Ralph's Weekly Legal What-If Scenarios: Encroachment - "Don't Fence Me In!" Each Monday, I'm going to post a "What If" Scenario that presents a legal issue in a real estate hypothetical situation. Each Sunday, either the correct legal answer (or most likely legal resolution) to the situation will be posted. These are great opportunities to keep your real estate legal chops honed and tuned as a real estate professional.  And I'm sure there will be some interesting discussions going on related to these hypothetical situations.  Some of you may also have had identical situations in the past that will bring some interesting light to the answers. Here is this week's scenario: A buyer, Bob, purchases a property in 2008.  Later that same year he decides to put up a fence.  Unknown to Bob at th... 01/09/2012

List of New California Laws 2012 Child Booster Seat LawThe new California Booster Seat Law outlaws parents, guardians, or drivers from transporting on a highway in a motor vehicle any child under 8 years old without securing that child in an appropriate child restraint meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards. The new California law does contain a provision, however, that a child under 8 years of age who is 4'9" inches in height or taller may use a safety belt rather than a child safety seat or booster seat. Employment Credit Check LawEmployers can no longer request credit reports for Californians unless they are working or seeking work in a financial institution, law enforcement or the state Justice Department. The law also exempts anyone who:(1) has access to people's bank or c... 01/06/2012

2012 Mortgage rate forecast...   FIND OUT THE VALUE OF ANY HOME FOR FREE HERE!!: www.LosAngelesHomeValuesFree.com   Originally posted in Wall Street Journal Online 12.14.11 by Drew Fitzgerald: Mortgage rates are expected to remain very low at least through mid-2012, while housing activity improves slightly, according to Freddie Mac’s economic and housing outlook released Wednesday. The outlook also projects fewer single-family home-loan originations but more multifamily lending in 2012. The rental market is likely to lead growth in the lending industry, though parts of the country will also benefit from increased activity in the single-family home market. 2012 mortgage rate forcast is effected by high unemployment and a glut of foreclosed properties have depressed the housing market in... 12/28/2011

Has California Turned the corner to recovery? California may finally have turned the corner into recovery, with the job market slated for slow but steady growth over the next two years, according to a report released today by UCLA's Anderson Forecast. "Have we turned the corner in the Golden State? Perhaps we have," wrote UCLA senior economist Jerry Nickelsburg. "The last two months have yielded both job growth in excess of the U.S. rate and job growth which is widespread throughout the state." It was the second time in two days that a Southern California think tank has predicted increased job growth in the state. On Tuesday, Chapman University in Orange issued a similar report, predicting slightly higher growth than UCLA. (To see the Union-Tribune's article on the Chapman report, click... 12/16/2011

4 BEDROOMS / 3 BATHS / 2773 SQ FT / 12240 SQ FT LOT SHERMAN OAKS NEAR BEL AIR BANK OWNED PROPERTY NEW ON THE MARFKET LIST PRICE $874,900 As with all distressed properties, short sales and bank owned foreclosures, the listing are very volatile and change on a daily basis. If you are interested please contact me a.s.a.p. at 310.505.5571   This traditional updated home is located in the Prime Royal Woods area of Sherman Oaks. The property was built in 1959 and extensively remodeled in 1973. Features include a granite kitchen, breakfast room with beautiful peek a boo city/mountain view, large family/living room with wet bar and sliding glass doors to backyard area, large formal dining room with recessed ceiling and three generous sized bedrooms downstairs (one with private bath and outdoor ... 12/10/2011

  To get a free list of best buys of upscale and luxury homes currently in Sherman Oaks, CA, and surrounding cities, click on the links below.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com To view other homes click on links below: Woodland Hills Homes, Woodland Hills Real Estate, West Hills Real Estate,  Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate Bargain Luxury Homes in Sherman Oaks, CA CLICK HERESearch MLS - All Homes CLICK HEREWhat’s My Home Worth Today  CLICK HEREGet $1000 at Close of Escrow with Bogun Realty & Luxury Hom... 11/30/2011

I invite potential home buyers to click on the links below and find you the best home deals in Sherman Oaks, California, and surrounding cities.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com To view other homes click on links below: Woodland Hills Homes, Woodland Hills Real Estate, West Hills Real Estate,  Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate Find a Great Home Deal in Sherman Oaks, CA CLICK HERESearch MLS - All Homes CLICK HEREWhat’s My Home Worth Today  CLICK HEREGet $1000 at Close of Escrow with Bogun Realty & Luxury... 11/30/2011

    I invite bargain home hunters seeking bank-owned or foreclosure homes in Sherman Oaks, California, and surrounding cities, to click on the links below and find you the best home deals in Studio City, California, and surrounding cities.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com   Contact us for all properties in Southern California, including but not limited to Woodland Hills Real Estate, Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate. Foreclosures + Bank-Owned Homes in Sherman Oaks CLICK HERESearch MLS - All Homes CLICK ... 11/30/2011

To get a free list of fantastic short sale homes in Sherman Oaks, California, and surrounding cities, click on the links below and find you the best home deals in Sherman Oaks, California.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com Contact us for all properties in Southern California, including but not limited to Woodland Hills Real Estate, Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate.   Short Sale Homes in Sherman Oaks CLICK HERESearch MLS - All Homes CLICK HEREWhat’s My Home Worth Today  CLICK HEREGet $1000 at Close of Es... 11/30/2011

 Fixer uppers and handyman specials often represent a good way to get a great deal on a home. As long as you are aware that these homes need work, are prepared to create a realistic budget ahead of time, and remember to leave yourself some financial "wiggle room", you can have an ideal home for much less than what comparable homes, already in top condition are selling for.  If you are the type of person who recognizes a "diamond in the rough" you'll know a great deal when you see one, and will be interested in getting a free List of Fixer-Upper Homes in Sherman Oaks, California.   To get a free list of Fixer-Upper Homes in Sherman Oaks, California, and surrounding cities, click on the links below.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825... 11/30/2011

