Real Estate: FNF Takes Some Heat on the Commonwealth-Lawyers Acquisition

So, if public relations was the objective of this exercise, the outcome was at best mixed. At least, the calls were not screened. The Lawyers and Commonwealth agents, employees and customers who asked questions seemed to be edgy and poorly informed. This performance showed that FNF has a great deal of work to do. It also provided plenty of marketing ideas — for Stewart Title, First American Title and the rest of the non-FNF half of the title insurance world, that is.

So, you think you are having a bad day . . .

Posted by Cliff Tuttle Click here.

A Quick Primer on Pre-emption

The judge wrote that, when the ordinance was enacted, the City lawmakers were unaware that federal statutes regulated the subject and that the statutes contained clear language expressing the intention that federal law pre-empt the field.

Real Estate: A Few Thoughts about HUD’s New Settlement Sheets

It is not hard to figure out what will happen in practice. There will be a cushion added to certain GFE estimated charges, with the final total coming in less than the estimate — gratifying everyone.

Real Estate: The New HUD1 and HUD1A

HUD’s big idea was to force whoever prepares the settlement sheet to spell out the charges set forth in the Good Faith Estimate and make a side by side comparison with actual charges. The primary effect of this change is to create more work for whoever must prepare the settlement sheet. The claim that it will save $700 in settlement costs is so much baloney.

Landlord-Tenant: When Your Landlord Faces Foreclosure . . .

You may discover, by the way, that the lender is quite happy to collect the rent and is in no hurry to foreclose. This situation has been turning up lately, since the real estate market is terrible and any lender would just as soon not own another rental property, at least not just yet. Some will give the borrower some time to find a buyer and (Glory Halelluia!) pay off the loan.

Summary of Durban Bill

Posted by Cliff Tuttle If you would like to know a little more about the Durbin Bill (wherein Bankruptcy Judges would be empowered to modify first mortgages) than is contained in the usual press coverage, click here for a detailed but readable summary. CLT

Mortgage Foreclosure: More Shift in the Balance of Power.

Citigroup, as the NYT article mentions, is receiving billions in federal bailout funds. It is not too hard to imagine that the two phenomena are connected. The new Congress that was sworn in this week is shaping up to look as activist as the one that was elected with Roosevelt in 1932. When Democratic Congressional leaders ask Citi what it intends to do to earn continuing support, they don’t believe self-serving statements that it will voluntarily modify mortgages. And so, Citi “proves” its dedication to this proposition by publicly supporting mandatory modification for all.

A Cardinal Lawyer

Posted by Cliff Tuttle The Pittsburgh Catholic announced in the January 9, 2009 edition that Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit. Cardinal Maida was a priest in the Diocese of Pittsburgh who became a civil lawyer and a canon lawyer. Then he became the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s lawyer, […]

New York Times on How Pittsburgh is Weathering the Recession.

Posted by Cliff Tuttle The New York Times published a story this morning in which it noted that the economic indicators for Pittsburgh were better than the rest of the nation. While most of this is not news to Pittsburghers, it makes nice reading on a frigid January day. However, as local leaders warn, it […]

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Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

Legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus.

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