LawsonGroupMediation

In my 20 years of practicing law, I experienced 3 categories of attorneys who practice bankruptcy law: Those attorneys who will only file chapter 7 discharges. These attorneys do not really focus on the needs of the client, but believe that chapter 7 is the only way to go.
The next category consists of attorneys who Continue reading...

Attorney Keith Saks alerted me to the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act which was signed into law on May 20, 2009.
This law protects tenants from the foreclosure of federally-related mortgage loans, which is most of them. Under the law, a tenant with a lease may remain in the home for up to 90 days following Continue reading...

On May 1st, a new agreement went into effect, called the Home Valuation Code of Conduct, or HVCC, making changes to the way appraisals are obtained. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not be able to provide funding for loans that do not meet the new guidelines.
The agreement prohibits mortgage brokers or loan officers from Continue reading...

There are almost daily press releases concerning different lenders who are making it easier for borrowers to submit requests for a loan modification. The lenders do not want other entities, including lawyers and Realtors processing loan modifications.
It is true that if the modification only requires a reduced interest rate or term of the loan, the Continue reading...

From DS News, I found the following article:
Reston, Virginia-based MERSCORP, Inc. (MERS) unveiled a new program on Tuesday that informs borrowers of ownership changes regarding their mortgage. The company says its program supports new federal legislation, which is designed to help homeowners keep their homes by bringing greater transparency and accountability to the mortgage lending Continue reading...

From the San Francisco Chronicle & Scripps Howard News Service comes this news:
The federal government and some banks are trying to make it easier for stressed homeowners to sell their home for less than they owe, a transaction known as a short sale.
This month the Treasury Department said it is creating a streamlined, industry-wide process Continue reading...

Ds News reports the following:
“Freddie Mac announced on Friday that it is instituting several changes to its refinance offering under the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program. The McLean, Virginia-based GSE explained that the new relaxed guidelines will make the refinancing option available to a wider scope of borrowers looking for mortgage relief from the Continue reading...

I was asked by an agent if there was available an explanation for their seller and buyer clients to read that will help them understand the short sale process.
So…I wrote one.
It is available to any of you who want it. Just send me an email to info@LawsonGroupMediation.com and request
“Short Sale Process for clients”
and I Continue reading...

I blogged about the need to understand liability. Now I will present the disclosures that should be in your written disclosure that your clients should sign. In future blogs, I will present liability traps even with the disclosures, and finally to understand liability itself.
Let’s take it from the perspective of what clients will claim in Continue reading...

A lot of people think that just because they have E&O insurance, they are fully protected from liability. Not so!
First, there are many lawsuits across the country involving short sales and loan modifications. They are on the increase. If you are sued, it will cost your time, and time away from your business is Continue reading...