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Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this “Bed Bug Bill”

During the school year I mentor students at a local school in the West side of Grand Rapids. This school has a great supportive community behind it – as you can see from the photo I took a few years back. I recall a conversation with one student whose family was transient – moving quiteContinue reading “Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this “Bed Bug Bill””

Real Estate Investors: Update on Bill Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation

A common scenario in my legal practice: Investor purchases property in an LLC. Investor locates a tenant. Tenant falls behind in rent. Investor hires attorney to evict Tenant. Why hold real estate in an LLC? Most of my investor clients own investment real estate in a Limited Liability Company. This is for liability protection. OnceContinue reading “Real Estate Investors: Update on Bill Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation”

Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.

On June 14, 2017, House Bill 4755 was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. If passed it would limit the enforceability of a non-competition agreement signed between an employer and an employee. In my opinion – in some pretty significant ways. I have spent several articles discussing the legal consequences/enforceability issues of non-competes. It appearsContinue reading “Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.”

Warning for Real Estate Investors: Three Northern California Real Estate Investors Convicted of Rigging Bids at Public Foreclosure Auctions

There are many pitfalls for real estate investors who purchase distressed property. In today’s market, good deals are getting harder to come by. With distressed property becoming a scarce resource and competition ever increasing, some real estate investors have resorted to illegal acts to boost their profit. Investors should know that the Department of JusticeContinue reading “Warning for Real Estate Investors: Three Northern California Real Estate Investors Convicted of Rigging Bids at Public Foreclosure Auctions”

More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Today is a beautiful day in downtown Grand Rapids. The photo below actually from yesterday. There is something about the sun that just puts me in a good mood. A few days ago I did not have a sunny disposition. I was in court during a landlord/tenant docket. I’ll be honest – it was a depressing scene. ManyContinue reading “More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis”

Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.

Last year Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235) “to support the (SEC)’s recent adoption of rules…to facilitate small and start-up companies’ access to capital raised through crowdfunding.” The resolution supports crowdfunding as viable tools for start-up businesses. The resolution acknowledges: “Businesses in Michigan have greatly benefited from the opportunities created by the…Michigan Invests Locally ExemptionContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.”

Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression

There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. It has been almost 3 years since the Michigan Supreme Court issued its Opinion in the Madugula v Taub case on Michigan’s shareholder/member oppression statutes. The Madugula clarified that a claimantContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression”

News for Residential Real Estate Investors: DOJ receives Verdict against Landlord Disability Discrimination.

Here’s a profound truth those in the real estate industry will readily acknowledge: Owning and Managing Real Estate is uniquely challenging. I hear it from my Property Owner/Manager clients. I experience it when I am involved in negotiating in landlord/tenant disputes. I believe that is why, at least in West Michigan, there is an opportunity for goodContinue reading “News for Residential Real Estate Investors: DOJ receives Verdict against Landlord Disability Discrimination.”

Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.

Falling From Grace. Yesterday, I was at a CBMC Grand Rapids Luncheon and listed to Craig DeRoche tell his remarkable story of his rise to becoming the youngest House Speaker in Michigan history and abrupt fall to incarceration due to his hidden drug and alcohol addiction. Craig now uses his skills and unique life experiencesContinue reading “Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.”

Real Estate Law Update: Investors Purchasing at Foreclosure – Take Care in Handling Personal Property Left at the Property.

Today I am posting about a Court of Appeals case decided on April 25, 2017 – Suzor v Kamlay Foreclosed Property = high risk/high reward. Real estate investors are always wary of the many pitfalls when purchasing property at foreclosure. I’ve previously posted on problems when someone is still occupying the Property after foreclosure. The latest case talksContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Investors Purchasing at Foreclosure – Take Care in Handling Personal Property Left at the Property.”