Fraud Scam With A Smartphone We would like to alert you to a new fraud scam involving an emerging technology that enables individuals to deposit checks via a “Smartphone.” Many banks and other online payment sites like PayPal are offering downloadable applications for Smartphones (like iPhones and Androids) that use the phone’s camera feature to…
SCAMS: If It Seems Too Good To Be True… In recent months (and more so in recent weeks) we’ve gotten calls from many real estate professionals asking us to review suspicious email inquiries from overseas purchasers. A sample of an inquiry is below: “I will like to offer $790,999 MLS#:__________ because I love the curb…
NEW FTC Mortgage Information Rule Affects Brokers And Agents The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently enacted the Mortgage Acts and Practices – Advertising Rule (“MAP”) which went into effect on August 19, 2011 and which applies to, among others, real estate brokers and agents that provide mortgage information to consumers, such as providing a purchaser…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin July 11, 2011 | Make Some Money and Make A Difference As Well “Bargain Sales” to Charity What is a “Bargain Sale”? A “Bargain Sale” is a sale of property to qualified charity (recognized by the IRS as a valid, Section 503(c) organization) at less than its…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin February 28, 2011 | FTC Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule Impacts Many Real Estate Professionals On January 31, 2011 the FTC’s Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule (the, “Rule”) took effect. The Rule is designed to protect financially distressed homeowners from mortgage relief scams that have…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin February 28, 2011 | FHA Waives 90 Day Anti-Flipping Rule Through December 31, 2011 HUD has announced that it has instituted a temporary moratorium on FHA’s 90 day anti-flipping rule. With certain exceptions (such as HUD-owned and bank-owned properties) FHA currently prohibits insuring a mortgage on a…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin February 11, 2011 | MD Real Estate Commission Provides Guidance To Agents Holding Open House On February 7 the Maryland Real Estate Commission issued a communication providing clarification and guidance on the proper role of the agent while holding an open house. Some of the more significant…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin February 15, 2011 | Is It Time To Repay The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit? The IRS has a reminder for homebuyers who took advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit for purchases which were completed in 2008—it’s time to start repaying the credit. Qualified taxpayers who…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin February 3, 2011 | A 25-Year Foreclosure? Recent news stories have focused on the problems and delays that have been encountered throughout the country by mortgage lenders and their attorneys in connection with the management and processing of an overwhelming number of foreclosures on residential properties. A…
Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel Legal Bulletin January 12, 2011 | Withholding Rate on Sales of MD Real Estate by Non-Resident Sellers Reduced as of January 1, 2011 The rate of withholding taxes to be withheld and paid to the Clerk on the sale of real estate by non-residents in MD has been lowered,…