Tag: real estate
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Biggest Deed Slip-Ups (and How Not to Make Them)
Mistakes happen. When they happen to a deed, they can go unnoticed for a long time — sometimes leaving a clouded title through a chain of owners. But at some point, a deed mistake catches up to an owner, buyer, or heir. So, let’s take a look at 8 common homeowner deed mistakes, and how…
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Should Brokers Keep For-Sale Homes Hidden?
It’s the Real Estate Industry’s Latest Debate — Pocket Listings Our regular readers know about recent changes in real estate practices. The big changes came out of settlements by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and large brokerage firms in response to class-action court cases. NAR had to give up its long-running practice of having…
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Congrats on Closing! Now, How Will You Get Your Deed?
Closing is the last step before you have the keys to your new home in hand, and your deed is on its way. The all-important deed is a legal instrument (document) that shows the transfer of property ownership from the seller, over to you, the buyer. This document confirms your ownership status for the property…
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Transferring Property to Family: What to Know About Gift Deeds
A gift deed signifies a voluntarily title transfer from a “grantor” (the giver) to a “grantee” (recipient). Recipients are often loved ones or charities. A home’s transfer through a gift deed happens without consideration — meaning no money or thing of value is given in return. The deed states that the title is conveyed for…
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Fairer Play: Counties Will Adopt AI to Delete Racial Deed Restrictions
Ever read through your deed and find a stink bomb like this? “The said premises shall not be sold to, owned, used or occupied by any person or persons other than those of the Caucasian race.” That’s a deed restriction placed on hundreds of Haverford Township, Pennsylvania titles in the 1920s, found by investigators at…
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Transferring Your Deed Into Your LLC
Thinking about transferring the deed to your rental property into a limited liability company? Many investors do it. About 17% of investment properties across the country are held in LLCs. Here, we look at reasons to put real estate into an LLC, and how it’s done. And we’ll point to a few more things worth…
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How Do Zoning Variances Work?
A zoning variance is permission from local authorities for a property owner to do something against the standard rules. For example, maybe you want to install a backyard cottage on your property, but that’s not allowed by local regulations. Or maybe you want permission to create a rain garden, or put up a fence despite…
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As Asheville Recovers, Home Buyers Rethink the Whole “Climate Haven” Idea
Asheville, a quaint and popular North Carolina town, has long been known for its welcoming atmosphere and a mild, inviting climate. Indeed, a public radio station once showcased Asheville as winning the real estate stakes of an unsettled climate. It’s now well understood that tropical storms get supercharged by human-driven effects on the atmosphere’s temperatures.…
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Someone’s Got to Do It: Are You Holding the Deed to a Haunted House?
Maybe you’re looking at homes you might want to buy. Maybe you already hold a deed. In any case, your late October thoughts may turn to spirits, and ghosts, and all kinds of past matters that haunt homes. It happens to the best of us — even well-known politicians have to deal with such matters,…
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FAQ: When the Divorce Decree Conflicts With the Deed
Many couples own homes together. If they ever decide to separate, they need to know what to do with their co-ownership. They could simply sell the home to solve that issue. But after a legal separation or divorce, one of the two people may want or need to stay in the home. If the deed…
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Workforce Deed Restrictions: How Are They Monitored?
With housing costs up (and wages not so much), some cities need to give working people a hand. As financial barriers to homeownership continue to frustrate so many wage earners, workforce housing is one way to make deeds attainable. It’s for households earning too much to qualify for standard government subsidies, but who can’t pay…
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To Avoid Foreclosure, Which Should I Do: Deed in Lieu? Or Short Sale?
OK, it’s decision time. You’re dealing with financial challenges: a breakup, employment shakeups, or just too much debt against your property. You hold a deed, but can’t keep up with your housing costs. And you definitely want to avoid having a foreclosure on your credit history. What should you do now? A deed in lieu…
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What Resources Exist for Deed Holders Who Need Cash?
Ever heard the phrase house rich, cash poor? It can be frustrating to have a valuable home and empty pockets. You might be dealing with job changes, emergencies, new goals, hopes and dreams… And you need cash. Can you reach into your property value to get the cash now — without downsizing to a cheaper…
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How a Durable Power of Attorney Works for a Home Deed—And How to Create the POA in 8 Steps
Have you thought about estate planning and your home? One tool you should know about is the durable power of attorney. A durable POA can help a senior deed holder manage property and money, even when they’re losing the ability to do this personally. The document names your agent(s) and lays out their continuing authority…
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A Minnesota First: Twin Cities Suburb Requires Removal of Race-Based Deed Restrictions
Mounds View, Minnesota is making history with its new ordinance requiring home sellers to remove race-based deed restrictions before selling. Mounds View adopted its new ordinance on July 23, 2024. It’s official. Mounds View, a Minneapolis – St. Paul suburb, will now require the removal of racially restrictive covenants from deeds. Racial covenants (a.k.a. race-based…
