Law Office of
Shopping Cart
Your Cart is Empty
Quantity:
Subtotal
Taxes
Shipping
Total
Jeanne M. Reardon
Jeanne M. Reardon
516-314-8433 | CALL TODAY
REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM
Serving Long Island & Greater New York
NOTICE: COVID-19 UPDATE, FIRM OPERATIONS CONTINUE UNINTERRUPED. WE ALSO OFFER CONSULTATIONS
BY PHONE OR EMAIL. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
Real Estate Law Blog
Real Estate Law Blog
Blog
COVID-19 UPDATE
| Posted on March 21, 2020 at 6:52 PM |
COVID-19 Update:
At the Law Office of Jeanne Reardon, the health and safety of our staff and clients is our top priority. Since you
rely on us for your legal needs, we remain
ready to help you in this difficult time as we face many health and financial challenges. Accordingly, we are taking a number of steps to minimize health risks during this health crises while serving our current clients as well as new clients coming on board. Our
law firm will be adhering to the guidelines presented by the Centers
for Disease Control and our local health officials, and we continue to
monitor them for updates as they are released. We have implemented a plan to protect the safety of our work
environment while allowing us to continue to service all of our clients. We are taking precautions with respect to
non-essential meetings and face-to-face interactions. That includes
telephone consultations and conference calls whenever possible. With respect to our real estate practice,
we will endeavor to utilize Powers of Attorney, pre-signed deeds, and Escrow Closings, where available,
in order to close title when the transaction permits us to do so. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or
concerns regarding your current real estate transaction or if you are just getting started and are looking to hire a real estate attorney for an upcoming sale or purchase of a home. As always, we are committed to
handling our clients' matters with the utmost care and respect, and are available to assist both current and new clients. We hope that you and your family remain safe and healthy! Jeanne Reardon, Esq. |
What does the "on or about" closing date in my contract to purchase a home mean?
| Posted on October 30, 2018 at 12:24 AM |
 The standard residential contract of sale used by attorneys
in the New York Metropolitan area will often state that the closing will take
place, for example, “on or about December 1, 2018.” In New York, unlike many other states, the
“Closing Date” contained in the contract, especially if the words “on or about”
precede it, is a fluid date. It is rare
that a closing actually occurs on the date specified in the contract. The
phrase “on or about” has been interpreted by the New York courts to mean that
either side has a reasonable period beyond the “on or about” date in which to
close. If all progresses on schedule, a closing can usually occur
within 60 days after the contract has been fully executed by the seller
and purchaser. However, not all real estate transactions proceed as planned. While many of the transactions do eventually
close (unless a buyer is unable to obtain financing or an appraisal comes in
too low), there are some that do end up in a dispute or litigation. If a party is unwilling to close within a “reasonable”
time after the closing date, many times, before litigation is commenced,
the attorney for the party wishing to close can send what is referred to as a
Time of the Essence Letter (“TOE Letter”) to the other party. That letter
will set forth a new closing date stating that “time is of the essence.” If the party receiving the
letter does not close by that date they can be declared in default under the
terms of the contract of sale. It is important to note that the “time of the essence”
standard is not a statutory standard but rather one established by the courts
and case law, and is constantly changing depending on each case that is decided
by the courts. While the courts are
silent as to what constitutes a “reasonable” time, many real estate attorneys
practicing in the New York Metropolitan area have come to a consensus that “reasonable”
is generally about 30 days. However, the
case law has explained that the other
party must be given a reasonable time in which to act and what amounts to a reasonable time to perform
depends on the circumstances of the case. Whether dealing with a TOE Letter or an “on or about”
closing date, the closing date and closing time frames can quickly change and
extend far beyond the “on or about” closing date depending on the
circumstances. |
Real Estate Contract Mortgage Contingency Clause
| Posted on September 30, 2018 at 5:50 PM |
 Most people obtain financing when purchasing a
house, condo, or co-op. In that case, the contract of sale will contain
a mortgage contingency clause making the sale contingent upon the buyer
obtaining a mortgage in a certain amount. If the buyer's loan
application is denied by the lending institution, the buyer can then
cancel the contract and get the down payment back.In
order to benefit from the protections allowed by the mortgage
contingency clause the buyer must strictly abide by all its terms, i.e.
