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Where do I begin the home buying process?

For the first time home buyer, buying a house can seem like an overwhelming process. A successful purchase requires several critical factors coming together at the same time. You will need to find your perfect house, ensure it passes inspection, negotiate to a price you can afford, and ensure your purchase agreement protects your legal rights. Our

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Do I need an estate plan if I am single?

If you are in your 20s or 30s and have yet to create an estate plan, you are far from alone. According to a survey from Caring.com, 60 percent of all Americans lack a will or other basic estate plan. While it may be tempting to put off making an estate plan if you are young or single, doing so comes with considerable risks. Every year approximately 150,000 die from unintentional injuries, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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What are my legal rights if the home I am looking to purchase is found to have a major defect?

Buying a home is a significant investment that you will want to enter into with full disclosure. As such, your home inspection will be one of the most critical components to the purchase of your new home. You will want to select a certified home inspector with experience and skill who will identify any areas of concern in the home. Your purchase contract should additionally protect you in the event a major problem is found.

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How might the new tax law benefit landlords?

As the new tax law takes effect, now is a good time to consider investing in the real estate market.  The new tax code has resulted in several critical changes in the real estate and business realm.  For starters, LLCs will now pay drastically lower tax rates, saving landlords that hold property in these entities money.  Further, as a reaction to the new laws and other economic factors, housing prices in some regions have dropped.  If you are considering
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What are my rights as a tenant in New York if my neighbor is excessively loud?

If you live in and around New York City, chances are you live in close proximity to others.  While some neighbors can become wonderful friends, we have all likely had at least one neighbor that caused us troubles.  Noise from a neighbor is a common complaint, and sometimes it will give rise to legal rights.  If you are a tenant plagued by an unreasonably loud neighbor, read on to find out more about your
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Will my homeowners’ insurance protect me in the event of an earthquake?

Last year, Americans watched as hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes struck parts of the U.S. and abroad, inflicting massive damages on homes and people caught in their wake.  These natural disasters have caused many of us to realize just how important it is to be prepared for the worst.

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What is a C.L.U.E. report?

Did you know that a 15-minute review of your driving record could save you 15 percent or more on your car insurance premiums?  While this may sound like a car insurance advertisement, our
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What are the benefits of a CCRC as opposed to assisted living?

Advances in medicine have led to people living longer and more independently even into their 80s and beyond.  New housing concepts have emerged to meet the changing needs of seniors, with one of the most popular being the Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC.  A CCRC is a retirement community that provides a lifetime of care, with housing options ranging from single family homes or condos with no assistance to full nursing care for those who need it.  CCRCs tout the benefit of keeping seniors living independently as long as possible, with a range of amenities and activities.  While CCRCs comes with many advantages over traditional assisted living facilities, you will want to thoroughly research this option before making the move.
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What are the advantages of a revocable trust vs. a last will?

Revocable living trusts and last wills are two commonly used estate planning tools.  Wills and trusts both have their place in estate planning, but revocable living trusts offer some benefits that a last will and testament cannot. Your ideal estate plan will depend on your goals and assets.  Our

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How might the new federal tax law impact my estate plan?

The new tax bill went into effect on January 1, 2018.  Several major tax provisions will change under the tax reform bill and these alterations will have an impact on the field of estate planning as well as personal taxes. Now is the time to review your estate plan, if you currently have one, to ensure it still meets all of your needs under the new law. If

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What should I offer for my new home?

Negotiating the purchase of a new home is an art.  As a buyer, when you fall in love with a home, your first instinct may be to offer full price.  However, jumping right to the list price, or even over, without any caveats may be selling yourself short.  Our

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