Any actions a Real Estate agent can take to diminish the chances of legal troubles will only enhance his or her career. The ten major actions a Realtor can do to avoid legal problems are:

1. Disclose all known facts.
2. Disclose prior conditions that have been corrected.
3. Make sure to follow-up on Verbal Disclosure.
4. Act only with the scope of your expertise.
5. Choose your actions wisely.
6. Always have your client's best interest at heart.
7. Rely on third parties only within reason.
8. Verify your facts before stating them.
9. Establish correct and reasonable expectations with your clients.
10. Recognize your authority and act only within those limits.

Body psychology says a lot about a person and the study of it goes back many years. After we moved out of the hunter-gatherer area, we created tools and weapons. Then, emotions only begin to arise, as wounded would have to deal with the choices of the past. During the Victorian era, one was told to cover their body. It wasn't until after the Victorians that one began to study the body.

A student of Freud's was one of the first to document observations regarding emotional problems and postural distortions.

As the years trod on more research was gone into "Interpreting Body Psychology". Such is the name of a book by Chris Cotone. He talks about the interpretations we can naturally see and others that we can learn to interpret from one's body positions.

Are you a master of interpreting body emotions? Have you ever had a buyer or seller showing any tell-tale signs of distress?

13507 Contour Dr
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
MLS ID#: F1756948
$899,000
3 Bed , 3 Bath
2,038 Sq. Ft.
.11 Acres

Amazing Single Family Home South of the Boulevard. In move in condition located south of valley vista in the hills of Sherman Oaks this lovely view homes features great amenities in a most peaceful setting. There are two bedrooms, 1.5 baths, living room ,dining room, kitchen laundry room and hardwood floors upstairs. The lower level presents a much desired true master suite complete with dual fireplace that extends into the sitting area as well. A room sized walk in closet, updated sumptuous bath complete with everything you can think of including a bidet and superb views. This short pay is the secret desire of any buyer who wants to just bring a tooth brush at a price that is hard to beat.

With tax season back in town, I get a lot of questions about real estate taxes and capital gains. Because it is complicated, I created this easy bullet point information system.

• Excluding Gain: From five years previous on the date of sale, if you have lived in your home for at least 2 years as your principal residence, you can exclude gains of up to $250,000 or $500,000 on a joint return.
• Rental Reinvest: Rental real estate can be traded directly for like kind properties and then you may defer the gain. However, a deferred property will be considered a sale rather than a tax-free exchange. And there are multiple rules and regulations involved with a like-kind exchange, for more information refer to Publication 544, Sales and Other Disposition of Assets.
• Reporting: Form 8824 - Instructions, Like-Kind Exchanges will be used, and remember to report whether or not a gain or loss was recognized.
• Records: Receipts, canceled checks and other documents usually should be kept for three years, but property records should be kept indefinitely.

A lot of people have been talking about Foreclosures in this soft market and with the national foreclosure rate up more than 78 percent in the last year; you can see why they're talking.

But what most people don't know is that the problem is REGIONAL and not affecting the OVERALL market. In fact the stats show that over 98 percent of homes in the real estate market were NOT affected. In fact, the exact amount was a mere 1.033 percent of homes that were dealing with foreclosures.

"Okay Anita, but how do I, the consumer, make sense out of ALL the foreclosure news I hear?"

Well I will break it down right here, right now.

First of all, foreclosure rates actually FELL, meaning fewer foreclosures, in 14% of the top hundred areas.

Second, the stats are never presented in context. 

And third, only 70 percent of homes are even in the running for foreclosure since the other thirty percent are owned outright (free and clear) from the bank. 

To be sure about foreclosures in your area contact a trusted Real Estate Agent or Broker, and they will be able to let you know how foreclosures are truly affecting your area.