If a local zoning code does not protect the water view from your home from obstruction by the construction of a “McMansion”, can you turn to the federal courts for relief? A federal court ruled this summer in Puckett v. City of Glen Cove , 2009...

A federal judge has ruled against an increasingly common practice of real estate brokers in Vicki Busby v. JRHBW Realty, Inc. , 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41720 (N.D. Ala., Apr. 20, 2009). The District Court ruled that the charging of unearned administrative...

The obligation to mitigate damages for the breach of a contract is a staple of hornbook law. This obligation is so ingrained in our system of jurisprudence that most jurisdictions have refused to enforce contractual waivers of the obligation to mitigate damages....

A landmark case is defined in Ballentine's Law Dictionary as “A reported case of great importance in establishing a legal proposition of law.” While the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Virginia in Landmark HHH, LLC v. Gi Hwa Park, 277...

“How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!), The one with the waggley tail (arf! arf!).” Those were the words to Patti Page’s hit 45 single in 1953 about a woman who wanted to buy a dog for her boyfriend so that he would not be lonely...

In 1992, while many of today’s associates were preparing for a future of the Bluebook and Shepardizing by rooting for Emilio Estevez, as lawyer Gordon Bombay, to lead the Mighty Ducks to victory, the United States Supreme Court issued what was then...

Construction law is concerned with the relationships between construction professionals and property owners. Most laws governing construction are drawn from state statutes and cases. These state laws consist of construction-specific matters, such...

When real property is sold during the term of a lease, the rights and responsibility of the lease apply to the tenant and new owner; however, a foreclosure judgment will terminate the lease, particularly if the lessee is named as a defendant in the foreclosure...

There are many legitimate reasons- such as a bad credit report, unstable employment history or bad prior landlord references- for a landlord to reject a tenant, but a landlord may not treat a tenant differently based on any of the following reasons:  ...

Many homeowners receive solicitations to refinance their homes or to take home equity loans. The solicitations come in the mail, making it sound as if monthly payments would be greatly reduced and that the homeowner would be left with extra money to...

Home owners' associations ("HOAs") are usually non-profit corporations, set up to maintain a certain standard quality in the neighborhood. The aim is to keep property values in a condo building or subdivision as high as possible. HOAs are run like...

Robert Wagner, the heartthrob actor from the 60s, is on television promoting reverse mortgages. Surely, he does not need one. The question is, "Who does?"   Reverse mortgages present a fair deal to many, but not all seniors, who...

If a commercial borrower falls behind on commercial building payments, the lender can declare a default and foreclose on the property. The execution of a mortgage or deed of trust creates a security interest in the property that gives the lender the right...

Non-Conforming Use   Existing properties are often used in a manner that is inconsistent with a new zoning ordinance. Such uses are referred to as "non-conforming" uses because they do not "conform" to the requirements of...

In the Summer of 2005, the United States Supreme Court held in Kelo v. City of New London that local governments can take private property through eminent domain for the purpose of economic development and transfer ownership to other private entities...

Just starting out in the Real Estate field? A basic knowledge of the terms of art is key to impressing your client or managing partner with your ability to handle Real Estate matters competently. Read on for a quick primer!   Condemnation/Eminent...