the buyer must only apply for a loan in the amount stated in the clause
(or such lesser sum as buyer shall be willing to accept), and obtain
the mortgage within the time frame given in the clause. If the buyer
applies for a loan greater than the amount stated in the
clause and is then denied a loan, the buyer will have forfeited the
protection afforded by the clause and will not be able to cancel the
contract. If the buyer is then unable to obtain other funds to complete
the purchase the buyer will be in default under the terms of the
contract and
more than likely lose their down payment. On the other hand, if the
buyer is approved for a loan greater than stated in
the mortgage clause, then no problem. Nonetheless, I would never
advise a
client to take such a risk and put their down payment in jeopardy.
There are many reasons why the loan may be denied that have nothing to
do with the financial qualifications of the buyer and are beyond the
buyer's control. An experienced real estate attorney will help you
navigate through this process. The
mortgage contingency clause is there to protect your down payment
should your loan be denied. To best protect yourself when purchasing a
home with a mortgage, hire an experienced real estate attorney who fully
understands all aspects of the mortgage contingency clause and will
guide you through the entire closing process. To speak with
an experienced real estate attorney, call us at (516)
314-8433. To learn more about our services and how we can assist you, visit us
at www.jreardonlaw.com |
Why a Home Buyer Needs Title Insurance
| Posted on June 3, 2018 at 8:36 PM |
 Title insurance is crucial for a home buyer because it protects you and
the lender from the possibility that your seller doesn't -- or previous
sellers didn't -- have free and clear ownership of the house and
property and, therefore, can't rightfully transfer full ownership to
you. Problems with the title can limit your use and enjoyment of the
property, as well as cause you financial loss. This is why you need
title insurance. Your real estate attorney will arrange the process of getting you
title insurance soon after your Contract of Sale is signed. What Could Happen If You Don't Get Title Insurance? Title insurance protects against the following common hidden risks just to name a few:
Title Insurance: Lender's Policies and Buyer's Policies Title insurance is typically a combination of two policies: a
lender's policy and a borrower's policy. Your lender -- assuming you're
taking out a mortgage, will require that you buy a lender's policy (also called a
"mortgagee's policy") to pay for its legal defense costs and reimburse
any mortgage payments you can't make because you've lost the house to
someone else's claim on it. The lender may also require you to buy an "owner's policy," covering
your own legal fees and other losses, as yet another step toward
protecting the lender's collateral. Your title insurance policy
remains in effect as long as you, or your heirs, retain an interest in
the
property. Title insurance will give you the peace of mind in knowing
that the investment that you have made in your home is a safe one. The Law Office of Jeanne M. Reardon assists New York property owners with title insurance matters. To speak with
an experienced New Yorkreal estate attorney, call us at (516)
314-8433 or e-mail us. |
Joint Ownership of Real Property in New York
| Posted on May 13, 2018 at 6:21 PM |
 Joint
property ownership can be a great solution for people who want to own a home,
especially for first-time buyers. But joint ownership can limit your rights and
options -- not only while you own the property, but also when you want to
transfer ownership to an heir or another buyer. There are three major forms of
joint property ownership (or "concurrent ownership") -- tenancy in
common, joint tenancy, and tenancy by the entirety.Tenancy
in common (sometimes called a "TIC") is the most popular form of
concurrent property ownership. Tenants in common (or co-tenants) each own an
equal share of a piece of property -- whether it's a house, an apartment
building, or other type of real estate. This generally means that each
co-tenant has an equal right to possess or use the entire property, and that
the rent or maintenance costs of the property are shared among the co-tenants
according to their ownership interest. Each co-tenant also possesses a share in
the value of the property as it appreciates. Real estate owned by one or more
persons as tenants in common gives a percentage ownership to each person, and
upon that owner’s death, their percentage share goes to their estate. If they
have a will, it goes to the persons named in their will. If they die without a
will, then it goes to their legal heirs-at-law. With this type of ownership,
each owner has the right to transfer their share during their lifetime, without
obtaining the permission of the co-owner. If the deed is silent as to form of
