Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

Legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus.

1631 Posts and Counting

Docu-phish!

No. 1,333 If you have been involved in a real estate transaction in recent times you have probably used Docusign or some equivalent electronic signature software. It is a real estate agent’s dream.  They can obtain an electronic signature quickly and easily via the internet. However, a well-known app that can be used for legitimate […]

#Realty Auction Bidders Beware!

No. 1,246 Summary: If you are considering bidding on  real estate in a private auction, start by asking for the rules in writing and a copy of the agreement of sale that will be signed by the successful bidder. A sheriff sale is a forced sale for the purpose of liquidating a judgment held by […]

Trends in Real Estate Law: Cockroaches, Bedbugs and Other Creepy-Crawlies.

Up to now, we haven’t heard much about litigation involving the sale of insect/rodent infested real estate. However, the time is right.

At the moment, the Pennsylvania Disclosure Statement used in the sale of residential property, is somewhat limited. Look for that to change.

The Last Bastion of Smoking is Collapsing — the Home.

No. 1,107 The Allegheny County Housing Authority recently announced that it is banning smoking inside the building at 5 public housing locations. As the New York Times and many other publications have observed, this is a national trend. Of course, some residents have expressed outrage and disbelief that the Constitution does not protect them from […]

Real Estate Disclosure Law Does Not Require Disclosure of Murder-Suicide in the House to be Sold.

No. 1,085 Janet S. Milliken v. Kathleen Jacono et. al. , Pennsylvania Supreme Court, No. 48 MAP 2013( July 21, 2014) The Supreme Court stated the issue and holding thusly: “We are asked to consider whether the occurrence of a murder/suicide inside a house constitutes a material defect of the property, such that appellees’ failure […]

REAL ESTATE CONTRACTS: The Game of Offer and Acceptance: Getting the First and Last Move

No. 1,018 Hilliard Estate, 383 Pa. 63 (Pa. Supreme Court, 1955) Jenkins Towel Service Inc. v. Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Co., 400 Pa. 98 (Pa. Supreme Court, 1960) Mary M. J. Hilliard died owning a parcel of real estate.  She named Union National Bank and Thomas A. Robinson as executors under her will, giving them full power […]

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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