A 1031 tax-free exchange, also known as a “like-kind exchange,” is a powerful tool for real estate investors who want to defer capital gains taxes when selling and purchasing investment properties. This tax provision, governed by Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), allows property owners to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of […]
real estate
Filing a Declaration of Homestead in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, homeowners are offered a significant protective measure against certain types of creditors through the filing of a Declaration of Homestead. Massachusetts real estate law recognizes this declaration as a way to safeguard the equity in your primary residence. Benefits of a Homestead The Declaration of Homestead in Massachusetts protects up to $500,000 of […]
What’s in a Title? What Massachusetts Homebuyers Need to Know About Deeds, Titles, and Searching for Both.
Know Before You Buy When buying a home, especially if this is your first time, you may feel overwhelmed by all the new terms entering your vocabulary, terms which seem interchangeable to you but may have very different legal meanings. This is perfectly normal. In this article, we will set out for you the difference […]
What sort of licensing do you need in Massachusetts before renting out a residential property? What basic regulations do rental properties need to follow?
Who? Me? A Landlord? Real estate can be the key to financial independence and success. While TV might have popularized the “flipper” model of real estate transaction, in which infusions of cash and elbow grease transform run-down properties into glossy sources of resale profit, the old-fashioned practice of landlording is still an attainable, affordable, and […]
Landlord Eviction Options During Covid-19
Landlords and Coronavirus Long before any Governor issued emergency orders for their state, coronavirus was already altering the fabric of our lives and commerce in unexpected ways. In the last month, millions of workers across the country, from hotel and restaurant workers to office assistants and managers, have been laid off, furloughed, or prohibited from […]
What does a lawyer do at a home sale closing?
Believe it or not, lawyers are not only here for the difficult times in life, such as a divorce or a death. The right lawyer can make the joyful moments in life even sweeter by reducing stress and providing peace of mind that everything is ‘just right.’ Closing on a home is one such happy […]
As a landlord, what am I allowed to do with a renter’s security deposit before they need it back? Am I able to reinvest it into my property?
In a word—no. Massachusetts law tends to favor tenants. This is understandable, as tenants have their home to lose, but it can lead to frustrating situations when a tenant is uncooperative, remiss in paying rent, or blatantly disrespectful to the property and its furnishings. The law in Massachusetts allows landlords to collect a security deposit […]