ownership, then there is a presumption in the law that the parties own as
tenants in common. Any co-tenant has
the right to live in the premises without paying rent to the other owners, and
every co-tenant may be entitled to credits for items such as taxes, maintenance
and repairs. If the premises are rented to a non-owner, all co-tenants would be
entitled to share in the rent. A
co-tenant can transfer interest in a tenancy in common to another buyer or to
an heir -- via a will, for example. A co-tenant can also mortgage a share in
the property. What a co-tenant cannot do is transfer or sell the other
co-tenants' interests in the property. Once a co-tenant's interest in a tenancy
in common is transferred, the new owner steps into the shoes of the co-tenant
seller and becomes a tenant in common with the other co-tenants. Joint
Tenancy Joint
tenancy is sometimes called "joint tenancy with right of
survivorship." Joint tenancy ownership implied that a joint tenant lost
all interest in their property when they died. The deceased person's interest
was automatically transferred to the other joint tenant. Thus, in a joint tenancy, the last surviving
joint tenant owned all the property outright. If
you want to create a joint tenancy or take possession of property as joint
tenants, make sure that your lawyer or real estate agent is very careful about
the phrasing in the deed or will. In general, courts prefer very specific
wording that shows the desire to create a joint tenancy and the right of
survivorship and not a tenancy in common. For example, a deed or will
might include instructions that read "to A and B, as joint tenants with a
right of survivorship, and not as tenants in common." Sometimes,
under state law, a joint tenancy will automatically convert to a tenancy in
common. For example, if joint tenants die simultaneously, their property is
treated as a tenancy in common by the courts, for purposes of inheritance and
estate distribution. And if two or more people inherit property from a last
surviving joint tenant, they do so as tenants in common instead of as joint
tenants. Tenancy
by the Entirety The third form of ownership -- tenancy
by the entirety -- is only available to a married couple who owns a piece of
property together. The couple must be married at the time they
acquire the property and must remain married in order for the tenancy by the
entirety to be valid. If a married
couple divorce after taking title to the property as tenants in entirety, they
then become tenants in common. The deed should recite the names as
follows: “John Doe and Jane Doe, husband and wife” or John Doe and Jane Doe,
his wife.” If silent, it is presumed that a married couple has taken as tenants
by the entirety. Not
all states recognize tenancies in entirety -- but those that do often presume
that a grant of property to a husband and wife automatically creates a tenancy
by the entirety, unless some other type of ownership is specified. If a
different form of ownership is desired between a husband and wife, then it must
be specified as either tenants in common or joint tenancy with right of
survivorship. Under a tenancy by the entirety in New York State, upon
the death of one spouse, the other spouse owns the property free and clear of
any encumbrances that may have been caused by the other spouse. Thus, if one
spouse sells or mortgages the survivorship interest to a third party, the third
party will get only a contingent interest.
For example, where the husband conveys or grants a mortgage to a third
party, the third party will get nothing if the husband predeceases the
wife. It the wife dies before the
husband, the third party will own the property outright, or will have an
enforceable mortgage on the husband’s full fee interest. Neither spouse can disinherit the other
spouse by leaving the property to someone else in their will. The Law Office of Jeanne M. Reardon assists New York property owners with
strategies to protect and pass on their homes and real estate investments. To speak with
an experienced New York deed attorney, call us at (516)
314-8433 or e-mail us. To learn more about our deed transfer services visit us
at: www.jreardonlaw.com/Deed-Transfer.html |
Home Mortgage Refinance
| Posted on February 11, 2018 at 4:23 PM |
Standard Refinance A
standard refinance paying off an existing mortgage with the proceeds
from a new loan. In order to decide whether this is worthwhile, the
savings in interest must be weighed against the fees associated with
refinancing. Other reasons to refinance include reducing the term of a
longer mortgage, or switching between an adjustable-rate and a
fixed-rate mortgage. A
cash-out refinance
is taking a loan for more than you owe on your existing
mortgage. Your existing mortgage is paid off from the new loan proceeds
and you receive the balance of the new loan. You might do this
if you want to make home improvements or pay for a child's education.
