How Can I Find Out If There Are Any Title Disputes on a Property Before I Buy It?
The last thing anyone wants is to purchase property and then discover there is a problem with or “cloud” on the title. A title dispute of any kind calls into question the alleged owner’s ability to actually convey the property and can lead to legal problems and lost money. Fortunately, performing...
Legal Options for Condo Fee Arrearage
Condo associations and trustees rely on unit owners to pay their fees so they can continue managing their communities and providing services. While some residents are occasionally late or miss their payments, there are often handfuls of owners who are consistently delinquent with their fees. What legal options do associations have for...
How To Identify and Avoid Common Real Estate Scams
Like any industry, real estate has its share of scammers and con artists. Scams have become more sophisticated over time as thieves work to take advantage of changing technology and individuals who are sometimes desperate to make a deal. Learning to recognize and avoid these traps is essential to saving you time,...
Condo Collections and Payments: A Guide for Residents and Boards
One of the most contentious aspects of the relationship between condo associations and residents is the payment of fees. Delinquent fees, non-payment, and other issues related to condo dues have been the source of many disputes and even court cases. However, fees do not have to cause such drastic problems between...
What Are the Liability Risks Associated with Non-Disclosure of Real Estate Problems?
Purchasing a home or other real estate can be exciting, but the process is fraught with potential pitfalls. The buyer and the seller are necessarily in adversarial roles. This means that while the buyer wants as much disclosure of problems as possible, the seller is likely to downplay or conceal issues....
What Should Be Included In a Lease Agreement, and What Are the Tenant’s Obligations?
Both tenants and landlords will ideally enter into a lease agreement that protects their rights and upholds their best interests in using the property. Whichever side of this relationship you find yourself on, it’s important to know both the basic elements of a lease and what the tenant is obligated to do...
How Do I Find a Good Real Estate Lawyer?
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, having a good real estate lawyer is essential. Sellers need to ensure they are abiding by disclosure and other requirements while buyers need their interests protected at all stages, from the initial inspection to the closing. There are many things that could...
What Must Sellers Disclose About a Property’s Condition?
Purchasing real property is not without risks, which is why the phrase “caveat emptor” (Latin for "Let the buyer beware") is still in popular usage today. Despite this, the law does impose a few minimum disclosure requirements on sellers to ensure the transaction is not unusually unfair. Whether you are the seller...
Common Sources of Conflict in Cooperative and Condominium Associations
Cooperative (co-op) and condominium associations are established to improve community life for all residents. But like any governing authority, there can be disagreements between those in charge and those who are subject to the rules and decisions. Conflicts may erupt over co-op and condo association policies, enforcement, and spending. Sometimes these disputes...
Selling a House During the Probate Process
When a loved one passes away, life changes dramatically for those who are left behind to grieve. An added challenge is ensuring that the estate is properly settled during the probate process. Selling the decedent’s house or other real property may be a necessary step to ensure that estate assets are properly...