Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

Social media is not so friendly during a divorce

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

Facebook and other platforms no longer provide merely an outlet for individuals to express their highs and lows of the day, but they also offer a channel for societal change, tools for law enforcement and real-time industry trends for businesses. Perhaps you use social media for your business, but you may also use your Facebook page for your personal purposes.

After all, there is no social media without the social aspect. Most people use their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to connect with friends and family and to share the details of their lives. However, if you are going through a divorce, social media may not have the benefits it seems to have in other realms. In fact, it is wise to avoid certain topics altogether when you post on social media.

How to use an appraisal in a residential real estate sale

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in Residential Real Estate on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

Putting a home up for sale is not as easy as simply putting a sign in the front yard. Before a Pennsylvania homeowner can do so, it is important to carefully consider what the selling price will be. This is where a residential real estate appraisal can prove to be an invaluable tool.

Simply looking at how much the tax assessor believes the home is worth is not enough. The selling price of a home depends on numerous factors such as the current condition of the home, the current real estate market, the age of the home, how much comparable homes in the area sold for and are worth, and more. Obtaining an appraisal helps identify all of these factors.

Protecting your interests when dealing with construction defects

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Sunday, December 1, 2019.

When you buy a newly constructed property or you opt to contract with a company to build a new building in Pennsylvania, you know how much of a financial investment this process is. It is both costly and time-consuming to complete a construction project, and you rightfully expect all parties to do their jobs right. Sometimes, however, things go wrong in this process.

Construction defects can affect your bottom line and your use of your property. It is more than an inconvenience; it is a direct threat to your financial interests. In some serious cases, a construction defect can actually affect whether or not you can inhabit the space or use your building as you hoped. These are serious problems, and it is often necessary to take legal action to deal with defects.

Residential real estate matters: Title insurance claims

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in Residential Real Estate on Monday, November 18, 2019.

During the purchase of a home here in Pennsylvania or elsewhere, buyers are usually encouraged, if not required, to purchase title insurance. This insurance is designed to protect the homeowner from any title issues that may arise after a search is done and the residential real estate deal closes. However, if an issue does arise at some point in the future, that does not necessarily mean that the insurer will not attempt to deny or delay the claim.

For instance, if a homeowner somehow discovers an easement he or she did not know about prior to closing, it may be possible to make a claim against the title insurance policy. Before doing so, it would be wise to take certain steps. First, a look at the title search done during the purchase could let a homeowner know whether it was found during that search. If it was found, did it raise any red flags?

A modern parenting plan for a modern family

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Every Pennsylvania family is different, and what will work best for you and your children after a divorce depends on your unique circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to child custody matters, which is why many families are now opting to create their own parenting plan. This will keep your custody issues out of court while giving you more control over the final terms of the order.

Modern families are often non-traditional, or parents may have non-traditional work schedules. Most people now agree that it is best for kids to have access to both parents, and it is no longer the norm for the mom to have primary custody with the dad only having weekend custody. After your divorce, you need a modern parenting plan to suit the needs of your modern family.

Home inspection contingency in a residential real estate contract

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in Residential Real Estate on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Buying a house is one of the most expensive purchases most Philadelphia residents will ever make. For this reason, they need to make sure their purchase contracts include the right contingencies. The home inspection contingency in a residential real estate contract needs to outline just what happens if the inspector finds problems with the home.

The primary purpose of a contingency is to allow a potential buyer to back out of the deal if certain events take place. One of those contingencies that most people have in their contracts is for a home inspection. Yes, the provision allows the buyer to walk away, but it could also outline how any repairs would be dealt with if needed.

Negotiating for real property with uncertain ownership

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in quiet title on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

Many people in Pennsylvania think of owning a home as part of the American dream. For those who already own a home, they may wish to own other types of real estate property to provide passive or retirement income. Buyers often become so caught up in the excitement of this next chapter of their lives that they skip some of the due diligence or miss opportunities for negotiation.

One surprise that often comes up is uncertainty regarding who owns a specific property. If the property is listed as “for sale by owner,” the seller may disclose other potential owners that they no longer have contact with or cannot verify. Another instance where buyers may face uncertainty regarding ownership is when they find real estate property not listed for sale but wish to purchase it anyway.

Foundation problems and your commercial real estate decisions

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Are you looking for commercial space for your Pennsylvania business? Are you looking to expand your operations and buy a building? If so, you probably know how difficult it can be to find an appropriate space that suits the needs of your company while still fitting in your budget. Regardless, you do not want to rush through this process, even if you find a space that you think will work well for your needs.

Moving too quickly through a commercial real estate purchase or lease can lead to complications for your business down the road. Instead, you should be cautious and careful, taking time to ensure there are no problems with the building. This includes problems with the foundation, which can be a costly and complex problem to resolve.

Preparing financially for your post-divorce life

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Saturday, October 5, 2019.

Marriage is supposed to be a partnership, and you may envy couples who seem to be in perfect sync, especially when it comes to their finances. More often, however, one spouse may have better access or more control over the money, and the other spouse voluntarily relinquishes that responsibility.

If you are in this situation and your marriage is coming to an end, you may be justifiably concerned about your future. It is important that you discuss your goals with your attorney and take some critical steps now to protect yourself.

Religious exemption laws deny LGBTQ right to adopt or foster

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in family law on Friday, October 4, 2019.

When LGBTQ parents try to adopt or foster in Pennsylvania, they often worry about how their sexual orientation or marital status may affect the adoption. This anxiety is not without good cause. NBC News reports that LGBTQ parents suffer from discrimination sanctioned by the states they called home. This led to the American Bar Association taking its own stance to represent the rights of the community.

The ABA created a 16-page document to show that LGBTQ families across the U.S. should be guaranteed rights related to adoptions and fostering. It also addressed many of the state laws that now affect these parents’ ability to move through the foster or adoption process.