January 25, 2024
Introduction Michigan’s Marketable Record Title Act, MCL 565.101, et seq. (the “MRTA”), has been around since 1945, yet many homeowners associations are unaware of the MRTA and its potentially devastating impact on their communities. This article provides a brief background on the MRTA and its 2018 amendment that opened the door to the possible extinguishment of restrictive covenants across the…
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December 19, 2023
Introduction In a significant shift towards transparency, Fannie Mae, the Federal National Mortgage Association, has recently announced that it will make its once-secret “Condo Unavailable Projects and Phases Report” accessible to the public. The decision to make this report publicly available reflects a broader industry trend towards transparency, acknowledging the pivotal role that information plays in empowering consumers and fostering…
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December 11, 2023
‘Tis the season to stow away the skeletons, pumpkins, and witches, and usher in the festive spirit with twinkling lights, wreaths, and snowmen. As the allure of multicolored lights and decorations brightens the early darkness, residents of condominium associations need to align their festive expressions with community rules. For association boards and property managers, enforcing rules and regulations requires a…
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November 29, 2023
March 1, 2024 – Federal Court rules that the Corporate Transparency Act is Unconstitutional: What does it mean for Community Associations? Read our updated blog article. The Corporate Transparency Act is a federal law that was enacted in 2021 to stop individuals in foreign countries from illegally moving money into the United States. The Corporate Transparency Act creates new reporting…
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August 23, 2023
Preparing an annual budget is essential for the financial stability of community associations. However, not all associations know how to effectively create an association budget. To help you with this task, here are some guidelines that will make preparing your budget a straightforward process: Create a Budgeting Committee: While it’s the board’s responsibility to create the budget, assembling a committee…
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July 12, 2023
Ownership and use of common areas in platted subdivisions is one of the more complicated areas of real estate law and has been the subject of conflicting caselaw in the State of Michigan. In Otto v Batdorfer, unpublished per curiam opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued February 17, 2022 (Docket No. 355936), the Michigan Court of Appeals analyzed this…
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