So, you want to be able to control the flow of information overload right? I mean, we have too much stuff coming at us everyday don’t we? Well then you will love – If THIS then THAT ifttt for short.  So what exactly is it? More importantly who is it for?  The service has been created to make online life easier, to engineer it to make sense for YOU.

If you only check Facebook once and a while and maybe upload a photo here and there, then it may not be for you.  However, if you are like most of us, with multiple social media accounts, blogs and multiple online accounts here, there and EVERYWHERE then ifttt could very well be a lifesaver.

So what does it do?

Ifttt is a task-based service. You basically tell it what task you want it to carry out and it will put that task into action for you.

How does it work?

Tasks are all in the same format to keep it simple.  If THIS happens then THAT will happen.

For example, if a photo is uploaded to Flicker (THIS) then a link will also be sent out as a tweet (THAT).

TRIGGERS are the (THIS) part, the thing that sets the whole process off.  The good news is that there are an infinite amount of triggers to use.  Things like when I send an email post a Facebook status update or update my LinkedIn account.  There are numerous choices you can use.

For example here are some channels you can use as triggers.

Actions are the (THAT) part that will happens once a trigger occurs.  This could be anything.  This could be sending a Facebook status update, creating a note in Evernote or tweeting something.  So when you create trigger (THIS) together with an action (THAT) you get a completed task.

An example would be-

I upload a photo to Flickr, and then it will automatically be sent through Facebook and saved to my photo album.  Since there are literally thousands of combinations of tasks you can set up play around with it.  People actually create “recipes” you can use which is helpful in suggesting examples of how you can utilize it.

I personally use it to share my photos across the web so I don’t have to send them multiple times. I also love to have it save important status updates, news I share and blog posts to my Evernote account.  This way I can remember and keep important things forever.

Just don’t overdo it.  The idea is to simplify your life, not overcomplicate it.  Play around and have fun.  Turn tasks off or create new ones.  The beauty is that it’s infinite on what you can have ifttt do for you.  Just visit www.ifttt.com to set up your free account.  Activate a few channels with your login credentials and create a few tasks.  Trust me it’s really simple.

As always have fun and good luck. Send me an email if you have any comments or questions to cbaker@lakesidetitle.com.

Storage Wars by Chris Baker…Lakeside Title Company’s Resident Techy

May the war for online storage begin!

Google last week announced Google Drive, the search giant’s brand new cloud utility. However, the good old boys are not just sitting around. Here’s how the competition stacks up:

GOOGLE DRIVE:

A one-stop destination for all your photos, documents and media. This essentially replaces the already successful Google Docs.

PRICING: Pretty good. 5 gig’s of FREE storage with paid plan starting at $2.49 per month for 25 GB.

DROPBOX:

The best-known cloud service currently available. It’s available on multiple platforms and is one of the most user-friendly options out there. However, backing up everything to a single dropbox

folder can be cumbersome. PRICING:  Expensive! While it remains popular by being so accessible, it offers only 2 GB of free storage. Paid options start at $9.99 per month for 50GB. Sheesh!

SkyDrive by Microsoft:

This is a new foray into cloud storage for Microsoft. It is now available on both Windows and Macs.  Plugged directly into the office suite, SkyDrive lets users collaborate on Documents and share files

between devices with relative ease.  PRICING:  Cheap!!!! New users get 7 GB of free storage and can get an additional 20GB for just $10 a year!  Wow……

iCloud by Apple:

Seamless integration with iOS and Mac OS X, and soon with Lion, offering access to photos and documents created in the iWork suite. Pretty limited.  PRICING:   Too MUCH!! You only get the

standard 5 GB of storage for free, but access to the 25 GB will run you $40 a year. Let’s hope Apple will make this less expensive as their new data centers come on live.

SugarSync:

This is the cloud utility of power users. It gives you very specific controls for items you want synced to the cloud. It’s offered on multiple platforms and even offers password protection for files.

PRICING:  Reasonable. Starting at 5GB for free, users can upgrade to 30 GB for just $4.99 a month.

