Chad Older with Peak Settlements, LLC

08/31/2023

How do new real estate agents get pictures of themselves that are several years old for their business cards? Do they teach something in one of the classes about using old photos? (Says the guy who still has a picture of himself when he had hair as his profile pic)

06/27/2023

It is time FIRPTA ends for sellers buying in the U.S. I am meeting with a member of Senator Cardin's staff today to propose that FIRPTA be treated more like 1031. The money is held and then used to buy in the U.S. or sent to the IRS if the seller is leaving the Country. This should not result in any less revenue to the IRS (the same amount is owed, it is just less held by the IRS). It should help U.S. citizens that work in real estate (loan officers, movers, real estate agents, home improvement contractors, and, well, settlement attorneys) and should incentivize non-citizens to sell as well as pay more for properties they are buying. The IRS withholding is artificially changing the economics of the market. Please wish me luck.

02/05/2023

Did you know it was on this day in real estate history that the Emperor of China found the real value of title insurance when a group of invaders unsuccessfully claimed adverse possession of area where the Great Wall was built and insisted they owned it and had the right to build a parking lot (even though cars had not yet been invented)? The lawyers for the title insurance company won their case but did agree to a small payout to extinguish future claims relating to an outlot with a latrine.

11/16/2022

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted today to pass Bill 39-21, Taxation – Public Safety Officers – Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialists – Property Tax Credit, which would establish…

07/05/2022

Here is a good resource from WTOP for homebuyer assistance programs:

A D.C. area Realtors association released a guide on homebuyer’s assistance programs to help potential buyers navigate the region’s real estate market.

03/01/2022

Closing on Capitol Hill after work? Yeah, we can do that.

10/01/2021

No, it is true... I had thoughts on a subject and was willing to share them.... I guess I am a unique attorney.

‎Show So You Want to be a Real Estate Agent, Ep So You Want to be a Real Estate Agent Episode 56 - What Every Agent Needs to Know About the Settlement Process - Oct 1, 2021

04/02/2021

It was on this day in real estate history that Michale Knight, a man who does not exist (and was a loner?) found out the hard way that his homeowner's association did not allow people to work on cars in their driveway. He was forced to buy an 18 wheeler and make repairs on the move. The lesson: read your HOA docs before going on any crusade against people who operate above the law.

03/22/2021

It was on this day in real estate history when Helen and Stanley Roper realized why they should have used a professional to write a lease when their upstairs tenants started singing a song on the beach asking people to "come and knock on our door..."

03/10/2021

It was on this day in real estate history, where young Al Delvecchio found out that having a nice kitchen does not mean he knew how to cook. He went on to teach himself and eventually opened a diner.

02/28/2021

It was on this day in real estate history, local agent Sandy Sellsman, first devised the technique of ditching a buyer with bad credit by INSISTING they speak with a loan officer first. She responded to the buyers by saying "oh, I so wish I could have worked with you, darn those crazy credit bureaus."

02/16/2021

It was on this day in real estate history when Mrs. D. Fields and Mr. F. Amos had a listing that smelled like a cat. They decided to cover up the smell during the open house by baking but they could not agree upon the recipe.