Michigan Online Real Estate Continuing Education (con ed)

Here is another example of a recent legal case involving a fraudulent real estate scheme committed by a real estate agent. I try to post case summaries in order to provide timely updates to real estate professionals on important issues. On May 11, 2009, John A. Yanchek was sentenced to 60 months...

Here is another example of a recent legal case involving a fraudulent real estate scheme committed by a real estate agent. I try to post case summaries in order to provide timely updates to real estate professionals on important issues. On May 11, 2009, Oladipo Olafunmiloye, a real estate agent,...

Here is a little reminder for everyone about their obligations under the Fair Housing act with respect to people with disabilities.  The following are a few examples of illegal housing practices against persons with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act: Refusing to rent or sell or otherwise m...

The goal of the Fair Housing Act is to ensure “no person shall be subjected to discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin in the sale, rental or advertising of dwellings, in the provision of brokerage services, or in the availability of res...

Under the Fair Housing Act, a resident or an applicant for housing makes a reasonable accommodation request whenever she makes clear to the housing provider that she is requesting an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service because of her disability. She should ex...

The duty to accommodate arises only when the housing provider has knowledge that a disability exists and that an accommodation may be required for the disabled person to use and enjoy the housing. Here are key points: The applicant or resident must make a request for an accommodation. The reques...

Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible and odorless. It forms from the radioactive decay of small amounts of uranium and thorium naturally present in rocks and soils so some radon exists in all rocks and soils.  Because radon is a gas, it can easily move through soi...

There are a lot of misconceptions about radon with respect to homes and real estate.  Here are a few of the most common radon-related myths and the true facts.   MYTH:  Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem. FACT:  Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths du...

I need to tap into the collective wisdom of my fellow ActiveRain members. An acquaintance of mine just called and asked me an interesting question. She was just asked to list a home for sale. The home is in excellent shape, but it was the scene of a bloody murder nine years ago. Apparently, a fo...

Here is another example of a recent settlement of a Fair Housing Act lawsuit brought by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”). I try to post case summaries in order to provide timely updates to real estate agents and brokers about the "dos and don'ts" under the Fair Housing Act, since f...