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SEND IN THE DRONES

Don’t Worry They’re Here… Technology has a way of sweeping over the public before it is ready for regulation.  Witness Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter and Uber. The next areas where we can expect issues to arise pertain to the use of drones.  Amazon indicated last year...

Seasonal Real Estate Market Fluctuations May be Overstated

Many of us have been told that Spring is the best time to sell a house, perhaps because moving is easier in warm weather.  Others believe that summer is the most convenient time to make a location change because of the school calendar.  However, a study by Redfin that...

Certificates of Insurance

Written by Attorney Charlie Perkins Unfortunately there have been contractors in Massachusetts requiring subcontractors and other parties to alter insurance certificates in a way that misrepresents the actual coverage provided under the insurance policy. Governor...

Real Estate Closing Costs Explained

Closing Attorney Rick Dunn forwards this article describing closing costs and expenses that home buyers could expect at the time of closing.  Things like the abstract or title exam, flood hazard area determination and credit report fees can surprise some first time...

Low Mortgage Rates are Competing with Low Housing Inventory in 2015

This is according to HartfordBusiness.com, a publication of the Hartford Business Journal.  The upshot is that potential buyers are expected to enter the market in earnest as they attempt to prevent opportunity from passing them by.  Trends from the previous year show...

Condominium Terminology (CMigrator copy 1)

Just as there are alternate names for condominium-type ownership in other countries such as strata title in Canada and commonhold in the UK, there are community associations that are similar to but distinct from US-style residential condominiums. Home Owners...

Notes from CAI’s 36th Annual Community Association Law Seminar

At the end of January, 2015, Charlie Perkins, David Chenelle and I travelled to San Francisco for Community Association Institute’s 36th Annual Community Association Law Seminar. The Seminar is a multi-day exposition of national legal developments in the area of...

Fed Planning to Increase its Target Federal Funds Rate

Current mortgage interest rates remain near historic lows but the Federal Reserve is biding its time until implementing the planned increase.  Expected some time this year, the rate hike may bring 30-year mortgages up to around 5%, prompting economists...

HAM Radio Antenna Debate Expected in Congress

The Community Associations Institute has issued an Action Alert relative to Congressional easing of antenna installation requirements for HAM Radios and how they may affect condominiums and other community associations.  CAI views the unrestricted installation of...

Condominium Terminology

In the United States, most people have a pretty clear idea of what a condominium is but unit owners travelling outside the country who are interested in learning about condominium living will need some new vocabulary.  For instance, Australian and Canadian (Except for...

P&A Attorneys Aid Two Condominium Associations in Going Smoke-Free

Two condominium clients have recently banned smoking both in common areas as well as inside individual units.  The change is a timely one, given the appearance in the current issue of Condo Media of an article on the subject that takes a national scope in addressing...

Mortgage Rates Return to Historic Low Levels

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have fallen well below 4% as of Tuesday, January 6, 2015.  The decrease is said to be linked to falling oil prices and to declining treasury yields, a mixed blessing that may benefit...

LEGISLATIVE VOTE UPDATE

The end of the legislative session for the Year 2014 unfortunately did not provide the holiday gift most associations wished for, legislation that would have overturned the case of Drummer Boy Homes Association, Inc. v. Britton and reinstated rolling liens. This...

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