Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

Downingtown's real estate industry is controlled by a huge body of laws. This is because almost any real estate transaction invokes laws regarding civil rights, consumer protection, land use, and contracts.

Real estate law in Downingtown can be fairly complex, especially when it comes to things like mortgages and the resolution of disputes over construction defects.

Therefore, it's a good idea to learn some of the basics of Downingtown's real estate laws.

If you have even a little bit of basic knowledge of applicable real estate law, your life will probably be a great deal easier. If you have some understanding of the law, your knowledge will likely put you in a better bargaining position.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Downingtown

Financing: Most individuals are unable to make major real estate purchases in Downingtown with cash, because few people have that kind of money on hand. Thus, to buy real estate, most entities use a mortgage. This is a loan used to buy a piece of property. When the loan is issued, and the property purchased, the lender holds a security interest in the property until the loan is paid off, with interest.

Zoning: Zoning laws dictate what types of buildings can go on given pieces of property. These laws are generally designed to ensure that residential areas are as clean and as quiet as possible, thereby preserving property values. They accomplish this by ensuring that other uses that might be inappropriate in a residential area, such as heavy industry, are in different parts of town. This also ensures that industries will be able to go about their business without constant complaints from their neighbors.

Duty of Disclosure: Sellers of homes are bound by a legal duty to disclose defects in the home to prospective buyers, before they purchase the house. Any defect which the seller knows (or reasonably should know) about, and which cannot be discovered by the buyer through an ordinary inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.

Implied Warranties: In Downingtown, every residential lease agreement, whether it's explicitly stated or not, has an "implied warranty of habitability." This is a legally-imposed promise by the landlord that the rented dwelling (whether it's a house or apartment) is fit for habitation by humans. While there are many requirements for a place to be considered habitable, some of the most important ones are electricity, running water, heating, and protection from the elements.

Can a Downingtown Real Estate Lawyer Help?

The issues discussed here, along with others, can be complex and intricate. Therefore, if you have any questions on this subject, you should not hesitate to ask a Downingtown real estate lawyer.