If you’re a current notary—or thinking about becoming one—there’s an important legislative update you should be aware of. A new bill, California Assembly Bill 1597 (AB 1597), is moving through the California legislature and could soon increase the maximum fees notaries are allowed to charge statewide. What AB 1597 Proposes This bill is designed to […]
Another outstanding article by Jonathan Lansner, an award-winning business columnist for the informative Southern California News Group. I read him in the Orange County Register. You can also read Jonathan in the LA Daily News (known to Boomers as the Green Sheet), Press-Enterprise, The Sun, Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Press- Telegram, Pasadena Star-News, […]
Recent tax updates are reinforcing something successful agents have always known: real estate isn’t just a job — it’s a business. Many professionals are surprised to learn that most real estate agents are classified as independent contractors. That means agents often qualify for business deductions that traditional employees cannot access. Recent tax changes have reinforced […]
John Reilly used to pontificate at the annual CAR and NAR Conventions. I never missed a session. He could take complex regulations and make them simple. His books are benchmarks for the industry, especially The Language of Real Estate (8th Edition). I got mine 35 years ago. His education is impeccable. Ossining NY High School, […]
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is the biggest international baseball tournament in the world. Think of it as the “World Cup of baseball”, where the best professional players represent their home countries instead of their MLB teams. First played in 2006, and held about every four years, it features many MLB stars playing for their […]
It’s probably of interest to boomers who want to reminisce about the past. These three little cubicles look so lonely. Years ago, they held pay phones, and when a speaker at a seminar announced break time, we raced to get one—like an Easter egg hunt in elementary school. You carried quarters in varied containers. Then, […]
It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true: Slow markets often create better real estate professionals. When the market is busy, people rush. When the market slows, people learn. This is when professionals have time to: Study contracts instead of memorizing scripts Understand disclosures instead of reacting to them Learn negotiation without constant pressure It’s also when […]
The housing market in California is showing signs of change. While home prices remain near record highs, growth is moderating, inventory remains constrained, and affordability continues to bite. Below are key take-aways and what they mean for professionals in the field. Key trends to watch: Home sales and new listings are still sluggish in many […]
The following is a recent article from Forbes Advisor about median home prices across the United States. Surprising to me how expensive Washington D.C. according to the list. Also unusual is the fact that condos are more expensive than homes in West Virginia and Iowa. Kiah Treece, the author, is from the East Coast. She […]
Jim Eszlinger of First California Lending is a most valued instructor for DGE. He has been teaching MLO CE courses since the beginning in 2010. Our students love him, and so does our staff. When he speaks, I listen. Jim recently sent me an alert about an important new congressional Bill, HR 2808. His email […]
