Stoner Law Offices, LLC is a law firm based in Pittsburgh serving clients throughout the Pittsburgh Region and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our attorneys strive to help our clients with their legal needs by providing professional representation and advice, transparent, affordable and fair billing practices, and a commitment to customer service and client satisfaction.
At times, people realize they are in dire need of a real estate attorney in Pittsburgh. But there are other times when individuals don’t realize that they could benefit from the guidance of a lawyer. For instance, most people are quick to hire an attorney to file a lawsuit for a breach of contract. However, they don’t think to work with a real estate lawyer in Pittsburgh when purchasing a new home.
In reality, you should involve an experienced attorney in any real estate deal. No amount of research can protect you from all the potential issues that could arise from your investment. If you truly want protection, you need to work with someone who has extensive knowledge of real estate law in Pittsburgh.
There are several ways in which your lawyer will protect you. Specifically, you could benefit from working with a lawyer in all of the following ways:
All real estate purchase and lease contracts are legal agreements. As such, they usually contain pages of legal jargon that are difficult for most individuals to understand. All too often, people sign real estate contracts without knowing or understanding the terms.
Before you sign any contract, you should have it reviewed by a lawyer. This prevents you from being legally bound to an unfair or unclear agreement.
For a basic real estate transaction, a real estate agent can use a standard contract. They don’t need to have the years of education possessed by a lawyer because the matter is so straightforward. However, even the smallest complexity changes the verbiage in the contract. One missing word or incorrect sentence could ruin your transaction.
A Pittsburgh real estate attorney will write your contract in a way that protects you. They won’t leave you a victim of a poorly worded contract.
You can only buy a property from the legal owner of the property. Any judgments or liens on the property would put your purchase at risk. If you want to be certain that the seller is, in fact, the owner, you need to do a title search. But your search needs to be thorough and should be done by a Pittsburgh real estate lawyer.
If there are issues with the property, you have options. Your attorney will explain more about ways to resolve any claims on the property. Then, they might go through the required steps and obtain proof that the claims are resolved.
One of the more difficult parts of a real estate purchase is the closing. First, the closing papers need to be prepared. Then, the title needs to be transferred from the seller to the buyer. Upon transfer, the buyer must pay the remaining purchase price. There should also be a closing statement that includes details about all of the transactions between the buyer and seller.
When you work with an attorney, you can let them handle the closing. They will be able to answer any questions you have about the process and will give you peace of mind that your closing is properly done. Additionally, they have the ability to resolve any legal disputes between the buyer and seller.
If you’re planning on making a real estate transaction, it’s time to start searching for a real estate law firm in Pittsburgh. However, you should choose a firm with care. Ask them questions and do research. As you begin your search, look for all of the following qualities:
You don’t want an attorney who only handles criminal law to take on your case. Rather, you need a lawyer who has experience with real estate law. Find out what cases a law firm specializes in, and whether or not they have handled a case like yours.
Don’t be afraid to get specific. When you call a law firm, ask them if they’ve worked on a case similar to yours. It might be involving commercial real estate purchases, breach of contract, or any other issue. If the firm has taken on cases like yours, they are more equipped to obtain a positive outcome.
Real estate laws vary greatly by geographic location. In addition to complying with state laws, your transaction also needs to comply with local laws. But an out-of-town law firm is unlikely to have in-depth knowledge on your local laws. You can save yourself from a headache by working with a firm based in Pittsburgh.
For the best results, you need to work with a law firm that has good communication. Your lawyer won’t be the only one to communicate with you. Often, the secretary or paralegal will communicate with you via email and phone calls. Be sure to ask the law firm about their communication. If they demonstrate poor communication from the start, be wary.
You may be dealing with a complex legal case when buying or selling property. These cases may leave you with many questions about your property and how your lawyer can help your case succeed.
Fortunately, our attorneys are here to help. Reach out for guidance in a consultation, then check out our general questions about real estate law below as you wait for your appointment.
Facing a foreclosure due to missed or late payments can be devastating. This house may be your family home, after all. When this happens, you may have grounds to take legal action to protect your home.
Talk to our attorneys to determine whether you have grounds to determine whether the lender has the authority to foreclose on your home and your best options to modify your loan or stop the foreclosure.
Not all real estate disputes must go to court. Sometimes, the other party may be willing to negotiate with you. They may be just as eager to complete this transaction.
However, you need legal support when they are not willing to compromise. Your attorney can help you gather evidence in your favor, determine your best options for action, and take your case to court.
When buying a house, you may pay significant fees when closing your mortgage. However, these closing costs cover fees beyond your mortgage. These costs are typically associated with home appraisal or title searches.
Your costs may vary depending on your property's value, location, and other factors. Your attorney can help you identify how much these costs will add up to before you take action.