Cash-out refinancing removes some of the equity you have built up in
your home. Closing costs are the fees paid when you close on a refinance loan. These fees may include
application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and
property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement
documents; attorneys' fees; mortgage recording tax; recording fees; estimated costs of taxes and
insurance; and origination, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the borrower receives a "good faith
estimate" of closing costs within three days of application. What is a New York CEMA? “CEMA” stands for Consolidation,
Extension and Modification Agreement. A CEMA allows borrowers to save on the amount of the mortgage recording
tax associated with the refinance. CEMA is a tool that
can help a borrower save thousands of
dollars in mortgage recording tax on the new loan amount. In reality,
rather than having the original mortgage satisfied and discharged of
record, the original mortgage is assigned to the new lender. The parties
execute a new mortgage for refinance closing costs and for additional
funds if it's a cash-out refinance, and an agreement which assigns the
original mortgage to the new
lender and consolidates the original and new mortgage into one mortgage.
The
borrower would only have to pay taxes on the amount of the new loan that
exceeds the unpaid balance of the original loan, such as closing costs
or cash out. Although it can be a lengthy process, a CEMA is well worth
the additional time as it can save a borrower thousands of dollars in
mortgage recording taxes which would otherwise be payable at closing. Contact our expert Long Island mortgage refinance attorneys today to find out how we can help you
save thousands of dollars in closing costs,
specifically mortgage recording tax, by refinancing your mortgage
with a Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement (CEMA). Our mortgage lawyers represent clients in all areas of New York ,
including all 5 boroughs of NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and
Staten Island), Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties),
and Westchester County. We look forward to helping you. Call us today at (516) 314-8433 or e-mail us. |
Will I Pay Capital Gains Taxes on the Sale of My Home
| Posted on November 26, 2017 at 5:50 PM |
 Will you pay tax on the sale of your home? Likely not, unless you
have gains that are more than $250,000 or more than $500,000 for married
couples. Old Rule: Until 1997, once you reached the age
of 55, you had the one-time option of excluding up to $125,000 of gain
on the sale of your home providing it was your primary residence. New Rule: Now, anyone, regardless of age, can exclude up to $250,000 of gain or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly on the sale of a home. That means most people will pay no tax unless they have lived there for less than 2 out of the last 5 years. Who Qualifies for Tax-free Gains When They Sell Their Home? To qualify for the capital gain tax exclusion on your home sale, you must meet the following IRS requirements.
You can use this capital gain exclusion to avoid tax on a home sale over and over. The Law Office of Jeanne M. Reardon
assists New York property owners with strategies to protect and pass on their
homes and real estate investments. To speak with an experienced New
York real estate attorney, call us at (516) 314-8433 or e-mail us. To learn more about our deed transfer services
visit us at: www.jreardonlaw.com |
How to Add Someone to the Deed of My New York Home as a Joint Owner
| Posted on November 26, 2017 at 5:04 PM |
 There are many reasons you may want to add someone to the title of your
home. Maybe you just got married and would like your new spouse listed as part
owner of your home. Or you may want to add an adult child to your title
for estate planning purposes.Whatever the reason, you will need to retain an attorney, experienced in
real estate, to draft a new deed conveying your home to yourself
and the person you wish to add to your title. In addition to the deed,
your attorney will also need to prepare transfer tax returns. While there is no
transfer tax due on conveyances which are considered gifts, (i.e. no money
given for the conveyance) the returns must still be prepared and filed with the
county clerk when the deed is recorded. Review your mortgage documents or contact your lender before initiating the
process to change your deed. If you transfer your interest in the property, or
a share of it, to someone else without the lender's permission, it may exercise
the loan's due-on-sale clause. Even if the person you're adding doesn't give
you money for ownership in your property, the lender still may view the
