Some developers choose to offer a portion of the units for cash-only sale, while offering the others as apartments for rent. Cash only offers a benefit to developers, since many commercial mortgage companies won't lend for a building that is less than 51 percent sold....
Thomas Kinkade estate at center of probate dispute
The death of a loved one can be a difficult matter to handle. Emotions are riding high and level heads are few and far between. If the deceased is without a will to specifically advise survivors on how to distribute the estate's assets and survivors disagree on what...
Government sells hundreds of distressed homes
Government officials recently announced the sale of almost 700 distressed homes that it owns as a result of defaulting homeowners with government-backed mortgages. The problem of what to do with all of this real estate has apparently been creating some uncertainty in...
Renting versus owning
Deciding whether to rent or own a home is a big decision for Oakland County residents. Many families are still getting back on their feet after the tough recession, and choosing how and where to spend money and determining the best type of investments can be...
Planning for your online accounts and digital assets – Pt. 2
As discussed in last week's post we will continue this week on the importance of remembering digital assets in estate planning activities. Many in Michigan and elsewhere spend a good portion of their time online performing a variety of activities from gaming to...
Rising home prices signal overall economic improvement
The number of sales of previously occupied home has risen 7.8 percent between August and July this year. The increased activity in the housing market is at its highest level in over two years, at a seasonally adjusted rate of 750,000.The new numbers are significant...
Becoming a first-time landlord
As the housing market in Detroit continues to improve, many residents are considering an investment property or a second home. Others are considering renting out an existing second home or condo to cover mortgage payments while they wait to sell. In an situation,...
Planning for your online accounts and digital assets – Pt. 1
Welcome to the digital age where we now have to consider such mundane things as our Facebook login credentials in our estate plan if we want our loved ones to have access to it upon our passing. Many Michiganders often forget about digital assets when planning their...
Belle Isle park redevelopment plan revealed
City and state officials announced a plan this week to transfer management and fiscal responsibility for Detroit's Belle Isle park to the state government. The lease will run for 30 years and is a part of a larger plan to upgrade and beautiful the deteriorating...
Breathing new life into Michigan brownfield sites
A bill proposed by Michigan state legislator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) aims to breathe new life into the state's many "brownfield sites." According to the environmental protection agency's (EPA) website, a brownfield site is one that is not easily...