I just bought a selfie stick, made in China, for $18.00. I bought another one, also made in China, for $8.00. My Go-Pro camera case, made in China, $12.00. I think that parts of my new Go-Pro is made in China, as well as parts of my i-Phone. For sure my phone cover is, $15.00. … Read more
The California Escrow Association Knowledge Accreditation Program Why it should matter to all of us When I sat down to write about the California Escrow Association (CEA),(the article is accessed here) I dedicated only a small section to a very important role it plays for the escrow industry, that of its knowledge accreditation program – … Read more
Viva Escrow Q & A Segment (Real Questions Left On Our Website) The following question was left on our website not too long ago, and I’d like to share this with our readers because as always, financial planning of assets to defend yourself against any unforeseen events is very important. Q: My sister and I … Read more
I am scheduled to be President of the California Escrow Association (CEA) in 2019. It is an honor to have this opportunity to serve and I like to think that the members chose me because I will bring something substantive to the organization. As I approach the beginning of my term I have to look … Read more
IT’S JUNE AND I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES AND YOU CAN’T EVEN DODGE I thought government regulations change at the speed of molasses, but for some independent agencies, it can happen at the speed of light(ning). The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) changed their Geographical Targeting Order (GTO) from one month to the … Read more
What a fun way to travel! As a member of the Dept. of Business Oversight (DBO) Escrow Advisory Board Panel, we have our quarterly meetings in downtown Los Angeles. We gather our questions, stories and concerns and we let our regulator know during the 2 hours that we are there. I used to drive myself … Read more
VIVA ESCROW Q & A SEGMENT (Real questions left on our website!) Q: “My father, who passed away a week ago, was the only one on the title of his house in Pico Rivera. What process needs to be taken to get it transferred to my mother’s name who is still alive. There was no … Read more
CALIFORNIA PROPERTY TAXES ARE DUE ON APRIL 10! DO YOU HAVE YOUR TAX BILL ON HAND FOR PAYMENT? HACKING OF EMAILS – ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE “WEAK LINK” A few weeks ago one of my staff caught a hacker trying to substitute a Seller’s wire instructions for his own fake instructions. My staff caught it … Read more
VIVA ESCROW Q & A SEGMENT (Real questions left on our website!) My sister and I hold title on a rental as “Joint Tenants”. She want to transfer her share to her Living Trust. Here are my questions: Do I have to sign and quitclaim and /or grant deed to terminate the Joint Tenancy and … Read more
In this newsletter I cover the following topics: What do I do if one of the property owners passes away? What tax bracket is your home in? Millennial Home Buying Blockchain and Me Amazon HQ2 IRS News How did they come up with this name? It’s happy Chinese New Year Things to remember 1. What … Read more