Archive for 'Attorney'

I Got A Quit Claim Deed, So I Own It, Right?

In Michigan, there are three general types of deeds that are used in real estate transactions: quit claim, covenant, and warranty. Each of these deeds has a different legal impact. Sellers and buyers of real estate should fully understand the impact of the deed they are asked to sign, or accept. The deed with the [...]

Commercial Leases: Gross vs. Net

There are two general types of leases that you may encounter when leasing commercial property. One type of lease is generally referred to as a gross lease. The other type is generally referred to as a net lease. When the phrase “gross lease” is used, that phrase generally refers to a lease in which the [...]

Business Apps for the iPad

In an earlier blog entry, I noted that I had, to my surprise, found the iPad quite useful for business purposes.  In this entry, I want to highlight selected apps I find particularly useful in a business setting.  As a preliminary note, you should understand my use case, to better understand whether the apps I [...]

iPad: Not Just For Games and Netflix

Last week I brought my iPad with me to the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section’s Summer Conference. It was the first opportunity I had to use the iPad extensively for business purposes. Surprisingly, I found the iPad was extremely useful at my conference, as I was able to download all of the [...]

Residential and Agricultural Properties Face July 31 Tax Appeal Filing Deadline

The deadline to file a Petition challenging the assessment for properties classified as residential or agricultural is July 31.  In order to file a Petition before the Michigan Tax Tribunal for these properties, an owner must have appeared at the March Board of Review to challenge the property’s assessment. (In some communities, additional appearances may [...]

Parent-Signed Activity Waivers for Minors are Again Valid in Michigan

Operators of youth sports and recreational activities in Michigan can breathe a bit easier after the passage of a new state law last week.  Under the new law, a waiver signed by a parent or guardian before their child participates in a sport or activity is a valid waiver of claims if the child is [...]

Article by Dave Nykanen Featured by State Bar

Dave Nykanen’s article “To Uncap or Not to Uncap—That is the Question” is currently featured in the May 2011 State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section e-newsletter.  Click here to check it out. If you have questions regarding property tax issues please contact David Nykanen at Demorest Law Firm.

New “Catering Permit” for Liquor License Holders

Last week, Governor Snyder signed a new law permitting certain liquor licensees to apply for and obtain a new “catering permit” (MCL 436.1547).  The catering permit allows existing licensees to provide and serve liquor at private off-site events.  Previously, even if a licensee was providing food service at an off-site event, the licensee could not [...]

MERS Can’t Foreclose By Advertisement

In a significant ruling, a divided panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled that Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc (“MERS”) is not statutorily permitted to foreclose a mortgage by advertisement. MERS was a corporation created by several large mortgage lenders to ease the assignment of loans in the residential marketplace. Rather than record [...]

Court of Appeals Rules For City Over Treasurer In Determination of “Public Purpose” In Sale Following Tax Foreclosure

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled that it is the municipality’s legislative body, and not the County Treasurer, who has the final say as to whether a proposed purchase of tax foreclosed property is for a “public purpose,” as required under Michigan’s General Property Tax Act. In Bay City v. Bay County Treasurer, a [...]