Eminent domain allows the government to take private property for public use, provided the owner receives just compensation. While this legal principle is meant to serve public interests, property owners often find themselves at a disadvantage when facing forced acquisition. The process can be complex, and government agencies may undervalue the...
A recent homebuyer's guide recommended consulting with an attorney before closing on a real estate deal. That advice should be heeded for several reasons.
An attorney can review a purchase agreement for potential legal consequences. Often, a seller and/or the seller's agent might use a standardized form with fine print. Yet boilerplate language may fail...
Although making an "as-is" purchase may be a calculated risk in certain situations, an attorney that focuses on real estate law might caution against applying this approach when buying real estate. In the parlance of real estate law, such "as-is" language might be termed inspection and mortgage contingencies.
Of course, this advice might be easier...
Readers may not have known about an incentive home buying program offered by the city of Boston.
Specifically, prospective buyers who have completed two classes offered by the Boston Department of Neighborhood Development may qualify for financial assistance toward the purchase of a family home or condo. In fact, buyers may receive up to $20,000...
Does a first-time homebuyer need a real estate attorney? In Boston's uncertain residential real estate market, the answer might be yes.
According to data from the National Association of Realtors, the percentage of first-time buyers has dropped to its lowest point since 1987, at around 33 percent. Some commentators point...
According to a recent article, trends in the Boston residential real estate market are shifting. An attorney that focuses on real estate law can help individuals and entities adapt to those changes.
Specifically, one source characterizes the current residential real estate market in Boston and outlying neighborhoods like Allston and...
Housing co-ops and condominiums are attractive to many Massachusetts tenants for their convenience, shared approach to common maintenance and repair issues, and affordability compared to more traditional housing alternatives.
However, that shared ownership can also give way to disputes, as a recent pet ownership dispute illustrates. According to the story, the co-op board at issue...
