Real Estate Newsletters

A Neighbor's Barking Dog

The regulation of noise from pets is governed by state and local law. The laws vary widely and must be consulted individually for further details. Generally speaking, however, most localities have laws in place that set forth restrictions as to barking dogs.

Termite Inspections

In residential real estate transactions, it is not uncommon for standard contracts to contain a clause that makes the buyer's consummation of the transaction contingent upon the home passing a termite inspection.

The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act

Congress enacted the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). The law can be found at 26 U.S.C.S. §1445.

Trees -- Damage to or Destruction of by Persons Other than the Property Owner

A tree is owned by the property owner on whose property the trunk of the tree sits. When a property owner has an interest in a tree, the property owner has the right to recover in the event the tree is damaged or destroyed by another.

Wrap-Around Mortgages

A wrap-around mortgage refers to a type of loan transaction. With a wrap-around mortgage, a lender (often the seller of property) assumes or continues responsibility for an existing mortgage and makes a new mortgage for an additional sum which essentially "wraps" around the old mortgage, because the lender will make the payments on the old mortgage.