News Category: Real Estate
Is Your Homeowners Association Limiting Short-Term Rentals Within Your Planned Community – and if Not, Should They?
With the rise of planned communities in Seattle, it is becoming more and more common for properties to be organized and operated as a Homeowner Association (“HOA”). An HOA is typically form as a separate entity with the intention of making and enforcing the rules for the properties and residents within the planned community. The
Community or Separate Property? Beware of THE Mortgage Rule
What you don’t know about your mortgage could hurt you. In Washington State, we are not a “title state.” Accordingly, placing your spouse’s name on the title of a separate real estate does not automatically make it community property. However, beware; if your spouse signs off on the mortgage liability associated with your separate property
Breaking a Commercial Lease: Things to Consider Before Termination
The world is transforming in the post-covid era and business needs are evolving as consumer habits change. These changes can directly impact the space where you conduct business and have you contemplating what to do about one of your business’ largest expenses. Whether your company is growing and in need of a new space to
Valuing Real Estate in Divorce Cases
Washington State divorce laws provide that in every case the trial court must order a “just and equitable” distribution of the parties’ property and liabilities, whether community or separate. RCW 26.09.080. This includes real estate. Of course, before the court can decide how to divide and award property, it must first determine the value of
Transportation Efficiency and Climate Change: Washington State Continues March Towards All-Electric Vehicles by 2030
Washington’s legislative bill ESHB 1793 was codified as RCW 64.90.51, effective June 9, 2022, and governs electronic vehicle charging stations in common interest communities. RCW 64.90.51 in part prohibits condominium unit owners’ associations (“COAs”) from placing unreasonable restrictions on the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station at any newly-constructed condominium building in
You Purchased Real Property Together, and Now You Want Out. Partition is an Option.
It is not uncommon for family members, friends, or business partners to jointly own commercial or residential real property. With property values skyrocketing and Covid-19 allowing so many of us to work remotely, we saw a steep rise in the numbers of partners (romantic and platonic) who made the choice to jointly purchase real property,
Buying a New Home? What To Know Before Making An Offer
Buying a home remains one of the largest financial commitments and personal goals in an individual’s life. However, in the current market buyers are moving quickly, making large cash offers above-asking value and waiving contingencies in a rush to snap up a new home. Unfortunately, a decision to waive the inspection contingency can cause a
Revitalizing Downtowns Act and Other Efforts to Resuscitate Downtown Areas in the Post-COVID Era
The Revitalizing Downtowns Act was introduced in Congress this summer with the goal of converting unused or outdated office buildings into residential or mixed-use spaces. The goal of this legislation is to amend the tax code to create an incentive for developers and building owners in city centers to transition outdated buildings from empty office
Easements: Just for Now or Forever?
Easements are a right to enter and use land that may transfer with the ownership of the land. Easement issues usually arise when one property owner makes improvements on his or her property without first surveying the property to identify the boundary lines of the property. If the improvement goes over the property line into
Husband, Wife, Partner, Significant Other: Risks of Home Buying as an Unmarried Couple
The real estate market in Seattle is notoriously expensive and competitive and everyone seems to be looking for more space as we enter the second year of a pandemic. There is also a rise in nontraditional partners buying houses together. If you are considering buying a house with a partner to whom you are not