April 3, 2017

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Tax refunds and bankruptcies a seasonal trend – For many people, a tax refund means a chance to fund a vacation or splurge on a big purchase. For some, though, it’s a way to wipe out crushing debt – not by paying it off, but by giving them enough money to pay for bankruptcy.

U.S. debt to double over the next 30 years – U.S. debt is likely to double as a share of the economy over the next 30 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Mortgage applications decrease – Mortgage applications dropped 0.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly mortgage applications survey.

March 28, 2017

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Mortgage Rates Monday, March 27: Drop; Buyers Face Tight Inventory – Mortgage rates today for 30-year fixed loans and 5/1 ARMs dropped, while rates for 15-year fixed loans rose, according to a NerdWallet survey of mortgage rates published by national lenders Monday morning.

How Virtual Reality Could Revolutionize The Real Estate Industry – Real estate is an industry that normally moves with the times and adopts technology that can assist in its continued success. However, there seems to be a slight lack of faith in a new technology that presents itself to the industry: virtual reality. This could potentially be a grave mistake by some, and quite the advantage for those who rapidly adopt the technology this year.

The Latest Craze In Silicon Valley: Bankruptcy – Some Silicon Valley VCs are choosing a quieter state-law procedure known as an assignment for benefit of creditors, or ABC, where a trustee sends checks to creditors and liquidates the business.

March 23, 2017

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When Couples Divorce, Who Gets to Keep the Dog? (Or Cat.) – When couples get divorced, children are not the only ones who can get caught in custody disputes. Fights over other members of the family — beloved pets — can be equally acrimonious.

Mortgage applications fall 2.7%, as borrowers turn to riskier loans – The fast-rising cost of housing today is shrinking demand for home loans but also pushing those who are in the market toward cheaper, adjustable-rate mortgages.

3 Tech Trends Helping to Bring New Investors to Real Estate – Technology is enabling more people to become real estate entrepreneurs.

Determining When to Mediate a Boat Accident Case

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Mediation has long been accepted as an effective method of resolving legal disputes. It has been used recently to help settle personal injury cases, including those that involve boat accidents. Mediation in boat accident cases may be initiated if the lawyers for the plaintiff and the insurance company have failed to reach an agreeable settlement, usually after several rounds of negotiations. When litigation seems likely, one of the parties may suggest mediation instead. In some states, mediation is required before a case can proceed through litigation.

Mediation may occur at the mediator’s office or in another neutral business setting. It commences with each party providing an opening statement about their side of the case, which they should communicate concisely and respectfully. The mediator explains the process of mediation and the various steps involved in the process. He or she explains the role of private caucuses which are private meetings between the mediator and one of the parties and his or her legal counsel. During these caucuses, the mediator gathers important information about the case and any offers that are being made to settle. He or she then goes to the other party with this information and offer in an attempt to guide the parties toward settlement.

The mediator’s role is important because he or she is a neutral party that does not legally represent either side. He or she can give an unbiased opinion about the case or a particular legal issue so that the parties may be better able to anticipate issues that a judge or jury may find with their side of the case. He or she may also discuss how similar issues were decided in court so that the parties have a realistic viewpoint on how the case may wind up. These matters often increase the likelihood that the parties will settle their claim. If the parties do reach an agreement, they sign a written settlement agreement that stands as an enforceable contract.

March 20, 2017

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This is why baby boomers are divorcing at a stunning rate – Statistically speaking we’re healthier and probably going to be living a lot longer — possibly 30 years longer — than average retirees once did. The surge in late-in-life — or “gray” — divorce is one possibly unintended consequence of this so-called longevity bonus.

$20 Trillion In Debt – And Why We Need Even More Of It – Markets naturally trade on future expectations. Currently, US stock valuations rely on a necessary degree of public debt expansion. On its own, the federal budget is currently infeasible to balance due to ongoing trends in federal expenditures. The debt expansion most relevant to the US stock market includes the Trump administration’s initiatives to lower corporate tax rates and increase infrastructure spending.

Beware of mind games when shopping mortgage rates – Sometimes our brain gets in the way of a good decision. It’s called “cognitive bias,” and it happens when our mind tricks us into making irrational choices. We think something is true — and we just go with it.