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Eminent Domain and the Public Use Doctrine

Eminent domain refers to the power of a government entity to take private property. The power can be used by the federal government in the name of a federal agency or a branch of the military services. A state, county, city, village, or town can also use the power of eminent domain to take private property on its own behalf or on behalf of an agency of a governmental entity. In all cases, the governmental entity may only exercise the power of eminent domain, also called condemnation, if it needs the private property for a public use.

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

Manufactured Homes

In years past, manufactured homes were referred to as "mobile homes," and, in fact, many people continue to refer to manufactured homes as such today. In the year 1980, the United States Congress adopted the phrase "manufactured homes" to describe a type of factory-built home that was required to conform to certain standards developed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Like-Kind Exchanges

Internal Revenue Code § 1031 provides the procedure for a little-used tax shelter known as a like-kind exchange. In essence, §1031 allows the exchange of business or investment property for other business or investment property of like-kind, with tax-deferral benefits.

Deeds

In order to transfer title to real property from one person to another, some type of written instrument is required based on a doctrine known as the Statute of Frauds. The written instrument that is most commonly used to effectuate such transfers is known as a deed.