Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

Johnstown'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 Johnstown can be fairly complicated, especially when it comes to things like mortgages and the resolution of disputes over construction defects.

Therefore, if you're planning on engaging in any kind of real estate transaction, it's necessary that you learn at least the basics of real estate law in Johnstown.

Having at least some knowledge of real estate law will be to your advantage in practically any real estate transaction. Knowing the law can give you a bargaining advantage and prevent you from being saddled with obligations that you don't have to assume.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Johnstown

Financing: Most individuals are unable to make major real estate purchases in Johnstown 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 control what types of structures can be built on given parcels of land. Typically, cities and towns are zoned in order to ensure that neighborhoods are clearly divided into residential, commercial, and industrial categories, to ensure that everyone who uses the land can make the best possible use of it, for their particular purpose

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 normal inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.

Implied Warranties: In Johnstown, every residential rental agreement carries with it a warranty of habitability, in which the landlord implicitly promises that the unit is fit for human habitation. This applies whether or not such a warranty is mentioned in the lease agreement, and it still applies even if the landlord tries to disclaim any such warranty. There are many circumstances that might make an unit uninhabitable. A few examples are a lack of electricity, no running water, or no heating.

Can a Johnstown Real Estate Lawyer Help?

These issues, along with many others, can sometimes be fairly difficult. Therefore, you should never hesitate to consult with a Johnstown real estate attorney if you have any questions.