Remember, there are plenty of choices out there. Try them all to see what works for you. The more competition, the better will it benefit us, the consumer. Eventually cloud storage will be as outdated

as email is becoming. This is why the prevalence of mobile technology is blossoming along with tablet computing. You no longer have to carry around a laptop with all of your files and data

anymore. Everything is available to you instantly via the internet no matter what device your are using.

Happy storing!

Below please find the outstanding issues provided by the Maryland Association on Realtors. Highlighted links provide details on each Bill and actions by both House and Senate.

2012 Legislative Priorities

Mortgage Interest Deduction

MAR opposed any reduction in the mortgage interest deduction (MID).  Under the Governor’s Budget Reconciliation Bill, itemized deductions would have been reduced by 10-20 percent for tax filers with an adjusted gross income exceeding $100,000.  The mortgage interest deduction and the deductibility of state and local property taxes account for almost 70% of the itemized tax deductions taken by Maryland filers.

STATUS: Itemized deductions, including MID and property taxes, were not changed in the budget reconciliation bill. However, because the Legislature adjourned without passing a revenue measure for the budget, it is likely that a special session will be called before July 1^st to complete action on a revenue bill.  While unlikely, it is possible that the proposal to reduce deductions could be revived.

Tax on Property Management Services

Legislation was introduced to place a sales tax on property management and a number of other services.  MAR opposed this legislation.

STATUS: This legislation did not pass.

Real Estate Brokerage Reform

Legislation making far reaching changes to real estate practice in Maryland was also considered this year.  The legislation would have eliminated exclusive right to sell contracts in Maryland (the basis for the MLS), and would have limited brokerage agreements to 90 days, among other provisions.  MAR opposed this legislation.

STATUS: This legislation did not pass.

Real Estate Agency Legislation

Legislation was introduced to clarify and redefine some of the agency categories now used in Maryland, and change some of the disclosure language in the agency disclosure form.  MAR did not support this legislation.

STATUS: This legislation did not pass.

Sustainable Growth

The Governor proposed legislation to restrict new subdivision development on septic systems throughout Maryland.  The legislation would have given the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) authority to approve creation of zoning overlays where septic subdivisions could and could not be developed.  Although it became clear that there were not enough votes to defeat the bill, MAR joined a coalition of concerned groups to remove state approval for the local growth tiers.

STATUS: State approval authority was removed from the bill.  As passed, the legislation will require local governments to define and develop growth tiers that will direct where major subdivisions using septic systems may be located.

Septic System Grants and Bay Restoration Fund

Under the Bay Restoration Fund, MDE provides 100% cost-differential grants for homeowners with failing systems living in Maryland’s Critical Area.  The grants cover the cost of Best Available Technology (BAT) systems that have enhanced nitrogen removal technology.  Authority for the 100% grants terminates at the end of 2012, and MAR sought legislation to continue the grant program with a more generous grant formula than MDE now provides.  In addition, legislation was introduced to increase the Bay Fund fees.  MAR opposed a consumption based fee, and preferred the recommendation of the Task Force to simply double the fee.

STATUS: Mandatory septic grant legislation did not pass.  The Bay Restoration Fee was doubled from $30 a year to $60 a year (without a consumption based formula).

PlanMaryland

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) submitted a statewide development plan called PlanMaryland before the Legislature convened in January.  MAR had submitted two comment letters expressing concern that PlanMaryland could override local planning decisions by allowing the state to deny permits and funding to local development projects.   Other groups, including the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO), shared those concerns.

STATUS:  MAR supported a MACO drafted bill to clarify that PlanMaryland cannot be used to deny permits and statutorily required funding to local governments.  The legislation passed.

Stormwater Management Fee

Legislation was introduced to require local county governments to impose a stormwater management fee on all residential and commercial property.  MAR opposed the bill, because counties already have authority to impose stormwater fees, and because many counties were already considering such actions given stormwater requirements imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

STATUS: Legislation passed requiring the ten Maryland counties subject to EPA stormwater requirements to impose a stormwater fee.  The legislation gives local government discretion in creating the fee.

