Mondays With Murray
In 2019, I had the pleasure of joining forces with my mentor, Murray D. Fischer, Esq. He became my colleague and a best friend. Unfortunately, COVID-19 means that we have been working apart. But now it’s time to hold Mondays with Murray, so we can share with you our knowledge as to relevant business and real estate issues. Follow Judith on Linkedin to receive updates on Mondays With Murray here.
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 7: A Reminder That Title Reports Matter
Murray and I have been busy throughout Covid, but something is a little different - the hustle and bustle is back, and our purchase and sale escrows are in full swing. We are doing a lot of title commitment and title insurance policy work during our escrows, and we see we need to remind our friends, colleagues, clients and associates about title reports...
Murray's Top 3 Tips on Title Reports are:
1. The title report matters! A title report is a document that outlines the legal status of a property and related issues on its ownership and use.
2. Review and make sure you understand the impediments which are part of your title report. These are usually found in the exceptions portion of your preliminary title report.
3. Ensure the title report and the exceptions won't impact your future use of the property - such as old restrictions, covenants, requirements for attendant parking, and more, which limit how you can use your property.
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 6: VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS!
Murray and I are back at City Hall, discussing #views. Why? Because we have a news flash: no one’s view is guaranteed or unrestricted. Your right to your view (which you surely paid a lot of $ for) is much more complicated and restricted than you likely imagine.
Murray’s Top Three Tips on Views are:
1. Be aware that there is no over-arching California law governing #viewpreservation.
2. There are local restrictions of your view, which often times apply to limit the #height of #buildings, #landscaping and more.
3. Conduct due diligence on #zoning laws, #CC&Rs and other local #regulations so you know what you’re getting and what your rights are/not.
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 5: Our Top 3 Tips on Affordable Housing in California
There is an affordable housing shortage and a lot of us can do some thing about it. I spoke with Murray D Fischer about it and our tips are:
1. Acknowledge there is an affordable housing shortage in California
2. Pursue great opportunities to address this issue, including ADU (accessory dwelling units) and affordable housing projects
3. Encourage your state and local agencies to reduce development requirements so affordable housing can be easier to provide
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 4: Closing that Deal
Covid and closings don’t seem to go hand in hand, but they can.
Murray and I have many escrows still in play. The ones that will cross the finish line have business folks that incorporated at least 1 of our Top 3 Tips into the deal:
1. Buyers - Ensure that your PSA provides for some flexibility on timing and gives you the option to extend the closing (by a reasonable amount of time and for a reasonable cost, so your Seller knows you are serious).
2. Buyers - While you’re working on your LOI, check-in with your lenders ans vendors, to get the loan and inspection process underway.
3. Sellers - Understanding of the times is key. We are primarily seeing serious buyers that are custom to the location/deal go after deals these days. That means that for your property to sell, your Buyer may need some more time and/or support. Give in a little, but perhaps in return, the Buyer can release some funds, pay for your carrying costs, or make other concessions, so you can both cross the finish line.
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 3: Top Tips Regarding Your Architect and Contractor for Your Single Family Residence Construction/Remodel.
Welcome back and happy 2021. I am masked up and happily interviewing Murray Fischer.
Last week, we discussed the application process for the construction / #remodeling of your single family residence. We received a lot of feedback and especially got many questions about the next step, your relationship with your #architects and #generalcontractors.
Our Top 3 Tips about your residential architects and contractors are:
1. Architect Agreement - Should be with a licensed architect and the agreement should provide that the architect will include the owners intent and instruction in the plans. After all, this is your home.
2. Architect Oversight - The agreement with the architect should provide that the architect agrees to consistently come on site To oversee the contractors work and insure the construction complies with the approved #construction plans.
3. Contractor Agreement - Should be a fixed fee agreement, to avoid any additional costs being passed onto the owner.
Please feel free to post below with any questions or comments.
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 2: Developing Your Single Family Residence
This episode of Mondays With Murray speaks to the issue of developing your single family residence. Murray and I have friends, family and clients who often excitedly reach out to us, sharing their big plans for the remodel/development of their dream home.
However, our Top 3 Tips should always be at the forefront:
1. Architects - employ an experienced architect who is familiar with the processes and local codes of the city in which your property is located.
2. Local Codes - be aware of local codes and ordinances which will significantly impact your development (e.g., height restrictions, setbacks, design review, etc.)
3. Title Matters - be aware of other limitations which will inhibit your development (e.g., easements, utilities, etc.)
Bottom line - Call us during escrow. But - If you didn’t call us during escrow, then call us before you submit your plans, so we can reach out to the city, schedule a pre-submittal meeting, and help you get what you want, faster.
MONDAYS WITH MURRAY - Episode 1: Top 3 Tips About The Current Office Leasing Market
In 2019, I had the pleasure of joining forces with my mentor, Murray D. Fischer, Esq. He became my colleague and a best friend. Unfortunately, COVID-19 means that we have been working apart.
But now it’s time to hold Mondays with Murray, so we can share with you our knowledge as to relevant business and real estate issues.
In this Episode 1, I asked Murray to share his Top 3 Tips about the current office leasing market. The big take away is: The City Of Beverly Hills recently passed an ordinance reducing the number of parking spaces from 1 for every 200 sq ft to 1 per every 350 sq ft, the same as retail. That’s a huge opportunity for the office retail arena to capitalize upon in order to stay afloat!