Breakfast With the Bankers and a Side Order of Ability to Repay Over Easy

Last week, the Empire State Mortgage Bankers Association (ESMBA) held a Breakfast Meeting in which ESMBA members and their guests networked and listened to an analysis on how to deal with the Federal Reserve Board (FRB)’s proposed Ability-to-Repay rule. The rule is intended to satisfy Dodd-Frank’s Ability-to-Repay requirements byLender Compliance Group’s President, AGMB’s strategic alliance partner, and featured…

The Real Deal – Using their powers for good?

In this Real Deal May article, Neil comments on potential conflicts of interest when a co-op board member also acts as real estate broker. Read about the legality of this situation and how the ethics have evolved by clicking here to view the full article.   © 2018 Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising:…

NYTimes – Loans for Multifamily Homes

Neil is referenced in a New York Times Real Estate article highlighting possible unforeseen difficulties in qualifying for mortgages on rental units, as opposed to single family residencies.  Click here to read the full NYTimes article.   © 2018 Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising: Please note that prior results do not guarantee a…

Real Deal – Proposed NYS real estate ad rules stir debate

Neil Garfinkel is quoted in this week’s issue of The Real Deal in an article describing some of the disagreements stalling the overhaul of the NYS real estate advertising rules.  Though REBNY and NYSAR agree on most of the proposed regulations, click here to read the full Real Deal article outlining their split on the issue.   © 2018 Abrams…

Consumers Digest: Banks’ turnabout on reversing your mortgage

Neil Garfinkel is referred to in a September 2011 article for Consumers Digest, updating consumers about reverse mortgages and their consequences.  Neil’s advice in the online post can be read in full by clicking here.   © 2018 Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising: Please note that prior results do not guarantee a…

New York, Texas Have Highest Closing Costs

Neil is quoted by Bankrate.com in a July 18th article highlighting their 2011 closing costs survey, which is performed annually.  To read the full article, please click here.   © 2018 Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising: Please note that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

The Real Deal – The Disclosure Dilemma

Neil was interviewed for an article in The Real Deal’s May issue which examines the new agency disclosure law.  As resident counsel to REBNY, Neil helped draft the law and has been in discussion with the New York Department of State concerning necessary amendments to the law.  This article outlines some of the confusion brokers and…

Department of State Issues Opinion on What Constitutes Substantive Contact

I am very pleased to inform you that REBNY and I have successfully requested that the New York Department of State – Division of Licensing (“DOS”) create an exception concerning what constitutes “substantive contact” under Real Property Law §443 (“Agency Disclosure Law”). The attached letter from the DOS (to view the letter please click here)…

AOL Real Estate – Groupon Posts First Deal For Home Buyers

Neil is referenced in yesterday’s AOL Real Estate blog post that focuses onGroupon‘s new coupon deal involving real estate brokers, agents, and homeowners. Read the entire post: “Groupon Offer a Good Deal for Home Buyers?”   © 2018 Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising: Please note that prior results do not guarantee a similar…

Avoiding Refinancing Costs After Divorce

Neil is featured in this week’s Real Estate section of The New York Times in an article describing the effects of divorce on a mortgage and the release of liability. Please click here to read the article.   © 2018 Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising: Please note that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.