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Federal Eyes on Real Estate: A 4-Part Insider’s Guide for Buyers and Sellers
We are pulling back the curtain on how — and why — federal agencies like FinCEN, the FBI, Homeland Security, IRS-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and CFIUS monitor real estate transactions in the U.S.Whether you're buying with cash, investing from abroad,...
Follow the Money: How the IRS Tracks Financial Crimes Through Real Estate
From Unreported Income to Shell Game Schemes — What IRS-CI Is Looking ForYour Closing Could Be an Audit Trigger — Here's How the IRS Sees It When most people think of the IRS, they imagine audits and paperwork — not criminal agents working alongside the FBI and...
Caught in the Crosshairs? What Triggers Federal Interest in Your Home Sale
The Top Red Flags That Could Invite a Closer Look from WashingtonCash, LLCs, or Land Near a Base? You Might Just Be a Target In today’s security-conscious environment, real estate deals aren’t just between buyers and sellers — they’re being watched, analyzed, and...
What the FBI, IRS, and Homeland Security Could See in Your Closing Docs
Your Closing Packet Could Be a Federal File — Here’s Why When you're finalizing a real estate transaction, your focus is likely on the price, terms, and closing date — not on what a federal agency might find in your paperwork. But if certain conditions apply, your...
Is Big Brother Watching Your Home Sale? What Buyers and Sellers Should Know About Federal Oversight
From anti-money laundering orders to foreign land purchase scrutiny, here’s how U.S. agencies monitor real estate transactions — and when it matters to you.If you're buying or selling a home, you might assume it’s a personal, private transaction — just you, your...
Coastal Closings: Navigating Insurance and Climate Challenges in MA & NH
Coastal listings are hot, but insurance and climate risks are heating up too. Here’s what buyers and sellers should know before they close.Whether you're dreaming of a Cape Cod cottage or a Portsmouth harbor-view condo, one thing's clear: coastal real estate is more...
New Hampshire’s 2025 Housing Market: A Seller’s Perspective
If you’re selling a home in New Hampshire, congratulations—you’re in the driver’s seat. The 2025 market has seen home values climb past $500,000 in many areas, with inventory tighter than a parking spot in downtown Portsmouth. According to recent reports from Zillow...
Top 5 Questions About Real Estate Closings in MA & NH Answered
Closings may sound simple (just sign and smile, right?), but the details can be anything but. Whether you’re new to buying or have flipped more homes than a pancake house, you probably still have questions. Here are five we hear all the time in both Massachusetts and...
Understanding the Proposed “Mansion Tax” in Massachusetts
If your clients are selling a home north of the $1 million mark, they may want to read the fine print twice. Massachusetts is considering a new "mansion tax"—a local-option transfer fee targeting high-end residential sales. While the name sounds exclusive, the impact...
Understanding Transfer Taxes (Tax Stamps) in Massachusetts
Understanding Transfer Taxes (Tax Stamps) in MassachusettsWhen it comes to selling real estate in Massachusetts, one fee tends to catch sellers off guard: transfer taxes, also known as real estate tax stamps. At The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C., we get...