Category: Real Estate / Property

  When two or more people acquire title in real or personal property (other than in an entity such as a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company), they too often give little thought to the type of ownership.  The consequences can be dire.   There… Continue reading →

Congress and President Obama have recently extended and modified the “first-time” homebuyer tax credit.  The new credit is broader in scope than the previous credit, and now, in addition to the first-time homebuyer credit, there is also a “long-time resident” buyer credit.   For the… Continue reading →

It is commonplace for landlords to ask for and obtain guaranties of their tenant’s lease obligations.  Such guaranties are useful to almost all landlords, whether the lease in question is for a large commercial space in a shopping center or is a much smaller transaction,… Continue reading →

  Many commercial leases provide for rent escalation clauses based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index.  If you are facing a rental increase and would like us to check your landlord’s math, and otherwise check to ensure that he is abiding by the provisions… Continue reading →

  Clients frequently approach us regarding obtaining a right of way over a neighbor’s property or, alternatively, dealing with a neighbor who seeks a right of way over the client’s property.  Sometimes these agreements are for vehicular or pedestrian access, a true “right of way.”… Continue reading →

     On July 1, 2009, a new law entitled the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act will take effect.  The Act is designed to protect against several abuses that some home improvement contractors have inflicted on innocent consumers.  The Act as a whole does three… Continue reading →

  Recently we sent out a notice to clients and friends of the firm setting forth the deadlines for appealing your real estate tax assessments.  The deadlines for filing a reassessment petition are as follows: County                                         Filing Deadline Bucks                        … Continue reading →

Renovating Your Home?  Get a Contract in Writing! So you are you considering adding a master bedroom, building a new garage, perhaps a new in-law suite or a finished basement? You have financing in place, and you have met a contractor that you like and… Continue reading →

We recently reported on the “standard” mortgage contingency clause which the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (“PAR”) has promulgated in its form residential agreement of sale which is used widely.  The form provides that if the mortgage contingency fails, it is the seller, not the buyer,… Continue reading →

The financial chaos which is afflicting us will one day pass.  There are so many measures being taken to bolster the economy in general and the housing industry in particular, that it is inevitable that circumstances can only improve (don’t ask when!); and buyers will… Continue reading →