THIS ISSUE: The California Court of Appeal recently held that some guarantors may be liable for a loan deficiency judgment after a foreclosure sale on real property, while others may not.1 The decision follows long California precedent, but may be ripe for legislative review regarding the inherent risks in personal guaranties during a real estate foreclosure.
R.E.A.C.H. October 2008: Easements Extinguished by Merger
THIS ISSUE: One person’s ownership of two parcels of land will extinguish easements benefitting either of the parcels through the process of “merger.” But what happens when the parcels are owned by multiple parties?
R.E.A.C.H. September 2008: Protecting Arbitration Rights in Lien Proceedings
THIS ISSUE: How can parties to a construction contract guard against the inadvertent loss of contractual rights to arbitration in lien enforcement proceedings?
R.E.A.C.H. August 2008: Disguised Option Agreements
THIS ISSUE: When does an option to purchase real property become an enforceable contract of sale? Can an option agreement be unilaterally cancelled?
R.E.A.C.H. July 2008: Mandatory Mediation Enforcement
THIS ISSUE: Most residential purchase agreements contain a mandatory mediation agreement. California courts have upheld this provision, and the resulting waiver of the right to recover attorney fees for breach.
R.E.A.C.H. June 2008: California Solar Rights Act
THIS ISSUE: Seeking to promote the use of solar energy in California, the Legislature passed the California Solar Rights Act in 1978. This Act has recently received a lot of public attention, both in court and out.
R.E.A.C.H. May 2008: When Do Real Estate Agents Become Contractors?
THIS ISSUE: Often in the sale of real property, money is held back in the transaction to be used to complete certain repairs to the home. If the real estate agent takes charge of organizing the repairs and paying the contractors, does the agent become a contractor herself?
R.E.A.C.H. April 2008: Progress Payment Penalty Statutes
THIS ISSUE: The California Court of Appeal has held that the “final payment” owed to a contractor is not a “progress payment,” the improper withholding of which would entitle a contractor to progress payment penalties. How does this impact contractors and property owners?
R.E.A.C.H. March 2008: Recovering Attorney Fees
THIS ISSUE: Most real estate purchase agreements contain some form of prevailing party attorney fees provision. Understanding how those provisions work, and the pitfalls associated with them can enhance a litigation negotiation position significantly.
R.E.A.C.H. February 2008: Equity Home Sales Bond Requirements
THIS ISSUE: Home Equity Sales involve a number of statutory require‐ ments. But a recent court decision has potentially eliminated the bond requirement we discussed in the June 2007 R.E.A.C.H. issue.