Real Estate Law

Artificial intelligence, data centers, carbon removal and zero-emission power may sound like a winning line (plus the Free Space) on a 2024 Buzzword Bingo card. But the concepts have come into […]

Many property adjusters and policyholders often think of business income and interruption claims as being solely an accounting function. This is not true because there must be a determination of the […]

One item that every policyholder and public adjuster should know is the late date when a lawsuit must be filed, or rights to recovery are lost. This statute of limitations date is extremely important […]

The answer to the question in the title is answered in the attached complaint. 1 Zurich paid a claim and listed the named insured on the check. The loss payee was not listed on the payment check. The […]

In doubles tennis, business, and life, choosing the best partner is a key lesson because it usually predicts future success. Brenda Welch made a tragic choice. Brenda Welch and David Morgan married […]

Insurance companies that wrongly deny or underpay property insurance claims are finding a golden financial opportunity that provides an incentive for them to wrongfully underpay and deny […]

In our latest roundup, environmental regulations tighten for commercial properties, Wells Fargo sells most of its commercial mortgage services business, first-time home buyers struggle with housing […]

The duties of an insurance agent to the policyholder will differ depending on state law. Yesterday’s post about a Michigan coverage case, Order and Bind Insurance Before the Loss—Commercial […]

Pillsbury partner Adam Weaver recently sat down with Bandak Project Management CEO Nik Bandak to discuss interest rates and financing trends, human capital and presence equity, AI and more.

I can only imagine that the owner of Opera Block Properties was a student of weather when ordering drain backup coverage—the day before drains backed up. This post highlights an agent’s binding […]

Labor Day is the traditional end of summer. I often try to write a special blog for our various holidays. A favorite is Labor Day on the Jersey Shore and the Ocean Sand Exclusion. Given the history […]

Trade credit insurance is a risk management tool that protects businesses against losses from unpaid invoices or accounts receivable. It covers a company’s trade receivables in case a customer […]

The appointment of umpires by judges is something that I have been following. When I teach appraisal classes or debate appraisal issues with Steve Badger, I often state that the selection of an […]

Employer’s liability insurance protects businesses from lawsuits filed by employees who have suffered a work-related injury or illness. It’s distinct from workers’ compensation insurance; […]

An article by Sean Scott published this March in Restoration & Remediation Magazine, Cyanide Residues in Fire Damaged Buildings, made the following observation, which all property insurance […]

In 2023, the world added an impressive 45 gigawatts/97 gigawatt-hours of energy storage capacity, nearly tripling year-on-year growth, with the majority driven by battery storage installations. The […]

In our latest roundup, UBS to liquidate $2 billion real estate fund, hotel workers in San Francisco vote to strike, housing market to change after blockbuster settlement, and more! When it comes to […]

In our latest roundup, nonresidential spending drops, realtor payment structure changes, office vacancy rates soar, and more! A decline in mortgage rates and a drop in housing prices are giving […]

Tenants Given Presumptive Right to Seal Certain Eviction Records; Strict Rules Imposed On Credit Reporting Agencies; Landlords May Lose Invaluable Tenant Screening Tool After years of lobbying, […]

In our latest roundup, cybersecurity attacks target contractors, U.S. banks report weaker profits, additional commercial real estate is distressed, and more! Spending dropped in almost half of […]

In our latest roundup, mortgage rates drop to lowest levels since March, hotel construction activity highest since February 2023, Biden administration calls for legislation regarding property owners, […]

The term “smart cities” has become popular parlance for municipalities’ attempts to enhance delivery of urban services and infrastructure through information and communications technology. […]

In our latest roundup, construction backlog to see positives signs, regional banks to be conservative on buybacks, U.S. metro areas to permit few new housing units, and more! Venture capital […]

Hundreds of Massachusetts Homeowner’s Association (HOA) Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCR’s) May Be Void and Unenforceable After a homeowner balked about paying a late fee, I was […]

In California, a Partition action is used to resolve disputes between property owners, and results in sale of the property or physical division. The most common result is a judicial sale of the […]

A Massachusetts Real Estate Litigator Talks About Lis Pendens Basics, Strategy, and Pro Tips. Recently, I gave a well attended webinar for the Real Estate Bar Association on a subject that is near […]

An all-inclusive deed of trust (“AITD”) is used when the seller will be financing part of the selling price, and the buyer will also take subject to the existing deed of trust. The seller remains […]

Non-payment Evictions Put On Hold Until Tenant RAFT Applications Are Denied/Approved Ignoring strong opposition from property owners, the Legislature and Gov. Healey have re-enacted a Covid-19 era […]

If you are a homebuyer seeking a mortgage and the house you contract for appraises for less than the actual contract price, you need to fully evaluate whether to waive the so-called appraisal gap. […]

As Hurricane Idalia heads for Florida’s Gulf Coast, some property owners, developers, construction industry professionals, and other building permit- and authorization-holders may be eligible for […]

We are in a percolating real estate cycle which is clearly symbiotic with the economy. For some, the economy is going quite well. For example, those who have 401(k)s are generally impressed with how […]

Are you a seller willing to provide a mortgage to a prospective home purchaser? Or, are you a residential home purchaser able to purchase a home for full price or even a higher offer and seek […]

Why Is the Housing Market So Sluggish? There is a critical shortage of homes causing a weak housing market. Sales of pre-owned homes dropped 3.3% in June from May, and 18.9% lower than from June of […]

Section 252.363(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2023), as amended by Section 4, Chapter 2023-304, Laws of Florida (SB 250, which applies retroactively to September 28, 2022 and which was signed into law […]

As of July 1, 2023, Florida’s recently enacted legislation, SB264, restricts certain foreigners from buying or owning  Florida real estate. Specifically, the new law, codified in Florida Statutes […]

On May 8, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 264, creating Part III of Chapter 692 (692.201-692.205) of the Florida Statutes “Conveyances to Foreign Entities”. This new law […]

Many homeowners may have taken second mortgages, including home equity lines of credit, on their homes years ago, and thought that the underlying mortgage debt for such loans was forgiven. Other […]

This article explains the importance of Florida quitclaim deeds, often used to transfer ownership interest in a property.

Cash offers on homes have increased substantially over the last few years. In 2022, according to Redfin, 30% of all home sales were paid with all cash with 64% of all $1 million plus sales in Palm […]

The Live Local Act is Florida’s response to the housing crisis affordable legislation, designed to provide developers with substantial tax breaks and hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. On […]

New Rules Aimed At Reducing Pandemic Era Case Backlogs and Delays Are the old days of packed Thursday morning summary process sessions coming back? They just may be. With the expiration of a pandemic […]

As the global economic landscape continues to devolve, it is crucial to draw upon the lessons learned from previous financial crises, much like Marty McFly’s thrilling time travel experiences in […]

While there still are residential home buyers waiting to buy until mortgage rates lower and with home appreciation prices slowing, there are nevertheless opportunities for homebuyers in the new […]

Wu Administration Misled Public On Details Of Plan: Corrupt Local Rent Control Boards Can Override Rent Increases, Lifetime Leases Allowed, Small Housing Providers Unfairly Targeted The Boston City […]

In my 25 years of law practice, I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff, but this recent eviction case may top my list of “Professional Tenants.” With 14+ evictions, a slew of larceny charges on their […]

The Doctrine of Merger in California real property law provides that when a greater and lesser estate are vested in the same person, the lesser estate may merge into the greater estate and the lesser […]