Shasta Association of REALTORS®

Attorney Tim Ferris of the Leverenz and Ferris Law firm addressed the general membership meeting of the Shasta Association of Realtors on June 23 2010. Having recently returned from a review of several recent legal topics for the California Association of Realtors. He described several recent cases and their implications for our local REALTORS. Tim also elaborated on the many implications for homeowners doing a Short Sale, or as he put it, “the little shop of horrors.” Agents listing Short Sale properties probably found this information thought provoking. When is a loan truly “non recourse?” And years from now, when companies attempt to collect on those recourse debts, what liability will fall on the listing broker? Tim is an entertaining and enlightening speaker, turning somewhat dry legalities into wry observances on our litigious profession.
Refreshments were sponsored by Lisa Justason (800) 443 5599 of Buyers Protection Group Home Warranties. Lisa reminds you that they offer a Green upgrade to their home warranties, where any replacement of a clients hardware will be upgraded to a more environmentally friendly alternative.
For those unable to attend, we have made arrangements for you to listen to the presentation as a webcast at the player link below. It was another excellent and educational program from the Shasta Association of REALTORS. Skip Murphy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bookmark It

So what happens when two parties to a real estate transaction disagree? Well, hopefully, the issue can be worked out to everyone’s satisfaction. That’s often the most important job of a REALTOR. When it cannot, sometimes the matter is taken to Mediation and Arbitration. That’s where the affected interests sit across from one another and tell their side of the issue to an independent and neutral third party who either helps them work through the conflict, or who ultimately arbitrates a final decision.
Semi-retired Attorney Larry Moss has been that neutral third party in over 750 disputes. He brings a wealth of experience and his sharply honed legal mind to bear. What will keep you out of these disputes? What if you could listen to him for just an hour or so, and learn what it takes to have an advantage in a hearing? Well, thanks to the MLS, you can have that opportunity. Those who missed his important talk can listen to the webcast we have arranged to have for you here. Another excellent program from your Shasta MLS. Skip Murphy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bookmark It

On Wednesday February 24, the membership received a presentation from an attorney for our association, Tim Ferris. He outlined some recent case law decisions that had bearing on real estate transactions. In addition, he outlines some of the wholesale changes made to the new RPA form. “In summary, the large print giveth, the small print taketh away.” You’ll want to make sure you are using the new forms. There is some good information on prescriptive easements, appraisals, mortgage modification fraud and more. All well worth your listening time. We’ve made arrangements for the remarks to be available to you if you were not able to attend the original presentation, and so the webcast is at the bottom of this post. Another informative presentation from your MLS. Skip Murphy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bookmark It

On February 10 we were treated to a  presentation by Attorney Jody Burgess of the Maire and Beasley Law Firm. Jody always bring great insight to the legal workings that surround real estate transactions. Today, he brought 4 examples of contracts that were written in such a way as to leave open different interpretations. Jody emphasized the need for REALTORS to draft wholly integrated contracts with clear language and intent. He also brought to light the fact that in this electronic age, other communications, exchanged during a transaction, like e-mails to Escrow, can be called up and used to legal advantage in disputes. It’s always interesting and thought provoking to hear how a good legal mind approaches contracts, and how careless work can lead to costly results. It was a fascinating and enlightening session. We have recorded it here for you, and Jody was kind enough to provide us with his excellent visual presentation. You may need to open the presentation (Link below at Drafting Contracts) in a different window, or save the presentation to view while you listen to the audio webcast, but it will be well worth your time. Another excellent educational program from our MLS. Highly recommended material. Skip Murphy

Drafting Contracts – Jody Burgess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bookmark It

Esther Guerrero Auerbach asked me to pass this along. Did somebody say free food?

Our Featured guest for the October 21 General Membership meeting was Bob Angulo, Real Estate Fraud investigator for the Shasta County District Attorney’s office. When we last met him, he was just getting started.His postion is funded by a document fee on real estate documents. He reports that they have investigated 31 cases.

Bob Angulo. Photo from file.

You can listen to his remarks at the Shasta Association of Realtors Podcast page. This is Podcast #18 and was recorded on Oct 21 2009. For technical reasons we don’t hear the questions he was asked, but his answers reveal a lot about how he operates. Listen in and hear what’s been going on over at the DA’s office.  Skip Murphy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bookmark It