MarketOutlook (19)

Considering the financial markets volatility, the 2019 financial year has started off on an improved note led by the decrease in interest rates and the rebounding stock market. This paints an optimistic picture of what could be in store for the real estate market in 2019. Although pundits are once again talking about a softening of the real estate market, there are noteworthy signs that point to a positive year when it comes to real estate, both with transactions and appreciation. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate has dipped to 4. 51 percent, [...] more

Watch the video to understand the Real Estate closing process and the new technologies implemented to create a simplified and smooth closing process for all parties involved! Click here to read the full article! [...] more

EMAIL MANAGEMENT TIPS! Email is both a blessing and a curse. A real estate professional can build a busy practice through the magic of email, but the constant flow of emails can be overwhelming. From realtors and lenders to buyers, sellers and (especially! ) attorneys, emails are constantly flying back and forth, and they are all sent with the expectation of an immediate response. What is the best way to manage emails so that it serves our best interest? Here are few tips to help prevent your emails from becoming [...] more

We are pleased to work with our many vendors to deliver the most cutting edge services to our clients. Our real estate software allows us to deliver numerous enhanced services. Click here to watch our video! [...] more

Read Marc's latest piece as featured in Money Inc right here! [...] more

The Greater Boston real estate market is historically competitive right now, and many properties are selling for well above listing prices. In competitive markets, bidding wars are commonplace. How do you win them and, most importantly, how do you win without taking on an undue level of risk? The points below offer different ways to craft your offer, and what to consider before you commit beyond your means. Find a real estate agent that is communicative, punctual, and level-headed Your real estate agent should continually communicate with the listing agent, [...] more

Today, homebuyers can tour homes, see the neighborhood, and research the history of a property all from the comfort of their couch. Technology has streamlined the front end of the purchase process, but the actual closing remains largely stuck in the past. Click here to read the article [...] more

As everyone in the real estate field is aware, inventory is tight. As a result of the shortage, Sellers are nervous about listing because they may not be able to find a suitable home in a short period of time. The Use and Occupancy Agreement (U&O) is a great tool to give prospective home buyers comfort that they will have more time to find a new home. Here are the top five items to consider referencing in an Offer when proposing a “lease back” to allow a Seller to stay past the closing date: [...] more

A home purchase is the biggest expenditure in a consumer’s life. Peace of mind is on the line in a real estate transaction. A real estate attorney is, of course, another cost to add into the process of buying a home. But this trusted person can advocate for you, advise you, and alleviate your fears. More importantly, the attorney can take away some of your headache to allow you to enjoy the process of purchasing one of the most important investments of your life. But how exactly does one do this? An [...] more

One of our preferred vendors, Nate Baker, recently wrote in a Housing Wire article that closing attorneys “must explore taking the lead on implementing technology that drives the real estate industry forward. ” https://www. housingwire. com/blogs/1-rewired/post/42177-the-year-of-the-title-company At Canner Law, one of our goals has been to implement technology to improve the closing experience by connecting all parties in the transaction with secure document exchange, messaging, information requests, and real-time automated updates on closing milestones. Towards this end, all of our referral partners and their clients can now: Order closings [...] more

Canner Law & Associates, P. C. is pleased to announce the opening of our new Back Bay office space, located at 359-361 Newbury St. , 5th Floor, Boston, MA. We will better able to service our Boston clientele and provide a convenient closing location. If you are in the area, please stop by for a cup of coffee to check out the space and talk real estate! [...] more

Among the many battles raging in Washington, D. C. this spring is a fight shaping up over the future of the housing industry. At the heart of the battle is the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). http://www. consumerfinance. gov/ Created by the Dodd-Frank Act ( http://www. cftc. gov/LawRegulation/DoddFrankAct/index. htm ), the Bureau has broad authority over the US economy. It has emerged as a lightening [...] more

Here is a summary of property tax FAQ’s: I bought (or sold) the property several months ago, and the taxes are still in the name of the Seller. This is a frequent occurrence. Most municipalities update their tax rolls annually, usually for the first quarter of the following tax year (August 1^st ). Thus, the name of the Seller likely will remain on the tax rolls until then. The Seller is not required to make [...] more

When financing a purchase transaction, the mortgage contingency date is the single most important pre-closing event after the Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S) is signed. The mortgage contingency date typically occurrs three to four weeks afer the P&S execution. The lender needs to issue a "clean" mortgage commitment letter on or before the mortgage contingency date, or the buyer's attorney likely will seek an extension. What Is The Purpose Of A Mortgage Commitment? When financing a loan, a lender undertakes a lengthy review of the borrower and subject property prior to approving financing. [...] more

When buying a house or condominium in Massachusetts, a home inspector typically does not check the permits on a property. For a more thorough review, it is important for a buyer to verify with the city or town that there are no open permits. City or town halls will allow the buyer (or buyer’s agent) to review all permits on file. An examination of the property’s “jacket” will contain the record of all permits and detail work performed. Typical items that are contained in the building’s jacket [...] more

Thinking of selling your home? We offer a full complement of legal and closing services for sellers in real estate transactions. We will first assist you in the early stages of the Offer to Purchase and Purchase and Sale Agreement. We will work to resolve and clear problems that may be found in the title examination, and prepare the deed from you to your buyer. As the closing approaches, we will work hand in hand with you to coordinate and represent you during the closing, and we will be there with you to answer questions [...] more

When it comes to the purchase or sale of residential real estate, title problems, disputes about condition of the property and potential litigation are always a disconcerting possibility. Engaging a real estate closing attorney is not only essential to minimizing risk of future litigation for residential transactions, but is also required in Massachusetts! So, you might wonder, what does a closing attorney do? The Brass Tacks: The real estate closing attorney compiles the necessary documents so that the property can legally be transferred to a new owner free and clear. [...] more

January in the real estate industry is typically the time for the new year market outlook. For this coming year many of us have seen the template on the macro-economic data which most impacts the real estate industry: 8. 5% unemployment in the latest report, 30 year mortgage rates at record lows at or below 4. 0%, and 15 year mortgage rates at or below 3. 25%. Rather than run a standard metrics-based market forecast this year, I decided to survey a cross-section of Massachusetts real estate realtors and mortgage professionals to hear from them on the [...] more