| Disclosures in Residential Real Estate Transactions |
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| One of the biggest decisions in a person's life is the decision to buy real estate. The excitement often associated with the purchase of a new home can be overshadowed by disappointment once the newness wears off and defects become apparent. Generally, the rule of "caveat emptor" -- buyer beware -- requires the buyer to conduct a reasonable inspection of the premises to discover defects and imperfections. More... |
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| Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act |
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| In 1968, Congress enacted the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C.S. § 1701 (1998). In enacting the law, it was Congress' purpose to eliminate fraud in interstate sales of land. Briefly stated, the law requires certain disclosures in connection with the sale of vacant land. Despite numerous challenges since its enactment, the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act has passed constitutional muster.
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| Mechanic's Liens |
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| A mechanic's lien, also known as a materialman's lien or a construction lien, is a mechanism whereby contractors involved in the process of making improvements to real estate secure payment for their services and materials. More... |
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| Types of Tenancies |
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| Usually, when one thinks of the relationship between a landlord and a tenant, what comes to mind is a lease agreement between the parties where the tenant agrees to stay in the leased premises for a specified period of years and pay an agreed upon rent for the privilege of doing so. In actuality, the scenario described above is just one type of tenancy, a tenancy for years. The types of landlord/tenant relationships are as follows: More... |
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| Percolation Tests |
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| A percolation test, or "perc test," is performed on undeveloped land in order to determine whether the land is absorbent enough to support the installation of a septic system. Typically, the test is performed by a hydraulic engineer. More... |
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