The Recyclable House - Green Deconstruction vs. Demolition As I was completeing the educational requirements for my NAR GREEN Designation, I learned of a new and uncommon practice that is beginging to gain recognition accross the country among "GREEN" the construction industry.    Check out this awesome article I found about Ken Ortiz, the only certified deconstructionist in the midwest. What he's doing is amazing! This article is full of great links to other GREEN resources as well. http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-recyclable-house/Content?oid=1109143   The Recyclable House - Green Deconstruction vs. Demolition 11/27/2011

NEW BENNET & ISAKSON BILL SCARY FOR THE HOUSING MARKET!   New Bennet & Isakson bill scary for the housing market! There is a new BILL that could hinder the housing market. Senators Bennet & Isakson want to ADD UTILITIES INTO THE DEBT RATIO WHEN QUALIFYING A HOME BUYER. They want to LOWER the Qualified Potential of every Buyer!!  Qualifying ratios are set where they are because people have other expenses. These costs are already considered in the ratios. This doesn’t help the housing market.   Write them and let them know this is a bad idea. It is called the S.A.V.E Act. = Sensible Accounting to Value Energy.   Contact Senator Bennet: http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/ Contact Senator Isakson: http://isakson..senate.gov/contact.cfm New Bennet & Isakson bill scary for the housing Market! ... 11/15/2011

Mortgage Lender's Top Red Flags. In an effort to issue quality loans that will actually become a performing asset to banks, lenders have stepped up their fraud prevention and are heavily scrutinizing mortgage applications.  The research firm CoreLogic estimates that fraudulent residential mortgage originations will total $7.4 billion in 2011, nearly 40% lower than the $12 billion in 2012! Investigations typically begin the moment an application is received. The lenders verify your Social Security number and often check to see if a borrower's name shows up on the government terrorist list! They will check credit reports and verify employment and then do it again days before closing the deal so be careful what you do while in escrow on a home purchase for which you need a loan!  Mortgage ... 11/15/2011

I'm a psychological counselor and a matchmaker that just so happens to hold a real estate license....... I was thinking about this the other day, and it seems to me that I spend at least 75% of my time these days being a matchmaker and psychological counselor rather than just a Realtor. I mean, the key to working with buyers, anyway, is finding the right home that basically turns them on and gives them warm fuzzies.  Listening to what is on their wish list, being attentive to their life styles, and becoming familiar enough with their finances and personal style so that you know what properties to put in front of them is a skill that only comes with being a seasoned agent.  That is the first biggest accomplishment towards a successful transaction.  Being a highly intuitive MatchMaker is ... 11/14/2011

Bank of America Cooperative Short Sale vs.  SB458 - Which trumps which? For those of you that are familiar with Bank of America's "Cooperative" Short sale, it basically has very similar features as a HAFA short sale except for one important thing:  It does not allow the seller to remove Bank of America's right to pursue the deficiency after the short sale closes. In most cases, I've found that the Cooperative short sale is not in my clients best interest.  Not only for the important factor I mentioned above, but also due to a timeline where if the transaction is not closed within 120 days, then BofA, as the servicer of the loan, will mandate a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. But my question is, even though BofA creates this short sale with this important disclosure of their right to pursue... 11/13/2011

Consumer confidence down, retail sales up!?  Apparently Consumer confidence is way down according to recent reports, however retail sales are up! Hmmm....Doesn't add up right? Where is the money for these shopping sprees coming from? Maybe its actually coming from looming foreclosures.  Some Americans have figured out that they can stay in default int their homes that they're upside down on for an extremely long time NOT paying their mortgage and in some cases even get paid by the bank after a foreclosure to move out in a "cash for keys" agreement. I guess not paying mortgage in some cases up to 3 years can free up a bunch of money to go shopping! Sounds so backwards, but its happening. While the majority of Americans work hard to stay good on their mortgage commitments, and some have l... 10/21/2011

I just helped to micro-finance a loan to a group in Rwanda to help produce food - Pay It Forward Ancille is 51 years old and is a widow. She has six children between the ages of 4 and 16 years. Ancille is the president of a group called “Umucyo.” She is the first person on the left side of the photo. Ancille sells bananas, and has been working for two years. Ancille and her group have requested a loan from Kiva lenders in order to purchase more bananas. With the profits from this loan, Ancille and her team would like to satisfy the basic needs of their families, and start saving for their children. http://kiva.org/invitedby/ralph6433 Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos For Sale Los Angeles Townhomes For Sale   10/20/2011

End the deficit!  Please consider...Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election".The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months, 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple!The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. End the deficit! Congressional Reform Act of 2011:1. No Tenure / No Pension.A Congressman/woman collects... 10/17/2011

There's a very calculating, perpetrator lurking in your home........... They could possibly be a very sinister culprit there as we speak. Beware of Bed Crocodiles! With their very stealth-like ability to hide beneath the covers, they can strike at any moment. And before you know it, you're the merciless victim of an unrelentless wrath of ........................ doggie slobber! Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos For Sale Los Angeles Townhomes For Sale 10/17/2011

I just made a $25 donation to help an African village through SaveAfricaNow.org - Pay It Forward I met this organization at the Green Expo in Los Angeles a while back. We made a donation to SaveAfricaNow a while back, and I decided to do it again as they are half way through getting financing in place for a particular village. Just thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention. There are so many desperate people around the globe who are victims of dictatorships, warfare, and so many other socioeconomic injustices that they can really use our help. All the best,   Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos For Sale Los Angeles Townhomes For Sale 10/16/2011