Articles & Insights
Latest Articles
The Wisdom of Creating Multiple Street Lots
Selling homes in phases? Consider structuring your next subdivision map to include multiple road lots. Asphalt streets are definitely one of the most expensive items
Releasing DRE Bonds
Filing bonds on subdivisions are one of those requirements that you can’t often avoid, without delaying getting your project to market. Subdividers under a Final
Housing Is Looking Up
Last night, before going to bed, I saw the S&P Homebuilders Index (XHB) was up over 8% in after-hours trading. This morning, I checked and
Our Differences Are Also Our Strengths
What crazy times we’re living in! As if we all didn’t have enough going on this year already, Covid-19 has brought HOA communities throughout California
Phasing in a Market Downturn
When times are good – phasing your marketing program can be a headache. When times are slow, however, Phasing can be a lifesaver! I’ve always
The Importance of Partnerships
We recently had an interesting case that brought real life issues to the forefront of our Reserve Study services. Every single HOA board has at
Completion Bonding & the Approval Process
Any time that the common area improvements will not be completed in a development at the time of the first sale closing, a financial security
Fiduciary Obligations
According to Wikipedia, a fiduciary “is a person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with one or more other parties (person or
RE 618H
In September, a revised RE 618H form was published by the DRE. This revision allows for budget assessment changes in the Public Report. With the
Solar Requirements Impact on Final Public Report
With the new solar requirements coming into effect in 2020, we have confirmed that the DRE will maintain their “hands off” approach to reviewing solar
Check Out Our Phasing Predictor
You have a new project and you’re ready to get going! You’re just not sure the best course of action to take? Many questions may
New Rent Control Bill – For Better or Worse?
If you are a landlord, by now you’ve no doubt heard of Assembly Bill 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019. This Bill was designed
Non-CID Subdivisions – What’s That?
You just completed a draft of your subdivision map and are excited about the future prospects of your project. Suddenly you find out that the
What the H&@% is a Subordination and Do I Need One?
As you all know, when you have a project with an existing Deed of Trust, the Department of Real Estate requires that the existing loan
What Your Lender Needs to Understand About DRE Requirements
The construction loan is recorded and construction is well underway. The DRE process is clicking along, and you just found out you need to negotiate
Structuring Phased Common Area
We often work with our clients to create a successful phasing program, being careful to annex common areas at the right time, allowing us to
Are CC&Rs Required?
One question we are asked from time to time, is whether or not a client should record CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) on their project.
Budgeting for Variable Assessments
Not all lots or units are created equal. Sometimes the range of differences is based on square footage, location, or certain amenities like ADUs or
4 x 4ing and other Illegal Subdivision Sales
The Department of Real Estate oversees the marketing and sales of subdivided lands, which is generally defined as developments consisting of five (5) or more
Buying in Bulk
The success of the Costco chain of stores has proven that buying in bulk makes sense to a lot of us. From retail sales to
Deferment of Assessments (for Unimproved Common Area)
When an HOA is created, the assessments are triggered when the first lot or unit is sold. For planning purposes, it’s important to note that
You’ve closed the first sale… What’s next?
After the Final Public Report is issued, and the master documents are disbursed, the DRE file here at CBS is suspended, in case any issues
Balcony Inspections are now part of Condo Conversion filings with DRE
In response to a balcony collapse in Berkley, California in 2015, SB 721 has been passed and signed into law. Effective January 2019, all multi-family
Phasing Predictor Launch
It is that time again. The time of year to hone in on short term goals and personal achievements for the coming year. And, if