Electronic Trespass

No. 1,270 If you would like to read a legal analysis concerning whether the producers of Pokemon Go are guilty of trespass to land or perhaps creating an attractive nuisance, click on this link to a blog called Associate’s Mind. It sounds preposterous, the idea that imaginary Pokemon animals are trespassing on land. After all, […]

Common Level Ratio Rises in Allegheny County

No. 1,267 The Common Level Ratio, established by the State Board of Equalization, increased from 1.09 to 1.15, effective tomorrow, July 1, 2016. This means that if a property is assessed at $100,000 and is transferred for lees-than-arms-length consideration, the realty transfer tax was formerly paid on $100,000 x 1.09 or $109,000. Now it is […]

Pittsburgh High on List of Places to Invest in Single Family Residences

Pittsburgh is tied for third highest cap rate for single family residences as investments among US cities. Cap rate is the ratio between net annual income and fair market value.

#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 […]

Is Real Estate Evergreen or a Phoenix?

No. 1,232 Summary: Some say that real estate practice for lawyers is making a comeback. Maybe it is. But a young lawyer taking up real estate practice should not be a one trick pony. I read a piece on the ABA Journal Web Site in which a legal recruiter stated that real estate transactional work, […]

Real Estate: Don’t TRID on Me.

If it applies to you, you have heard plenty about the the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID). Be advised that you will undoubtedly hear a lot more before August 1 — the day of implementation. And you have probably heard about the so-called grace period — whereby the feds at CFPB are giving lenders and closers a little bit of slack on the enforcement. Good luck on that.

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.

Link to CFPB Sample Real Estate Closing Forms.

No. 1,130 Here’s a link to the new sample forms promulgated by the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) for real estate closing disclosures that will be required for loans originated after August 1, 2015. If you are accustomed to using the HUD 1 settlement statement, you’ll find the essence of it integrated into the […]

Lawton Stokes: How to Maintain a Title Insurance Agency in Changing Times.

No. 1,129 You may have heard that things are changing big time in the residential real estate closing business. The operant words here are “big” and “business.” Closing residential loans has become a big business and those who handle closings of residential mortgages are doing it full-time on a large scale. While law firms are […]

Attorneys: The Law is Changing Regarding Powers of Attorney

The changes under Act 95 are too numerous and have too many new implications to be summarized here. Any attorney undertaking to prepare a power of attorney after January 1 should become familiar with the provisions of Act 95 before drafting.

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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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