Real Estate Attorney Law Blog

Not that this is news to anyone, but rates are amazingly low and staying low!  People who can (equity and good credit) can get amazing rates.  But you still have to pay closing costs. I have written about this before, but it amazes me that people refinancing try to save a few dollars on their clo...

HUD announced today January 15, 2010 that it is temporarily relaxing its 90 day seasoning rule which currently prohibits FHA loans for properties owned by the seller for less than 90 days.  See the HUD press release for more details. According to the press release, "The policy change will permit ...

While the topic of this blog post is titled "Do I need an Attorney for my Connecticut Mortgage Refinance?"  the better question is not if you NEED an attorney for your mortgage refinance in Connecticut, but SHOULD an attorney do your mortgage refinance closing?  Of course as a CT attorney perform...

As I have written before, contract contingencies are very important elements of a real estate purchase agreement.  They are especially significant for the buyer, since a properly drafted and implemented contingency provision can provide significant legal protections for the buyer. One of the most...

Most foreclosures in Connecticut occur without there being an actual auction.  When there is no equity in the property,  the foreclosure is done by what is known as a strict foreclosure, and there is no auction and the Superior Court (all Connecticut foreclosures are judicial) determines when tit...

As I discussed in a prior blog post, fee based short sale negotiators or mortgage modification companies need a license to do business in Connecticut as of October 1, 2009.  In addition to a license, the new law also limits the fees that can be charged and requires a written agreement with the bo...

Had a nice leisurely Sunday today, and since Columbus day is holiday here in CT, we get another Sunday tomorrow! We did two enjoyable activities in town today.  First I had a nice nature walk with my two younger children (10 year old twins) on same land of the Hamden Land Conservation Trust (http...

With mortgage rates at new lows, people all across Connecticut are once again applying for and closing on refinance loans.  Even with the drop in real estate values and the changes in the types of mortgages that are available, many people can and are refinancing.  With rates this low, now is the ...

There has been much discussion about recent changes in FHA approvals for condos.  By way of background, when an FHA loan is made for a condo unit, the complex must be 'approved' by HUD before the FHA loan can be made.  In the past (or more accurately until November) this could be done by a forma...

The Connecticut legislature has recently passed legislation that was effective October 1, 2009 which will for the first time explicitly regulate people and companies that (for a fee) assist consumers in negotiating their mortgage debt, including fee assisting with short sale negotiations.  The le...