What sort of licensing do you need in Massachusetts before renting out a residential property? What basic regulations do rental properties need to follow?
Who? Me? A Landlord? Real estate can be the key to financial independence and success. While TV might have popularized the “flipper” model of real estate transaction, in which infusions of cash and elbow grease transform run-down properties into glossy sources of resale profit, the old-fashioned practice of landlording is still an attainable, affordable, and […]
Protecting trade secrets when your team works from home
Any proprietary information that belongs to your business might be a “trade secret” or protected confidential information. Trade secrets are a type of “intellectual property” owned by your business and they are protected by law. You can require people who work for you to keep trade secrets confidential. Under federal law, a trade secret is […]
Tips for executing agreements electronically
Electronic execution of agreements is quickly becoming more commonplace in most businesses. But how can you obtain authorized e-signatures and be sure it is a sound agreement? Contract formation is generally governed by state law rules, and the requirements are similar for a virtually executed contract: The agreement must state that the customer consents to […]
Let’s Zoom: The legal challenges of the videoconferencing explosion
Videoconferencing isn’t exactly new, and many people have been using Skype or FaceTime for face-to-face conversations for quite some time. But it’s no secret that the pandemic opened many more businesses to regular videoconferencing through a host of readily available tools, including Zoom. What many business owners might not be thinking about are the possible […]
Sole Proprietorship: The Good, the Bad, and the Legal Reality
What Dreams Are Made of? Being your own boss is a dream for many. It is also a pleasant daydream to many more stuck in stifling offices or unfulfilling careers. In addition to freedom from an unsympathetic supervisor’s requirements, owning a business appeals to so many because of the opportunity for greater creative expression in […]
Why You Need a Lawyer for FSBO Residential Transactions
When It Comes to Home Sweet Home, Don’t Go On Your Own Owning a home is not just the dream of millions of Americans, but it is also the key to growing wealth. Purchasing a home is one of the largest expenditures most people will ever make, but it is also the largest investment they […]
Using Depreciation to Control a Loan Forgiveness Tax Surprise
Bonus depreciation and Section 179 expense can be a valuable tool to help you manage your business’ profit margin this year. Here are some thoughts to consider. The problem Many businesses struggling during the pandemic took out Small Business Association Payroll Protection Program loans (SBA PPP loans). The SBA’s willingness to forgive these loans is […]
Ideas For Better Savings Rates
Before the housing bubble burst in 2008, you could find high yield savings accounts that were paying rates over 5.0 percent. Today? These same banks are paying less than .10 percent. So where are you supposed to put your money? Is there anywhere else you can put your hard-earned cash and generate a modest return? […]
A Happy Banker Makes for a Happy Business
With the onset of COVID-19, small business banks are more nervous about potential loan losses than ever. Here are several tips for your business to maintain a great working relationship with your lender. These same tips can also be used if you want to plant seeds with your banker for potential future loans. Produce timely […]
Common IRS Surprises
No one likes surprises from the IRS, but they do occasionally happen. Here are some examples of unpleasant tax situations you could find yourself in and what to do about them. An expected refund turns into a tax payment. Nothing may be more deflating than expecting to get a nice tax refund and instead being […]