Real Estate Commission Regulatory Authority

Every ten years, the Real Estate Commission’s (REC) operations are reviewed and a written report is issued.  The report is the basis for legislation which extends the REC’s regulatory authority.  Without passage, the REC would no longer be able to function and issue real estate licenses.  MAR supported reauthorization of the Real Estate Commission, but requested that the guarantee fund cap remain at $25,000.

STATUS: The REC’s reauthorization passed with an increase in the guarantee fund cap to $50,000.  The Legislature increased the cap because it has been over 20 years since any change was made.

Real Estate Commission Continuing Education

The Real Estate Commission requested legislation to allow legal and legislative update classes more flexibility in the material presented to licensees, including court cases and legal trends.  MAR supported the bill, which also allows electronic transmission of continuing education class certificates.

STATUS: This legislation passed.

Lead Paint

Just before the Legislature convened, the Maryland Court of Appeals overturned the property owner liability protections in the Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing law.  As a result, property owners and property managers were subject to uncapped liability for any injuries resulting from elevated blood lead levels.  Numerous bills were introduced to address this problem.  In addition, a Lead Work Group met over the summer to examine whether sellers of owner-occupied housing should be required to conduct lead dust tests.  Although the work group did not recommend point of sale dust tests for owner-occupied property, legislation was introduced which would have required such tests.

STATUS: Legislation passed creating liability protections for property owners; increasing the registration fees from $15-$30 for rental properties; requiring 1950-1978 rental properties to participate in the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (by 2015); and giving MDE authority to mandate clearance tests for any properties subject to the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.  Mandatory dust tests for owner occupied property sales did not pass.

Homestead Tax Disclosure Real Estate

Legislation was introduced that required real estate agents and brokers to disclose the Homestead Tax Credit to homebuyers for each property subject to the credit.  The legislation also included a penalty for property owners who wrongly claimed the credit.

STATUS:  Legislation passed with a penalty for homeowners who willfully misrepresent facts in order to claim the credit.  The legislation does not require real estate agents to disclose the credit.

Foreclosures

A Task Force met last summer to discuss several issues related to foreclosures, including changes to the mediation program, property registration, and the creation of a safe harbor for licensed real estate agents who assist clients applying for short sale approvals.  Legislation was introduced to require only mediation changes and the property registry.

STATUS: Legislation passed that creates a process to allow pre-foreclosure mediation, and a statewide registry of foreclosed properties.

Ground Rents

The Maryland Court of Appeals also ruled that a state law penalizing ground rent owners was unconstitutional.  That law required ground rent owners to register the ground rent with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) or forfeit fee simple title.  The Legislature considered legislation to create a more appropriate penalty for failing to register a ground rent with SDAT.

STATUS: Legislation passed that penalizes ground rent owners who fail to register a ground rent by prohibiting them from filing a lien or collecting rent.

Interest Rate on Security Deposits

Currently, property owners are required to return a security deposit to a tenant with at least a 3% annual interest rate.  Unfortunately, most savings and checking accounts are well below 3% and have been for a long time.  MAR supported legislation to require a security deposit to be returned to a tenant with the higher of a 1.5% flat rate, or a rate comparable to the U.S. Treasury Daily Yield Curve Rate as measured by the first of the year.

STATUS: This legislation did not pass.

Bank of America is set to roll out a new short sale process designed to reduce the approval process to 20 days. These changes are so extensive that the Equator platform will be down for 10-12 hours during the overnight hours starting Friday, April 13.

If you’ve submitted a short sale with Bank of America, you must complete the following tasks by midnight April 12th or risk having your file declined:

• Submit Short Sale Offer
• Upload Offer Documents
• Upload Supporting Documents in Equator

Short Sales Offers must include the following 5 documents:

• Purchase Contract including Buyer’s Acknowledgment and Disclosure

• HUD-1

• IRS Form 4506-T

• Bank of America Short Sale Addendum

• Bank of America Third-Party Authorization Form (NEW FORM)

Links to these documents and other vital information is available at the Bank of America Short Sale Resource Center.  CLICK HERE- Bank of America Resource Center

All email communications between Bank of America and listing agents will occur in Equator. Email notifications will be sent to alert the listing agent when a message is waiting in their Equator mailbox.  It is recommend that brokers obtain their sales associates’ logins/passwords to ensure the short sale transaction proceeds smoothly if a listing agent changes brokers.

