Your first tuesday real estate news

Week of August 24, 2015

Brokerage Reminder: Unlicensed assistants – supervision required

Brokers licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) may hire unlicensed assistants to perform administrative activities on their behalf and on behalf of their agents. However, all unlicensed personnel performing on the broker’s behalf need to do so with the broker’s permission and their activities continuously supervised. Find out what tasks can be delegated to an assistant, and how assistants benefit brokers. Read more

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-guaranteed mortgages, explained

Answers to your questions about VA-guaranteed mortgages for veterans.

What is the most important feature when selecting a continuing education course?

New continuing education requirement for brokers renewing their license

Read up on the new continuing education requirements for brokers.

Interest-only ARMs return with a promise of better lending practice

The return of interest-only ARMs may pose serious risks to homebuyers.

Occupancy misrepresentation – it’s a big deal

An analysis of the form used to confirm owner occupancy for mortgage originations.

Generation Y’s homeownership aspirations are overly optimistic

Gen Y's high homeownership expectations likely won't become a reality.

Homebuyers FAIL to shop lenders and lose big time

Uncertain homebuyers need extra help shopping for a mortgage.

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Redfin adjusts to demand for more personal service

The online approach is still not a replacement for traditional brokerages.

Termination of tenancy requirements for domestic violence victims

New regulations reduce rent liability for victims of domestic violence.

California law and the MFDRA extension: Who escapes taxable income?

Short sale tax relief proposals may benefit some California homeowners.

California delinquencies diminish, recovery underway

90+ day delinquencies continued their slow decrease in Q2 2015.

Is a foreclosure sale void when the substitute trustee is not formally named as trustee until after they deliver the NOD?

Get the ruling here.

Using the yield spread to forecast recessions and recoveries

The yield spread dropped in July 2015.

FARM: A sweet recipe

A template for sharing dessert recipes with clients.

May a buyer avoid penalties for delinquent property taxes they assume when the previous owner’s failure to pay was a result of the economic recession?

A California court of appeals weighs in.

FARM: Treat yourself

Share recipes for Halloween treats with this festive template.

The gold standard: not as reliable as you think