In 1989, Title XI of the federal Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act was adopted by Congress mandating states to license and certify real estate appraisers who appraise property for federally related transactions. The federal law was enacted as a result of the savings and loan crisis. In response…
Real Estate
-
-
When in the market for a new home or property, prospective buyers typically work with a real estate salesperson to review listings and eventually, place an offer on the property they would like to purchase. Once an offer is accepted, there are multiple steps that take place before the buyer…
-
ArchitectureEngineers-Surveyors-GeologistsReal Estate
Architects and Engineers Are Faced With a New Era of Building Design
by Cheri Gyuroby Cheri GyuroAs many cities across California slowly reopen for business, the thought of a COVID-19 resurgence lingers. The buildings we are all returning to were not designed with social distancing in mind. Architects and engineers have a new challenge on their hands with a strong focus on infection control. Not only…
-
Financial disaster spurs professional regulation It was the go-go 1980s and the economy was as high as the moussed hair, the mall parking garages, and the Hugo Boss shoulder pads. Americans were feeling confident—in a spending mood—and businesses across the board were doing all they could to encourage it. Those…
-
Writing a love letter can give you an edge in the multi-offer real estate universe No matter what time of year it is, the housing market in California is hot—especially in the Bay Area, where prospective buyers submit offers that are tens of thousands of dollars over the asking price…
-
The Building Homes and Jobs Act, also known as Senate Bill 2 (Atkins) became effective on Jan. 1 and will impact consumers who refinance their homes. Although the Department of Consumer Affairs’ California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) monitored the bill prior to it becoming law, the program falls under the…
-
The high cost of homes in parts of California has many consumers asking if now is a better time to buy or rent. The short answer is, “It depends.” One thing it depends on is your reasons for wanting to buy a home. Home ownership, besides being a financial investment,…
-
Whether you’re a big or small asset landlord, chances are you’ve considered hiring a property manager. While property managers can be tremendously helpful and ease your workload, they can also be a detriment if they aren’t chosen wisely. The California Department of Consumer Affair’s Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) has…
-
Getting rid of a timeshare isn’t easy, and, unfortunately, some cons are taking advantage of that predicament. Timeshare scams have been operating for some time; the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) began warning consumers about this type of fraud back in 2012 and updated their warning in 2013. Although…
-
You’ve experienced the excitement of purchasing a new house or renting a new apartment; now comes the reality of the actual move. Carting all of your stuff from one place to another is where the real work—and the real stress—begins, but a little before-the-move planning and organizing can help make the…