Estoppel Certificates Estoppel certificates are particularly important when it comes to commercial property. Landlords, lenders, potential buyers and even tenants use Estoppel Certificates to sell, refinance, or transfer interests of commercial property. The information enclosed in Estoppel…
A Living Trust When planning your estate, a living trust is an essential part of organizing your assets. In California, a living trust is defined as a legal document that you author in order to place your assets in a…
What You Need to Know When Planning Your Estate Death is never an easy subject to breach. Most of us would rather not talk about it if necessary, however, a little planning goes a long way. It is important for…