Author Archive
Loud and Clear – A summary of last night’s election results
It isn’t hard to define the voters’ message, they want Sacramento to make sacrifices in order to balance the budget, just like they have had to do in their own homes.
MCAR / County Assessor Reassessment Overview & Scams PSA
The Monterey County Assessors Office, in conjunction with MCAR, put together a Public Service Announcement which highlights the overall taxation process in California and more specifically, the reassessment process in Monterey County.
Recently, homeowners throughout the state began receiving notices from companies that stated they were paying too much in property tax and that for a [...]
MCAR Legal Update with C.A.R’s Gov Hutchinson
Gov Hutchinson, Assistant General Counsel for the California Association of REALTORS® was the key-note speaker for last week’s MCAR Legal Update.
Gov presented on numerous legal topics affecting agents in the field and briefed the membership on new laws impacting transactions, homeownership and general real estate practices. For those unable to attend, a video of the [...]
C.A.R.’s Joel Singer Presents on CA’s Market
C.A.R Executive Vice President Joel Singer presented on the state of the California Real Estate Market at MCAR’s April Brokers Lunch at Corral de Tierra.
Mr. Singer’s presentation highlights a number of national, statewide and local real estate issues that are shaping the dynamic market environment of today.
For those looking for a resource on what is [...]
Homeowner Foreclosure Resources and Scams
It’s no secret that foreclosures have been on the rise for the past number of months. It’s unfortunate, though almost predictable, that with this escalation individuals looking to exploit the impacted homeowner emerge from almost every vantage point. So-called “foreclosure rescue companies” attest to the ability to rescue you from foreclosure but, in the end, [...]
Q & A with MCAR Attorney Paul Gullion
By Paul D. Gullion, Attorney at Law
QUESTION: I am selling my house, and it needs lots of repairs that I don’t want to pay for. So I am just going to sell my house “as-is” and not tell the buyer? That’s OK, right?
ANSWER: No, and I would like to explain why (remember, you are [...]
Making Home Affordable Plan
On March 4, 2009, the Obama Administration released detailed guidelines for homeowners to help them determine if they qualify for the Administration’s new Making Home Affordable plan. This is a follow up to the Administration’s announcement on February 18 outlining their plan to stem the current tide of foreclosures and stabilize the nation’s housing [...]
Seaside Enforcing Business Lic. Ord.
In an effort to raise municipal revenue, the City of Seaside has begun enforcing it’s Business License Tax Ordinance. The ordinance (Municipal Code Sec. 5.04.260) levies a flat charge (and incremental escalator) on gross receipts for transactions which occur within the city limits of Seaside.
NOTE, this is not a new [...]
The Stimulus Package and Real Estate
The Stimulus Package and Real Estate
Last week the U.S. House of Representative passed H.R. 1, the Economic Recovery Package, by a 244 to 188 vote. The bill contains a number of issues critical to the real estate industry. One of the most important components included in the bill is the extension of the 2008 [...]
Q & A With Attorney Paul Gullion
January 27, 2009
By Paul D. Gullion
QUESTION: I am going to be hiring a company to do a job at my house. What are the steps I should take to avoid liability?
ANSWER: There are several legal issues involved in hiring people to work on your property, and certain steps should be taken to protect yourself. [...]
