In early February 2020, New York regulators announced they were eliminating rental brokerage fees, drawing both applause from tenant advocates and condemnation from the real estate industry. The ruling stops the practice of renters paying broker fees, which in places like New York City, can be up...
New York City is an appealing place to live. It is vibrant, there is always something to do or see, and it is a mecca for many industries like technology, finance, and media. If you are considering moving to the city that never sleeps, you will be joining 8.6 million other New York City residents...
A Oneida landlord has been accused of discriminating against a tenant with mental disabilities by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As we have previously written about, it is illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants based on a variety of protected classes of peop...
When the last economic recession hit the United States back in 2009, the impact was felt hard in the state of New York. As a result of thousands of people falling behind on their mortgage payments, foreclosures spiked, creating “zombie houses.” Homeowners who couldn't afford their mortgages also ...
The coronavirus outbreak has had an impact on many industries in the US, and the construction field is no exception. Heavily populated areas like New York City have been hit especially hard, as they're now facing major delays and rapidly increasing costs any time they're relying on China for manu...
If you are thinking about renting out that apartment you have outgrown here in New York, there are several important considerations you should mull over before deciding to take the plunge. Being a landlord is not for the faint of heart. Being a Landlord is a 24/7 Job Being a landlord doesn't me...
Every landlord in New York has probably heard of or is familiar with the Fair Housing Act (FHA). You may think that having a basic understanding of FHA is good enough, but to make sure you are never sued for violating FHA laws, there are several things you should know about FHA to protect your pr...
New York City is famous (or infamous – depending on your perspective) for its rent control and rent regulation laws. There is a fine balance between making the city affordable versus profitable, and everyone has their own opinion on the matter. But the fact is this: for people to stay in New York...
We recently discussed what mandatory foreclosure settlement conferences are in New York. They are a last attempt to help you preserve your home and avoid foreclosure. The types of settlements that can be discussed at these conferences include short sales, deed in lieu of foreclosure, and loan mod...
The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which was signed into law in New York in June 2019, has led to the number of eviction cases filed by landlords to plummet. The new laws were designed to limit legal rent increases for rent-regulated apartments. Eviction cases involving non...
Has your mortgage lender filed a foreclosure action against you? If so, then in the State of New York, the law requires settlement conferences where you and the lender can try to work out a settlement in lieu of foreclosure. This is New York's way of giving you one last chance to avoid losing you...
Loan modifications are an alternative to foreclosure. It can help you keep your home and get back on track. For most loan modifications, the reason for the request is economic hardship. You have lost your job or have experienced a medical condition or illness that has put you in serious debt. Wha...
When people or entities purchase condominiums or cooperatives in New York, they usually receive a large document known as an offering plan. This document can be as long as 500 pages in some cases. That alone makes an offering plan daunting and intimidating. This offering plan, however, should not...
Loan modifications are a means to avoid foreclosure and helping homeowners to continue making timely mortgage payments. Loan modifications are useful because they can result in modifications that extend the loan period, lower the principal amount or the interest rate, or change the loan from a va...
Buying a home is – for most Americans – the single largest investment most people make in their lifetimes. As such, they want to protect this investment against things like extreme weather, theft, or fire. For many new homebuyers not represented by a real estate attorney, they fail to go beyond a...
Buying or selling a property is an important transaction that implicates many legal issues. Nassau County real estate attorneys are familiar with New York property laws, know what types of pitfalls can arise during a real estate transaction and can take steps to protect your rights during the transaction. Here are five primary benefits of hiring a Nassau County real estate attorney for your transaction.
Foreclosures are never easy, and some are conducted improperly. When that happens (or even when it doesn't), some former homeowners refuse to leave the property and want to keep fighting for their homes. That's understandable – it's their home after all – but is it legal in New York? Or can the n...
The foreclosure proceeding in New York may or may not have already been started, but if it hasn't, then you are well aware it is imminent. The foreclosure has likely started due to the nonpayment of the mortgage, and that means you may be experiencing financial hardship, but you may also want to ...
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is important to know what defenses can be used when an eviction action is started due to failure to pay rent. Sometimes these actions are necessary and reasonable, but other times they are not. Here's what to know if you are a landlord in New York and in...
In New York (as elsewhere in the United States), discrimination in housing is unlawful. Federal, state, and local housing laws work to ensure housing opportunities are fair and equal. This doesn't mean just anyone can get housing, but the process and requirements must be fair and applied the same...
Pets are great and New York City is home to hundreds of them. In fact, in 2017, the Animal Care Centers of New York City released a press release that New York City pet adoption rate was the highest in the nation. The first pet of preference is a dog. But dogs can be noisy. They can bite. They p...
Facing a foreclosure is something nobody wants. You are still liable for the mortgage in the meantime. The process is long and emotionally traumatizing. To be frank, a foreclosure is also just plain embarrassing. It gets published. Anyone has access to it. Not that any of that should matter, but ...
Are you selling a home – like a condo, co-op, or townhome – and looking to purchase a new home? What happens in those instances where you sell the old home before you can move into your new home? Or what if you sell your old property and purchase a new home but need to make renovations before you...
In the last blog, buyer mistakes are identified and briefly discussed. Here, mistakes made by New York real estate sellers are laid out. It is always important to be aware of these types of mistakes so that you – hopefully – don't make them on your own. But that's also why having an experienced, ...
"We understand that a real estate transaction is typically one of the largest financial transactions of most peoples lives. That is why we take the time to properly guide you and keep you informed about the process every step of the way."
