Deed Language Defines the Scope of a Reserved Easement
Under California law, a grant deed is generally understood to transfer the entire fee title interest in real property, unless it expressly states otherwise. (See, e.g.,…
HOAs vs. ADUs
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become popular during the run up in California real estate values. ADUs have been touted for several benefits, including increasing housing…
Is an Irrevocable License Binding on a Purchaser?
A landowner grants a license by allowing someone else to use the land. A license can be created by express permission, or by acquiescence (allowing the…
CC&R “Subordination” Provisions and Lien Priority
In California, priority between competing liens on the same real property is usually determined by the “first in time, first in right” rule. Under that rule,…
A Lump Sum Payment of Delinquent Taxes Isn’t Enough for Adverse Possession
As detailed in prior posts here and here, to establish a claim for adverse possession, a plaintiff must prove the following elements: Possession must be by…
Adverse Possession and Prescriptive Easements Are Not The Same
In our prior post — Equitable Easements and “Innocence” — we covered a portion of the California Fifth District Court of Appeal’s opinion in Hansen v.…
Equitable Easements and “Innocence”
Aside from an express grant, there are a few other ways of obtaining easement rights over property owned by another. One such creature is an “equitable…
A Prescriptive Easement Can Expand the Scope of an Existing Granted Easement
There are several ways to acquire an access easement over the property of another. The simplest method is by an express written grant from the owner…
Money and Dirt: Reviewing 2017
Here is a look back at some of the top real estate and secured lending developments from 2017 covered here at Money and Dirt: The 2016…
California Supreme Court Settles Split of Authority re Implied Dedication of Private Property to the Public
In a 2015 post on Money and Dirt, we reviewed a then-recent Court of Appeal decision, Scher v. Burke, and discussed the split of authority among…