The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog Saturday 01-30-10

The Beverly Hills Real Estate blog Saturday 01-30-10

Good morning another nice day on tap.  60's partly cloudy today.

Here's the scoop: Tonight: Partly cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow: A few clouds from time to time. High 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow night: Clear. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.

Monday: Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. High 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Welcome to the written blog and check out our daily video joke and blog which is posted around noon time on  www.paraquatkelley.com  Click on podcasts in upper right corner. http://screencast.com/t/MzdlMGM3NDg

 John Daly quitting golf?  His caddie says no.  The Golf Channel says he is... I say no.  Golf Channel is a drag.  It's bad enough Tigers gone but even worse the Golf Channel‘s broadcasting the events.  How about reports; Phil Mickelson is using an illegal wedge?  Does that mean he's cheating?  Officials are looking into the matter as several tour players have accused Phil of using illegal equipment.

We're headed to Westlake today to a friends house on the fairway of Sherwood Country Club.  We'll have a blast

Here's the link for Open Houses for viewing from your computer.  Please call us if we can help you 310 888 3357.  http://www.themls.com/wohg.cfm?DEBUG=0

News:

FIDELITY REINSTATES FIRPTA QUALIFIED SUBSTITUTE SERVICES

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) and its title insurance underwriters, including Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, have informed C.A.R. they are now offering FIRPTA qualified substitute services.  They have informed C.A.R. that, upon request, they will sign the C.A.R. Qualified Substitute form if they are in possession of a completed and executed Transferor's Affidavit.  This is another major company that is providing this valuable service to real estate professionals.

Three days ago, C.A.R. reported on the refusal by certain settlement companies, including FNF companies, to provide FIRPTA qualified substitute services (see Realegal dated January 26, 2010).  C.A.R. also began providing member-generated FIRPTA Qualified Substitute Services lists of the settlement companies that will, and those that will not, provide FIRPTA qualified services.

It was at the direction of our members that C.A.R. advocated for years for federal legislation to help protect the privacy of sellers' social security numbers on FIRPTA forms.  In July 2008, a FIRPTA fix by way of a qualified substitute alternative was finally enacted into law to the celebration of many REALTORS®.  It was therefore very disappointing when certain title companies temporarily shrank from providing FIRPTA qualified substitute services.  At this time, C.A.R. is happy to report that FNF and its title insurance underwriters will resume providing FIRPTA qualified substitute services.

C.A.R. provides REALTORS® with many legal articles covering a wide range of topics of interest.  Two of our new legal articles available at http://qa.car.org are as follows:

• Revised Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 Statements.
• Ten Frequently-Asked Hotline Questions.

That's all for today as always; we have so much to be thankful for and Count your blessings.