Today I did what I routinely do on Thursdays around noon time – I visited the school where I mentor a student. I walked to the classroom and talked with his teacher who told me that this student was no longer enrolled in the school. Just like that, a relationship that I had developed overContinue reading “Today I was confronted with the Need For Affordable Housing in Grand Rapids.”
Category Archives: Real Estate
Real Estate Investors and Property Managers – 2020 Update on the “Bed Bug Bill”
****Updated January 21, 2020**** Today RPOA Michigan reported that Grand Rapids, Michigan 18th on the List of Top 50 Bed Bug Cities. This is not a good list to be on. Every year for the last few years, I’ve reported on legislation introduced to address the allocation of responsibility for bed bug and other infestationsContinue reading “Real Estate Investors and Property Managers – 2020 Update on the “Bed Bug Bill””
Real Estate Law Update: Real Estate Investors Be Careful When Interacting with Occupants of Foreclosed Property.
It is a rainy Monday afternoon. It has been dark all day long. I took this picture earlier today and the rain isn’t letting up. As a way to distract from the gloomy weather I thought it might be a good opportunity to share some of my thoughts about a court case that came out aContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Real Estate Investors Be Careful When Interacting with Occupants of Foreclosed Property.”
Real Estate Investors: In Your Efforts to Make a Profit Be Wary of Cutting Corners.
Let me illustrate a picture for you: Let’s say you are a real estate investor. You show up for a foreclosure sale. There are several people present to bid on a specific piece of property. One of those guys winks at you, motions you to come over (in a clandestine sort of way). The guyContinue reading “Real Estate Investors: In Your Efforts to Make a Profit Be Wary of Cutting Corners.”
Real Estate Law Update: Bill Moves Forward Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation
UPDATE ON PROPOSED House Bill 4463 – Would Allow LLCs to Evict wi thout Legal Representation. House Bill 4463 was introduced in March and referred to the committee on law and justice. The Bill would allow owners of a single-member LLC (or a married couple under certain conditions) to file their own eviction actionsContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Bill Moves Forward Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation”
Business Law Update: Another Call to Clear Contract Drafting.
It is Artprize again in downtown Grand Rapids! See one of the exhibits on Monroe Avenue in front of the Venue. Question: Did you know: “Shall” has a different meaning then “May”? One is mandatory. The other is permissive. In business, it pays to be clear in the contract language you use. Check outContinue reading “Business Law Update: Another Call to Clear Contract Drafting.”
Real Estate Investors & Property Managers Should Avoid These Pitfalls: DOJ and Landlord Settle Allegations of Family Discrimination.
I’ve said it before, owning and managing real estate is challenging. Particularly residential real estate. I hear it from my Property Owner and Property 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 Wednesday, September 6 DepartmentContinue reading “Real Estate Investors & Property Managers Should Avoid These Pitfalls: DOJ and Landlord Settle Allegations of Family Discrimination.”
Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this Bill to Make Veterans a Protected Class in Housing Discrimination.
On August 16, 2017 HB 4872 was introduced into the Michigan House of Representatives. The Bill amend the “Elliott-Larsen civil rights act,” and would provide that veterans are included in the list of those protected by Michigan law against housing discrimination. The Bill would define Military Service as: “STATUS OF BEING AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERContinue reading “Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this Bill to Make Veterans a Protected Class in Housing Discrimination.”
Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.
Yesterday I read a story about a Detroiter, Raphael Wright who plans on opening a “mission-driven supermarket” in downtown Detroit. Check out the article on NextCity. Raphael’s idea is sparked by a much needed grocery option in Detroit- particularly for low-income residents. I love this idea. A few years back I took my family toContinue reading “Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.”
Cautionary Tale for Real Estate Investors: Yesterday California Investor Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging at Foreclosure Sales.
There are many pitfalls for real estate investors who purchase distressed property. In today’s market, good deals for real estate investors are getting harder to come by. With distressed property becoming a scarce resource and competition ever increasing, some real estate investors have resorted to less than legal acts to boost their profit. Investors should know thatContinue reading “Cautionary Tale for Real Estate Investors: Yesterday California Investor Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging at Foreclosure Sales.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 