New Deadlines. On April 14^th, Sellers/agents must submit a counteroffer in Equator within 5 days compared to the previous 14 days. Bank of America is limiting prospective buyers to two counteroffers and responses will be given within three days.

Bank of America has provided a webinar explaining the new process- CLICK HERE to view webinar

House Bill 87, Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2012, if passed will impact the recording taxes on commercial transactions starting July , 2012.  More specifically, the budget bill proposes revisions to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Tax- Property Article 12-105 (f).  Recordation tax would apply to Indemnity Mortgages (including Deed of Trusts “IDOTs”) or other security interest in real property that secures a guarantee of repayment of a loan for which the Guarantor is not primarily liable.  Recordation taxes will apply in the same manner as if the guarantor where primarily liable for the guaranteed loan. This revision in the code to recordation taxes, however, will not apply to an indemnity mortgage that secures a guarantee of repayment of a loan for less than $1,000,000.

For a full text of House Bill 87,

mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/hb0087.htm

Stay tuned…Lakeside Title Company will update you as to this and any other legislative changes enacted which impact our industry.

Yes, the answer is simple.  The “enhanced” policy (also referred to as “gold”, “eagle”, and  “advantage”) offers essential additional coverage not found in a standard owner’s policy.  The enhanced policy (ALTA Homeowner’s Policy) includes additional coverage for an improved residential property including some post -settlement/post-policy events.

To highlight a few:

-Someone claiming rights to your property arising from forgery or impersonation even post policy.

-Policy will insure you forever during your ownership and also insures anyone who inherits your property upon death and the trustee of a trust to whom you transfer title after policy issued.

-Includes built in inflation protection—the policy amount will increase by ten percent each year for the first five years up to 150% of the original policy amount.

-Protects owner from loss due to encroachments of their building structure (other than boundary walls and fences) over property lines and against loss due to encroachments of neighbors’ building structure (other than boundary walls or fences) built post-policy and without your consent.

These are just a few examples of enhanced coverage; for a more comprehensive list please see (link) to our website “What does title insurance cover? Basic vs. Enhanced Compare the Coverage”.

Please note, the usual and customary title search will be conducted;   accordingly, an adverse matter discovered may be noted on title commitment and included in final title policy as an exception. I encourage purchasers to review and ask questions regarding their proposed title policy.  The underwriting attorneys and marketing representatives at Lakeside Title Company are always willing to answer your questions.

The Court of Appeals of Maryland recently reviewed the on-line Registry of Ground Leases system and ruled the failure to register a ground rent with the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT) prior to September 30, 2010 will not result in the extinguishment of  an owner’s ground rent interest.  Therefore, if a leasehold property is being transferred, settlement companies will continue to locate the holder of ground rent even if the ground rent holder failed to register with SDAT.  In the cases where the title company is unable to identify and locate the holder of a ground rent, closing agent will collect escrow funds from the Seller in an amount equivalent to three years ground rent plus $500.

Please note, the Maryland on-line Registry of Ground Leases still serves as a great resource to indentify and locate an owner of a ground rent.  One can inquire by conducting a Real Property Data Search on SDAT and clicking on the “Ground Rent Registration” tab.   A  ground rent tenant  still has the right under Maryland statute to redeem his or her ground rent  in order to obtain fee simple title.

Please do not hesitate to call one of the attorneys at Lakeside Title Company if you have specific questions as it pertains to your settlement.

CLICK HERE

http://www.sarasotahomesforsalenow.com/sarasota-real-estate-scam/

You will see that the scam was reported by a general counsel for a Remax in the NW region and all of these sites report similar scams :

http://www.trulia.com/profile/paulettejonesrealtor/qanda/ , https://point2.zendesk.com/entries/218728-real-estate-scam-using-pt-2-to-find-agents , http://activerain.com/blogsview/1930492/scammers-or-legitimate-buyers- and at http://activerain.com/blogsview/1770880/scam-to-buy-expensive-home-from-masaaski-sasamoto