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Business Law Update: Why Your Operating Agreement Matters.

Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Let me paint you a picture: You decide to go into business. You’ve identified a business partner. You and your business partner decide the details of who is going to contribute what (capital, finances, “sweat equity”, etc..). Your startup is now off and running! Your business does not go as expected. You haveContinue reading “Business Law Update: Why Your Operating Agreement Matters.”

Recent Court Case Provides Good Lessons For Real Estate Investors.

Its Wednesday and I wanted to share a court of appeals case that came out on September 15th. Case: Key Bank v Lake Villa Oxford Assoc, et. al. Lesson: be careful when drafting “personal guarantees” I’ve written in the past about personal guarantees. This particular case involved a real estate development gone bad. Defendant, developer,Continue reading “Recent Court Case Provides Good Lessons For Real Estate Investors.”

Why Startup Fintech Company “Lemonade” is so Intriguing.

CrowdFundInsider just posted an article on a new Fintech Startup – Lemonade. You should check the article out here I’ll start by answering a basic question: (By the way – the photo is one I took last year from Central Park – my limited experience with New York.) What is Fintech? According to FinTech Weekly:Continue reading “Why Startup Fintech Company “Lemonade” is so Intriguing.”

Encountering the homeless in Downtown Grand Rapids and Mel Trotter’s Season of Hope.

Occasionally when I am walking in downtown Grand Rapids I will run into a guy with dirty clothes, smelling bad, looking homeless. When this guy asks me for money, my gut reaction is to want to help. Honestly though, oftentimes I have no idea what is the right response. I will invariably pray for them,Continue reading “Encountering the homeless in Downtown Grand Rapids and Mel Trotter’s Season of Hope.”

Grand Rapids’ Businesses: Lessons from a Recent West Michigan Court Case- Read Those Terms and Conditions.

Business owner – let’s say you just signed a purchase order and agreed to buy some product for your business. The product is not what you expected. In fact, its not going to help you in your business at all. You don’t pay for it. You get sued. You take the contract to your lawyerContinue reading “Grand Rapids’ Businesses: Lessons from a Recent West Michigan Court Case- Read Those Terms and Conditions.”

Michigan Construction Law Update

Real estate transactions can be complex. Real estate lawsuits can be complex. Sometimes a statute or case does not speak directly on point to the exact circumstances of a legal dispute. This latest case is a good reminder of those points. Today I read a construction law case issued on September 13. The caseContinue reading “Michigan Construction Law Update”

News for Residential Real Estate Investors: Michigan Landlord Settles with DOJ for Allegations of Fair Housing Violations.

Here’s a profound truth those in the real estate industry will readily acknowledge: Owning and Managing Real Estate is challenging. I hear it from my Property Owner/Manager clients. I experience it when I am involved in negotiating in landlord/tenant disputes. Some of the pitfalls property owners have to watch out for are illustrated in a recentFederalContinue reading “News for Residential Real Estate Investors: Michigan Landlord Settles with DOJ for Allegations of Fair Housing Violations.”

What’s going on in Grand Rapids Real Estate and Beyond.

Happy Friday! Some headlines to share – enjoy! I. What’s going on in Grand Rapids Real Estate News: In the wake of Propaganda Donuts Leaving Division public attention has been drawn to the tension between local businesses and the homeless population on Division Ave. I explored this topic in my blog post: Can business, local government, andContinue reading “What’s going on in Grand Rapids Real Estate and Beyond.”

Business Owners: Think Before you Sign. Recent Court Case Shows Why the Language in Your Contracts Matter.

Here’s to warmer weather! I’ve previously written about the importance of understanding the contracts you sign. I just read a recent Court of Appeals decision that provides a great illustration for business owners to give pause before signing a contract on the dotted line. Check out the case of Solis v Kroger and The Greener Side.Continue reading “Business Owners: Think Before you Sign. Recent Court Case Shows Why the Language in Your Contracts Matter.”