In Merrily We Roll Along, placing the orchestra above the stage brings the source of the music into full view. FinCEN’s Real Estate Reporting Rule, which recently was vacated by a Florida federal court, had a goal of moving hidden participants in real estate transactions into view when property is acquired through an entity or trust in a transfer not financed with using a traditional mortgage. The orchestra in Merrily voluntarily placed itself in full view, but FinCEN didn’t make reporting optional – it forced parties with legitimate reasons for establishing limited liability companies and trusts to report their ownership. Since the Florida decision likely will be appealed, parties that use entities to require real estate in transactions not financed by traditional mortgages should be aware that privacy is not guaranteed in the future.
Read MoreA 16-member team at Deutsche Oper Berlin isn't onstage, but they’re not entirely behind the scenes either. Concertgoers see them briefly, depend on them completely, and then usually stop thinking about them, as if they are invisible. Read our article to learn about the opera house's team and how it's similar to boilerplate provisions in contracts. People pay little attention to them -- until there's a problem.
Read MoreBringing an attorney onto a team during project development when more options exist not only minimizes risk but can result in a better final product.
Read MoreEffective December 1, 2025, FinCEN is expanding anti-money laundering reporting beyond a few “high-risk” markets to all entities purchasing residential real estate without financing from a bank or certain institutional mortgage lenders.
Read MoreEssential contract terms, such as price, describe the basic business deal. But "everything else" in the contract defines the parties' relationship and can prevent misunderstandings and later disputes.
Read MoreIt isn't sufficient for a purchaser to only obtain title insurance because the insurance policy excludes certain losses. Buyers should conduct their own due diligence to ensure they are aware of all liens on the property.
Read MoreFinCEN regulation of all-cash real estate transactions appears likely. Are you prepared?
Read MoreA sources and uses budget at the beginning of a transaction can help a buyer determine the amount of equity it needs at the closing table.
Read MoreTo understand the difference between appraisals, BOVs, and CMAs, real estate owners should understand the difference between the professionals that issue them.
Read MoreBefore the coronavirus pandemic, only a handful of states allowed remote online notarization. Now, most states allow remote notaries.
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