Real Estate

Real estate law is the name given to the branch of civil law that covers rights to possess, use, and enjoy land and the permanent manmade additions attached to it. This includes the capacity to hold interests in real property, permissible interests in real property, relations between owners, relations between owners and the community, landlord and tenant relations, the transfer of interests in real property, and real property financing, including deeds and mortgages. Real estate transactions, such as purchases, sales, and leases, are governed by a wide body of federal and state law, and the requirements established by state law often differ from state to state.

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Legal articles focusing on Real Estate Law
Pros and Cons of Seller Financing for the Seller
Seller financing is when a seller helps to finance a real estate transaction by taking back a second note or even financing the entire purchase if the seller owns the home free and clear. How the loan is to be repaid and other loan terms are usually negotiated between the buyer and seller.
Private Mortgage Insurance
If you put less than 20% down on a home mortgage, lenders often require you to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI protects the lender if you default on the loan. The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 established rules for automatic termination and borrower cancellation of PMI.
Walking Away from Property and Your Mortgage
As the number of foreclosures continues to increase, homeowners are taking increasingly drastic measures to rid themselves of their homes and to free themselves from having to make expensive mortgage payments. Learn about the consequences of walking away from your home and mortgage.
Refinancing "How-To's"
If you have decided to refinance your home mortgage, there are several steps you should take. You should check your credit report, shop around and compare costs, and then bargain with the lenders for the best deal. You should also use refinance calculators to determine the benefit of refinancing.
Comparing Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit are both forms of credit against the equity of the borrower's home. They are typically secured by a second mortgage. They both constitute liens on the property. There are advantages and disadvantages to both forms of credit.

confidential communication

a communication between parties to a confidential relation (as husband and wife, attorney and client, or doctor and patient) such that the recipient of the communication has a privilege exempting him or her from disclosing it as a witness

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