Latest Posts

Your Seller May Not Have a Dime’s Worth of Recourse!

Who remembers when the pages of the agreement of sale came sandwiched with carbon paper? For the youngsters in the group, I am talking about the days before computer generated forms and e-signature software. Believe it or not, offers were hand-delivered, as were the counter- offers and acceptances. Gas might have been cheaper, but one did far more driving… Read On

Communication Skills 202

A 100-level course on communication would focus on returning calls promptly, being clear and precise in all communication, and being accurate in grammar and spelling. It would include a section on social media and why one should avoid divisive and ideological discourse. This, however, is a 200-level course. Like you, I am a fiduciary to the clients I represent… Read On

The Difficult Client

A frequent subject of the Hotline is what to do about a difficult client. A recent call involved a seller who flatly refused to disclose a likely material defect with the property. I say “likely” because while the subject property had not been diagnosed with the problem, every other home built by the same builder in the neighborhood eventually exhibited a common structural problem… Read On

South Central PA home sales increase more than 5 percent in first quarter 2017

Median Home Sale Price Increases 6.5 percent ENOLA, PA (April 12, 2017) – The number of residential housing units sold in south central Pennsylvania increased 5.12 percent in the first quarter of 2017. According to the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service, 1,866 units were sold, up from 1,775 units sold in the first quarter of 2016… Read On

More on Certificates of Resale

The law is clear, and simple. In the case of a property’s resale, a certificate of resale and condo/homeowners association documents (the declaration, the bylaws and the rules and regulations) must be provided to a purchaser. The purchaser can terminate the contract before the documents have been provided and for five days thereafter (or until settlement… Read On

Seasonal repairs maintain home’s value

ENOLA, PA (March 10, 2017) – Winter can be tough on a home, causing seasonal damage that should be addressed in the warmer weather, according to John Esser, president of the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS®. “It’s important to do an assessment of your home after the snow melts and the temperatures begin to rise,” Esser said… Read On

Are you kidding me?

It has come to our attention from points across the state, that members are modifying the DEFAULT, TERMINATION AND RETURN OF DEPOSITS (Paragraph 26 of the Agreement of Sale) to provide for a return of buyer’s deposit within one day (yes one day) rather than the 180 days (by default) when there is a dispute… Read On

REALTORS® help clients reach their real estate goals

ENOLA, PA (Feb. 10, 2017) – Buying and selling a home in today’s real estate market involves dozens of steps to complete the transaction and a REALTOR® can help you navigate the process, according to John Esser, 2017 president of the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS®. “REALTORS® work through the real estate transaction process daily and know how it affects the interests of their clients and customers,” Esser said… Read On

Best of the Hotline

Q. I am listing a vacant lot, suitable for construction. The owner wants to impose limitations on how the property may be used, including restrictions on the type of construction of the improvements to be placed on the lot. How do I do this? A. You don’t. You tell the owner to obtain advice from an attorney who is experienced in land‐use law… Read On

South Central PA home sales increase more than 8.8 percent in 2016

Median Home Sale Price Increases 3.9 Percent ENOLA, PA (Jan. 17, 2017) – The number of residential housing units sold in south central Pennsylvania increased 8.8 percent in 2016. According to the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service, 9,951 units were sold, up from 9,145 units sold in 2015. In the fourth quarter (October-December) 2016… Read On