California has a higher homestead exemption, thanks to a bill signed last year by the Governor. It affords more financial protection for homeowners against unsecured creditors. Given the high cost of California homes and the continuing rise in real estate values, the increase is long overdue. What is a Homestead...
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Sheriffs Evict Tenants But Try Not to Make Them Homeless Homelessness has always been a problem, but it means a heavier burden while COVID-19 fills hospitals. Recent surveys estimate about a third of tenants aren’t sure they’ll be able to pay next month’s rent. Homeless shelters could be the scenes...
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Not telling a buyer about material facts about real estate could be the basis of a lawsuit against the seller and or the seller’s agent. Most sellers and agents are smart enough to know covering up defects is risky given the property will probably be inspected, or the owner will...
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You purchased what you thought would be your home, sweet home. But it turned out not to be so sweet. You can’t enjoy your property because of what your neighbor is doing. You may be in the opposite situation. You’re using your property reasonably, following the applicable ordinances, but your...
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Owning property with another party can be like a marriage. It may be long-lasting, and despite some ups and downs, a beautiful thing. But not all marriages last, and when they break up, it can be angry, amicable, or somewhere in between. We represent property owners involved in disputes and...
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If you’re a residential landlord, not only may you be dealing with tenants not paying their rent, but evolving local, state, and federal rules on what you can and cannot do in response as well. There are many moving pieces in this machine. To avoid getting caught up in it,...
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Due to the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 virus, tenants may be unwilling or unable to pay rent. Though we were doing well earlier this year, in the second quarter the economy declined by nearly a third, the worst on record. Whether you’re a tenant or property owner, if...
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If you have an interest in a piece of real property, there may be others who have an interest too. A quiet title action is a lawsuit seeking to have a judge rule that you, under the law, have the rights that you claim. A quiet title action determines the...
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Property taxes are an unfortunate, but necessary, evil which all property owners in California must contend with as they are used to fund many things which the citizens of California benefit from including public schools. California property owners understandably want to keep their property taxes as low as possible. However,...
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All too frequently, property owners and those dealing with interests in real property do so without properly documenting important aspects of the transaction. In some instances, they use no documentation at all! This is very common when dealing with spouses, family members or other close and trusted individuals. The prevailing...
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