Yet I've seen more transactions sour over one overlooked clause than over any market downturn. Few things cause more tension or financial pain than losing an earnest-money deposit because of preventable contract language.A client once came to me after wiring a six-figure deposit for a multifamily property. Financing delays meant the lender's appraisal hadn't come in by the contingency deadline. The seller claimed the contingency had expired and d ...

It sounds simple: form an entity, shield personal assets, and enjoy peace of mind. But after years of helping clients structure their portfolios, I've learned that while LLCs can protect you, they can also create unintended risk if used without strategy.I once represented a client who transferred a multi-unit building into a newly formed LLC the week after closing. The intent was smart — asset protection — but the execution caused problems. The p ...