by Heather | Feb 20, 2014 | Legal, TSBOR
Learn about the new home office safe harbor and a higher per-mileage deduction that can help them lower their 2013 tax bill in two videos released this week. Also, learn about changes that impact higher-income households, including the new 39.6 percent tax bracket,...
by Heather | Feb 11, 2014 | C.A.R., Legal, NAR, TSBOR, TSMLS
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that as of January 30, 2014, it is granting expanded authority to lenders to accept electronic signatures (e-Signatures) on documents associated with mortgage loans. Origination, servicing, and loss mitigation...
by Heather | Nov 29, 2013 | C.A.R., Legal, TSBOR, TSMLS
CAR has been working with California Sen. Barbara Boxer to protect distressed homeowners from debt relief income tax associated with a short sale in California. As part of this effort, Sen. Boxer requested the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide guidance on...
by Heather | Nov 28, 2013 | Legal, TSBOR, TSMLS
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has recently started taking enforcement actions against illegal referral fees in violation of the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). This serves as a good reminder for real estate agents to understand...
by Heather | Oct 28, 2013 | C.A.R., Legal, TSBOR
As a REALTOR®, you’re more than familiar with the stack of documents that accompany each transaction. You’ll find the Natural Hazards Disclosure Statement (NHDS) among that stack, but you may be unaware of some of the crucial details pertaining to it. When do you need...
by Heather | Oct 8, 2013 | C.A.R., Legal, TSBOR, TSMLS
A listing agent of tenant-occupied property can hold an open house over the weekend during reasonable hours (as explained below), according to a recent California court decision. A landlord’s right to enter leased premises during “normal business hours,” as authorized...
