Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

Real Estate-Technical

Technical Real Estate Insight on the Issues that Move Value—Legally, Operationally, and Financially

Legal issues, valuation realities, operational pitfalls, and market shifts—explained in plain English.

Real estate isn’t just “location, location, location.” It’s contracts, compliance, conditions, valuation, and the little details that turn good deals into expensive lessons. My articles cover technical and legal issues, ownership and operations across residential and commercial property, and the market trends reshaping what works (and what doesn’t). If it affects risk, value, or performance, it belongs here.

Most deals don’t fail on the headline numbers—they fail in the details: condition, documentation, liability, tenant/legal exposure, and assumptions that don’t survive due diligence. I write about real estate the way it behaves, benefits, detriments, valuation methods, and the shifting landscape that changes your risk overnight.

Search Results

A Real Property Borrower Operates With No Skin in the Game

Maximum Leverage Can Be Beneficial or Can Be Used to Can Be Used to Transfer the Risk to the Lender

Construction Completion Loans Are A Good Business Strategy

“As-is” and “As-completed” Appraisals Are Required As Part Of The Underwriting

Lending On Owner-Occupied Commercial Buildings

Underwriting a loan comes with a few special issues to deal with

Non-Conforming Strip Retail Centers Can Be Prudent Investments

Private Money Lenders Save the Day

California Has Taken a Top-Down Approach to The Development Approval Process

Leaving Local Municipalities with Only Ministerial Approvals

Some Borrowers Intentionally Withold Material Facts

During The Loan Submittal Process

Honey, It’s My House, Too; I Didn’t Think You’d Mind!

A real-life example of a husband intentionally deceived his wife

Private Money/Hard Money Real Property Loans

A list of good reasons to switch to a private money lender

Condo and Multifamily Inspection Laws: California 2024

And the requirements to make recommended upgrades

How To Evaluate Real Estate Lending Deals

A Step By Step Process With Dan Harkey

Episode 5: Unlocking Private Money Secrets with Dan Harkey – What Every Investor Should Know!

A great conversation with Dan

Legal vs Equitable Ownership in Real Property

As It Relates to a “Due On Encumbrance” Provision In A Deed of Trust

Possible Actions Taken by Defaulting Borrowers

In Real Property Transactions

Appraisals: By Whose Standards Shall We Operate?

Or Is Their Wiggle Room in The Process For Future Development

Defaults On Real Property Loan Obligations

Understanding the Various Forms of Default, Part II of IV

When Real Property Borrower's Default

Understanding The Legal Procedures: A Key to Preparedness Party I of IV

Assessing Private Money Loan Transactions

Evaluating The Viability Of Approval and Closing

Environmental Hazards in Real Property

Serious Risks For Real Estate Owners, Tenants, Agents, and Lenders

The Rise of Zombie Tower Office Buildings

Office Building With Super High Levels Of Vacancies With No Improvements In Sight

Real Property Easements

The Purpose & The Risks