Recent News

In Washington State, the county assessor values real property to reflect the property’s true and fair market value, in accordance with its highest and best use. The assessor bases the value on what a buyer in an arms-length transaction would pay for the property. The county assessor may use several different methods to appraise real… Read More

August 3rd, 2023 Beresford Booth attorney Per E. Oscarsson talks about the Washington Real Estate Excise Tax. Read More

Mortgages and deeds of trust often secure loans that provide for one or more advances by the lender. Depending upon the loan involved, the lender may be obligated to make the advance or the lender may have the discretion to make the advance. Typically, a mortgage or deed of trust has priority over most other… Read More

The state of Washington recently enacted the covenant homeownership account and program act.  The purpose of the act is to address the state’s “history of housing discrimination due to racially restrictive real estate covenants” of various types. Under the act, one or more special purpose credit programs will be created to provide down payment and… Read More

June 15th, 2023 Beresford Booth Lawyer Babak Shamsi discusses the joys and perils of community living. Read More

New legislation in Washington state drastically changes zoning for most single-family neighborhoods. This piece covers one of the most impactful statutes, House Bill 1337. In much of Washington, housing is expensive, and inventory is very tight. In response, the Washington legislature recently enacted HB 1110 and HB 1337. HB 1110 – discussed in detail by… Read More

At the outset of each lawsuit, the lawyers need to formulate a big-picture strategy. They need to then navigate the lawsuit using that strategy as a compass. But the devil is in the details – and the buck stops with the lawyers. A new case out of the Washington Court of Appeals, Spencer v. Franklin… Read More

June 8th, 2023 Beresford attorney Eli K. Yim discusses what you need to know about Deeds of Trust. Read More

Lawyers and parties involved in disputes should give careful consideration to whether a given strategy in seeking a resolution may give rise to criminal liability in Washington.  Specifically, beware of criminal liability for blackmail, or as referred to in RCW 9A.56.130, extortion in the second degree. But first, here is some interesting etymology:  Many hundreds… Read More