Escrow?
Oh, do you mean “Escrow”? Or do you mean “Escrow”? Same word different function After all the articles I have written, I think it is about time I write a short piece regarding the meaning and function of …
How to Hold Title and Vesting?
Ways of Holding Title in Real Estate for Individuals (California) In California, there are a number of ways to hold ownership to real property. The way chosen should be done carefully as it does have legal and financial …
Earnest Money Deposit
(aka the Good Faith Deposit)
The Who, What, Where, When, and Why (and maybe even a Why, Not?) Disclaimer: The information given in this article is only intended to be a guide to the reader for transactions in which the information might be …
Continue Reading →Earnest Money Deposit
(aka the Good Faith Deposit)
The Art of Recording a Document
What do you mean the document got “pulled”? Every once in a while the unthinkable happens and the document that is sent to the California County Recorder’s office for recording is rejected, or “pulled”. This is a dreaded …
Corporations, LLCs and other Non-Individual Legal Entities, Oh, My!
There are many ways that a person can purchase and hold ownership of real estate and businesses. Which type of entity to use is a decision that has a lot to do with financial needs, the structure of …
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Bringing Escrow Into The 21st Century
When Technology is Moving Faster Than the Escrow Industry When technology is moving faster than the speed of light and the process of Escrow is moving at the speed of molasses, you know that the two worlds are …
Check Fraud! It Could Happen to You! Tips to Avoid Being a Victim
One of the most prevalent types of check scams is the passing of fraudulent checks to unsuspecting and naive sellers who post personal stuff for sale on public sites. Here is the setup: The sale piece is usually …
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A Look Back at the 2007
Mortgage Meltdown
Through the almost 40 years that I have been in this escrow industry, I have been through several economic roller coaster rides that have left me dizzy and hanging on, wondering what the industry would look like when …
California Property Taxes
Secured and Unsecured Taxes What is the difference? Taxes! The bane of our lives! Federal income tax, State income tax, property tax, sales tax, use tax, transfer tax, if the government can find a name for it, they …
California Real Estate Withholding
For All Sellers
Updated January, 2020 to reflect new Franchise Tax Board form (State of California Real Estate Withholding under the Revenue and Taxation Code Section 18662) Are you an individual who is looking to sell a property in California? There …
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For All Sellers