Category: Real Estate / Property

Suppose you grant your next-door-neighbor permission to erect a fence across the property line on your property in order to accommodate a tree growing on the property line. Or suppose a landowner allows another landowner to use a private road across his property in order… Continue reading →

In Pennsylvania, title to real estate can be held by co-owners in various ways – as tenants in common, as joint tenants with right of survivorship, as tenants by the entirety and as tenants in partnership. We are commonly asked what the differences are among… Continue reading →

Few areas of law retain so many of the quirks from the law the American colonists brought over as the law of real property. Property law can be traced back hundreds of years, and many aspects of the law have changed little over the years.… Continue reading →

A recent news story indicated that complaints by homeowners against remodeling contractors were on the top ten list of most frequent consumer complaints. Our experience confirms this. Having been involved in many lawsuits between homeowners and contractors, we cannot overemphasize the financial and emotional difficulties… Continue reading →

When you drive an automobile in Pennsylvania, you must have car insurance. Upon starting a family, life insurance becomes an important consideration. Homeowner’s insurance protects your home and possessions against perils like fire, theft and natural disaster. But what is title insurance – and who… Continue reading →

Clients interested in selling an investment a property or a going business sometimes overlook the possibility of providing at least a portion of the financing in order to help the buyer “make the deal”. While seller-financing is sometimes not a good idea, there are many… Continue reading →

If your tree falls on your neighbor’s house, can you be sued? This is becoming a popular question in light of the recent harsh weather. The answer depends on your actions prior to the fall and the condition of the tree. Pennsylvania requires landowners who… Continue reading →

In mid-1997, the federal tax law changed to provide that a taxpayer may exclude from income up to $250,000 of gain on the sale of a personal residence. Under prior law, taxable gain could be rolled over into a new residence, with a corresponding basis… Continue reading →

One of the more common tasks we perform for clients involves the negotiation and preparation of commercial leases, including leases for office space, retail stores, warehouse space, manufacturing locations, and similar properties. The process involves communication with real estate brokers and direct contact with property… Continue reading →

   One of the costs associated with the purchase of a home in Pennsylvania is the imposition of the realty transfer tax.  In most cities, townships and boroughs within the Commonwealth, the realty transfer tax is imposed at the rate of 2% of the actual… Continue reading →