As of July 1, 2025, California real estate is navigating key legislative changes impacting landlords, tenants, and property owners. Landlords will now be required to take photographs of rental units before a new tenancy begins, adding to existing requirements for move-out and post-repair photographic evidence. This strengthens the documentation process for deducting security deposits.
Another significant change impacts landlords of
Municipal Transfer Inspection Requirements: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
In the Chicago SMSA, many, if not most municipalities, impose certain requirements on the parties to a purchase and sale, as well as a condition to recording the deed.
Advice From The Ice #27: We Play to WIN the Game
When I officiate a hockey game, it pains me to see players or coaches not putting forth their best efforts. I wonder why they’re even out there. In a real estate transaction, it’s even more painful AND impactful if the parties don’t agree to move towards and complete the transaction. MORE;
Advice From the Ice #25: Know the Rules of Engagement
Watch the video here:
In every setting- business, sports, whatever- there are rules of engagement. Knowing those rules and applying guardrails in those situations can be the difference between success or failure. In a hockey game, I always ask the coaches at the beginning of the game about the history between the two teams. That allows us to gauge
Advice From the Ice™ #24: Make Friends, Not Enemies
There’s an old saying: it’s easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar. That’s true whether you’re talking about a real estate transaction or officiating a hockey game. I find a consensus-building approach works better than an adversarial one. Check out Episode 24 to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_ll8UAgY28&list=PLQ_8MjZrt-I3R-TFv-ax8H4_MqWzNbD2e&index=2
Due Diligence for Office Tenant Representatives: Safeguarding Your Office Tenant Clients’ Interests
In the challenging world of office properties, especially post COVID-19, office tenant representatives play a crucial role in ensuring that their office tenant clients secure the best and most appropriate leases for their needs. One of the most critical responsibilities for office tenant reps is conducting rigorous due diligence. This process involves a series of investigations and considerations of the
2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Refers Attorney Who Cited Nonexistent Case Provided by ChatGPT for Discipline Investigation
In its January 30, 2024, decision in Park v. Kim, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit responded to an attorney who submitted a reply brief in the appeal that cited a nonexistent case that, as it turns out, the attorney obtained through ChatGPT.
The Court informed Counsel it could not locate the case and requested she
ADU issues and updates
Since it has been several months since I last wrote in this blog about my own ADU project, it seemed that people might be curious to know where things stand. Also, reflecting general increased interest and activity in this type of housing stock, I have been seeing more ADU matters in my own law practice. Given these developments, I
Falling values may warrant property tax appeals, but deadlines are approaching
If you own commercial real estate in Santa Clara County, you recently received a mailing from the Assessor’s Office notifying you of the assessed value of your property. With your receipt of that notice, the clock is now ticking on your right under California law to challenge that value assessment. My goal here is to offer some guidance to investors
THE OVERZEALOUS CLIENT ATTORNEY AND ACHIEVING A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME
Sometimes we find that the other side’s attorneys in our various transactions seem to behave “over the top” in the representation of their respective clients. Nevertheless, IF handled correctly and rationally, the client’s attorney/broker team can, and should, achieve effective results on the client’s behalf.
In a recent office lease transaction, it appeared to your broker co-author that our tenant