LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Listen To Podcast Of Andrew Lieb Discussing The Legal Implications of Canine Defecation on Real Life 88.3 FM

Andrew Lieb discussed Neighbor Issues on Real Life with John Christopher on 88.3 WPPB Peconic Public Broadcasting.

Learn the legal implications of what happens when your dog defecates on your neighbor's property.

Listen to the podcast here. 

The Making Home Affordable Program (MHA) has been formally extended 1 year

The Making Home Affordable Program (MHA), has been formally extended 1 year, through December 31, 2016, by Supplemental Directive 15-04. The program has been widely successful in providing affordable alternatives to foreclosure for millions of homeowners nationwide, and the extension through 2016 will provide relief to the millions more who will be in danger of falling behind on their mortgages in the next year.

This extension applies only to mortgages that are not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and for applications that are submitted to the Lender on or before December 31, 2016. Though it is not necessary to have a decision on the application for a loan modification, short sale, or deed-in-lieu by the end of 2016 to be eligible under the MHA program, the transaction must close on or before September 30, 2017 if the borrower would like to receive incentive compensation, such as relocation assistance, payments for successfully completing a short sale or deed-in-lieu, or payments for making timely loan modification payments. Since the amount of relocation assistance that Lenders must offer has increased from $3,000 to $10,000 for all HAFA (short sales & deeds-in-lieu) transactions closing on or after February 1, 2015, borrowers must be mindful of the deadlines so that they may be eligible to receive this increased amount to assist them in moving costs.

This Directive also amends the MHA guidebook to allow servicers to establish a cap on the amount that they will pay to release the second mortgage liens, as long as the cap is not less than $12,000. It establishes a floor amount that borrowers may receive from their primary mortgage lenders to assist them in closing on their short sales or deeds-in-lieu.


These amendments ensure that borrowers will continue to have access to adequate relief through the MHA program.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Andrew Lieb Discusses Neighbor Issues and How to Resolve Them on Real Life 88.3 FM 5/22/15 at 5:30pm

Andrew Lieb Discussing "Top 10 Changes in Real Estate Laws of 2014" at Nassau County Bar Association (CLE Credit Available)

Attention Nassau County Bar Association Real Property Law Committee Members - Andrew Lieb, Esq. will be speaking on ""Top Ten Changes in Real Estate Law of 2014" at the Real Property Law Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 5:30p.m. in the Founders Room at the Home of the Association.

CLE credit is available.

Friday, May 15, 2015

5 Ways Rich People Save Money on Real Estate Transactions

Even the most affluent buyers and sellers want to save money on their real estate transactions beyond negotiating the sales price. Many find themselves shopping mortgage brokers for best rates, trying to negotiate commissions out of real estate brokers, or finding the attorney who charges the least. There are many other ways that real savings in real estate transactions are realized beyond squeezing your service providers and commoditizing their services. Instead, buyers and sellers should realize true savings by utilizing these five tips in real estate transactions.

Read Andrew Lieb's full article in The Huffington Post or Dan's Papers.


SCAR Proceeding Owner-Occupancy Requirement

The Court of Appeals recently held that a single-family home is not “owner-occupied” for purposes of qualification in a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) when such home is occupied “by an owner’s relative but not by the owner” “during the relevant tax period.” In so ruling, the court limited SCAR proceedings’ availability to fact-patterns that clearly establish occupancy by the owner.

Read Andrew Lieb's full article published in The Suffolk Lawyer.

SCAR Proceeding Owner-Occupancy Requirement

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Listen To Podcast of Last Week's 'Eye on Real Estate' Radio Show - Andrew Lieb Joined Panel

Estate Deals - Free CE from Lieb School at Newsday in Melville

Instructor: Andrew Lieb, Esq

Date: June 4th, 2015 at Newsday in Melville

Course Summary: Estate sales offer a unique opportunity to help the grieving by doing your job professionally. Starting with speaking the language of the Surrogate’s Court, this course will empower the real estate broker / salesperson to assist the Executor / Administrator in liquidating real property in order to satisfy debts of the estate. Additionally, disputes between beneficiaries and with the fiduciary, sales forced by the court, and foreclosures incident to the probate process will be discussed. Lastly, the student will be exposed to the overlay of brokerage and executor’s commissions where an Executor / Administrator is expressly exempt from the Real Estate License Law for Brokerage.

To Register: Login to Your Lieb School Account and Click "Enroll" or "Join Waiting List"