In residential real estate transactions, the closing is always the light at the end of the tunnel. Getting to closing can have its challenges. Sometimes a transaction doesn’t make it there. The phrase “fell out of escrow” can mean a welcome bargain for a buyer who can...
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Law Firm
Residential Real Estate
Selling a house with a lien
Where real estate is concerned, you may have heard that it’s a “seller’s market” right now. You’re ready to pack up the homestead, make the sale, take the money and travel. First, however, you have to solve a problem: There’s an old lien sitting on the title of your...
Why do buyers have to pay for two title policies on a home?
Real estate in New York often comes with a significant price tag. Even properties in mediocre condition can command a premium price because of their locations. You may have to push to the very edge of your budget to make a successful offer on a home. Unfortunately,...
Should you sell your current home before buying a new one?
Homeowners who are looking to move often run into a complicated problem. If they buy a home before selling their own, then they have two mortgages. This may be unaffordable for them, even though they easily could have afforded either one of those mortgages on their...
Should you sell your home to a house flipper?
House flipping has become increasingly popular in recent years – especially in healthy real estate markets. A house flipper may or may not be a real estate agent. They are often people who make their living from buying “unique fixer-upper opportunities,” for a low...
Due diligence is critical before buying a home
Buying a home is a major investment. It’s on that shouldn’t be done without taking the time to review vital aspects of the purchase. There are several things that you have to consider before you sign the closing documents. By doing your due diligence on a home before...
What is a short sale of a home?
Trying to find the house of your dreams is often challenging, especially when the market in your area is a seller’s market. As you’re checking out listings, you may notice that some are being sold as short sale properties. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to get...
Should you let the seller stay in your new home after closing?
Real estate in New York has always commanded a premium price compared with other markets. Buyers often have to pay more and make more concessions to become homeowners in New York City. Even if the market has cooled off slightly in recent weeks, demand for housing...
Should you have deal-breakers when you’re buying a home?
When you set out to buy a home, you probably have a list of must-haves. These are just the things that the home needs for you to consider it. But should you have an opposite list, as well? Do you want to consider things that are deal-breakers, issues that mean you'll...
Do real estate agents have to disclose nearby sex offenders?
If you’re looking at a home to buy, you’d likely want to know whether a convicted sex offender was living in the neighborhood. However, many potential buyers don’t think to ask either their real estate agent or the seller’s agent about that. Are real estate agents...

