Posted on January 27, 2008 by Nancy Liu | Category: Wills & Estate Planning
Introduction to Wills and Estate Planning The housing market crash has affected us on personal and institutional levels across the whole world. We see prices going up, people losing jobs, while the dark cloud of recession hangs over our heads. If there is any positive side to the current recession is that it has helped… Read More
Posted on January 27, 2008 by Nancy Liu | Category: Real Estate
Autumn is the season of harvest. It is also the annual property-tax season. If this is your first year of owning your newly purchased property, or if you own land, rental property or commercial property, you need to check the payment of every single property’s tax bill from your local county (or city, if the… Read More
Posted on January 27, 2008 by Nancy Liu | Category: Real Estate
When you sell your investment or rental properties to recoup the profits you retained through the years, do not forget to pay taxes on the capital gains. How can you minimize your tax liability? A program called 1031 Exchange will help you delay the tax payment. The 1031 Exchange was created in 1921 as part… Read More
Posted on January 27, 2008 by Nancy Liu | Category: Real Estate
There are two major regulations on real estate lending. One is the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, also called RESPA. The other is the Truth in Lending Act. 1. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) In 1974, the United States Congress passed a consumer-protection statute called Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The purpose… Read More
Posted on January 27, 2008 by Warren Wen | Category: Immigration
US Immigration Trend in 2008 2/2 In the previous article we mentioned that in order to have a correct analysis of the US immigration trend, we need to have an overall understanding of the US economy and its politics. It is very unlikely that the US can avoid a recession in 2008, so the current… Read More
Posted on January 23, 2008 by Nancy Liu | Category: Real Estate
When a buyer purchases a property with a mortgage, the mortgage lender often requires the borrower to set up an escrow account with the lender. The purpose of an escrow account is to ensure that the borrower will pay the property’s property taxes and insurance premiums (hazardous insurance, or flood insurance, if any) on time. … Read More
Posted on January 23, 2008 by Nancy Liu | Category: Real Estate
Here I would like to share a little knowledge that might save you big bucks in the future. I always like to remind homebuyers to apply for the homestead exemption at the end of the closing. I vividly remember at one closing, while I was talking to the buyer about this, the seller was astonished. … Read More
Posted on January 20, 2008 by Warren Wen | Category: Immigration
US Immigration Trend in 2008 1/2 In a blink, two weeks of 2008 have passed. In order to have a correct analysis of the US immigration trend, we need to have an overall understanding of the US economy and politics. Although we are just at the beginning of 2008, we can say with confidence that… Read More
Posted on January 03, 2008 by Warren Wen | Category: Immigration
How Can Employers Cope with the New Trend of the USCIS? In recent months, immigration policy has become increasingly tough when it comes to employers. It is reflected both in new DOL rules on the restriction of Labor Certification applications, which will be effective this July, and new DHS rules, which will bring significant civil… Read More
Posted on December 20, 2007 by Warren Wen | Category: Immigration
Could Filing L-1 Application in Different States Speed Up the Process? Mr. Liang asked: I have been in the manufacturing business for almost 10 years in China (Korea). My business is expanding very fast. I am planning to open a new office in the US and develop this market. One of my business partners in… Read More