And now, the Common Level Ratio for Allegheny County is . . .

No. 870

The Dog Days of Summer came early;

Temperatures will be in the upper 90’s all week; and

The annual Common Level Ratio computations from the State Tax Equalization Board have been announced.

Allegheny County stands still at 1.17. That means that there has been only a 17% increase in the median sales price of real estate since 2002, when the ratio between land sale prices and assessed value was 1.0 by definition. More importantly, the median sales price did not increase over the prior year. Of course, since the 2012 assessments (except in rare occasions) were unchanged over 2010, that meant that sales prices have not advanced at all.

Of course, that is no consolation to those who saw their 2013 assessed values double, triple or more. If that is your condition, hopefully you appealed. Here are the numbers throughout the State.

Category: Property Assessments, Real Estate, Reassessment 2012

Birthday Greetings

No. 869

I received birthday emails from the following well-wishers, among others:

– The Blood Bank

– My University Alumni Association

– The place where I buy shoes

– A local restaurant

– The Pennsylvania Association of Notaries

CLT

Category: Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

Is this How It All Began?

No. 868

Category: Screenshots!

Holiday Screenshot.

No. 867

Category: Screenshots!

Heavy Holiday Traffic on Grant Street.

No. 866

You would never have thunk it, but the days leading up to the Fourth of July, saw long waiting times at the Department of Court Records (both offices) and the Department of Real Estate. Many of the clerks behind the counters were off, causing delay.

And, of course, there is no motions court in the afternoon during the Summer. The best solution is to arrive early.

CLT

Category: Holidays

The Most Outstanding Presidential Resume Ever.

No. 865

What President of the United States had perhaps the most outstanding resume? No, not Obama — not even close. George H. W. Bush, who was Ambassador to China and Director of the CIA, as well as a decorated war hero, ranks high. So do Jefferson, Madison and the two Adams Presidents. Garfield was an outstanding overachiever, too. In the 20th Century, Wilson, Taft and Hoover had outstanding and varied credentials. But there is one President who, literally, did it all. Consider these qualifications, not listed in order:

– War Veteran (Volunteer)

– Graduate of Dickinson College

– Lawyer

-Member, State Legislature

– Member, U.S. House of Representatives for ten years

– United States Senator for 12 years

– President, Board of Trustees, Franklin & Marshall College

– United States Ambassador to Russia

– United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom

– United States Secretary of State

– Negotiated several of the Most Important Treaties in American History

– Turned down offer to become an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court

And, of, course, the crowning achievement,

– Fifteenth President of the United States, James Buchanan.

CLT

Category: Great Lawyers, The continuing American Revolution

Screenshot: Thanks, Law is Cool.com

No. 864

Category: Humor and Satire, Screenshots!

An Encounter with the World’s Worst Liar.

No. 863

I came out of the bank this afternoon and beheld a Lexus backed into my rear bumper with its owner closely peering at the damage. I had been in the bank for quite a while but came out to get my phone at just the right moment.

at that point, the other driver had the audacity to accuse me of backing into his car. He said he remembered the space I was occupying was empty when he drove in. I told him that was quite impossible, since i had been inside for at least a half-hour and had driven through the empty space his car was now occupying. I also pointed out that he was pointing the wrong way in a one-way driveway and that from the angle, he had quite clearly backed into the space.

He protested that he couldn’t have backed into me because he had a rear camera device that tells him when he was about to back into something. Later in the discussion he actually repeated this assertion, but I could tell he was beginning to realize that this was not helping his case.

As it happened, he had put an ugly dent in his bumper, while mine had narry a scratch. After a minute of thought, he quickly drove away.

I momentarily considered exchanging information. But I decided to let him go. He would probably try to lie his way out of the situation, forcing me to bring along three tellers and two customers as witnesses.

CLT

Category: Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

The Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk Blogroll Rocks!

No. 862

I added the SCOTUS Blog to the blogroll today. I should have done it a long time ago. It covers the United States Supreme Court like a blanket.You can find the blogroll down — way down — the left hand column.

Here’s a few other things going on that you might want to check out:

Nutmeg Lawyer: Lawyer Forces Wife to Eat Shoe. This is the kind of nonsense that you have to put up with when you read this blog. If it wasn’t so funny, it would be stupid! Actually, it used to be my favorite back in the days when Adrian posted every day. Now its only one of my favorites.

Chuck Newton Rides the Third Wave on Barratry. No, it has nothing to do with stomach shrinking surgery. If this word is not in your vocabulary, allow Chuck Newton to improve your education.

Lawyerist gives you something to think about if you are planning to go to law school. Look in the mirror and say: “If I can’t be a lawyer, I’ll die!” If you can’t convince yourself, don’t do it.

Third Chair Pittsburgh is a great place to get local lawyer news while being entertained. I’ve read every word they ever wrote. No kidding.

Time Management Ninja gives you 5 sure-fire ways not to lose your sunglasses. He missed one — don’t own sunglasses.

CLT

Category: Blawging

Supremes Dismiss Grant of Cert. on First American v. Edwards

No. 861

This case raised the question whether Article III of the Constitution permits Congress to authorize a statutory cause of action when the plaintiff has no damages. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, there is a prohibition against kickbacks, even when there are no damages.

Here’s what the SCOTUS Blog had to say about the surpass result:

“In First American Financial v. Edwards, No. 10-708, a case regarding Congress’s power to create private rights of action to enforce statutory rights, the Court dismissed the petition as improvidently granted. Thus, the Ninth Circuit’s decision holding that the plaintiff has standing remains intact. The Court did not provide an explanation for why the case was dismissed, and so we are left to speculate that the Justices could not reach agreement on the proper result.”

Here is an analysis of the ruling from SCOTUS.

CLT

Category: Consumer Protection, Real Estate

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Welcome

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.

Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

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

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