transfer of ownership as a sale and can demand payment in full. Depending on
your financial situation, this issue may cause you to reconsider making the
addition. If your mortgage contains a due upon sale clause, talk to your lender
about adding someone to your deed. Some financial institutions give consent,
allowing you to add another person to your property deed without requiring you
pay off your loan. How your new deed is drafted will determine your type of joint ownership. There
are three ways to take title to the deed in New York depending on the language
used in your deed, and they are as follows: (1) joint tenants with rights of
survivorship, (2) tenants in common, or (3) tenants by the entirety. Your
attorney can advise you as to which type of joint ownership is appropriate in
your case. The Law Office of Jeanne M. Reardon
assists New York property owners with strategies to protect and pass on their
homes and real estate investments. To speak with an experienced New
York deed attorney, call us at (516) 314-8433 or e-mail us. To learn more about our deed transfer services
visit us at: www.jreardonlaw.com/Deed-Transfer.html |
New TRID Rules
| Posted on April 2, 2017 at 10:30 PM |
 On October 3, 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new
mortgage disclosure law, also known as the TRID went into effect. TRID will
help consumers be more informed regarding the closing cost. Here are 11
things you should know about the new law: 1. Initial Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and Truth in Lending disclosure (TIL)
are now combined into one new form called the Loan Estimate (LE). 2. Instead of the old forms such as the HUD-1 and Final TIL we now have the
Closing Disclosure (CD). Most major lenders will prepare the CD for the
borrower; some however may rely on settlement agents. The new form will
describe the loan terms, projected loan payments, closing cost at closing, loan
features such as assumption, escrow details, borrower’s liability at
foreclosure and others. The Sellers will also have a CD statement. 3. The CD will be provided by the Lender to the consumer/borrower at least
three days prior to the scheduled closing date but can be waived if consumer
has a “bona fide emergency”. 4. The Lender will now provide the borrower with list of closing service
providers so that they can shop for services. 5. If the following changes occur then a new CD must be issued with an
additional 3 day waiting period:
6. Closing fees subject to zero tolerance unless otherwise excepted.
7. How do you determine what category you fall in?
8. Fees that can’t increase:
9. Any variation of the above must be refunded no later than 60 days after
closing. 10. Seller will receive CD by or at closing. This will be prepared by the
bank attorney in addition to the statement provided by the Seller’s lawyer. 11. TRID will not apply
to: HELOCS, Reverse Mortgages, Commercial Loans and lenders who make 5 or less
loans per year. The Closing process will be more organized, with all the numbers worked out
about a week prior to closing so there are no surprises on the closing day. |
Using a Quitclaim Deed to Transfer Property
| Posted on February 18, 2017 at 3:55 PM |
 I am often asked by clients looking to transfer property whether I will be using a quitclaim deed to complete the transfer. I tell my clients that in the New York Metropolitan area, the type of
deed customarily used to convey real property, whether to a third party
in an arm’s length transaction or to a family member, is a “Bargain and
Sale Deed with Covenants Against Grantor’s Acts.”A quitclaim deed must to used with caution and can be dangerous or beneficial depending upon whether you are the grantor or grantee. This type of deed conveys the interest you have in a property without
providing any warranties or guarantees about the interest you are
conveying. A quitclaim deed means
you are only transferring whatever interest and title you MAY have in the property, subject to
any claims which exist or may arise. It does not ensure good title as a
Bargain and Sale Deed with Covenants Against Grantor's Acts would. The New York State Real Property Law Sec. 258 recognizes several types of deeds to be used to convey real property. A
quitclaim deed is among the recognized forms. Nevertheless, the
customary practice among local attorneys in New York will determine the
appropriate deed to be used. While there is no case law or statute
prohibiting the use of a quitclaim deed to convey a home in the New York
Metropolitan area, its use would be unusual and could raise questions
down the road and therefore should be used only in very limited circumstances. Transferring title by a deed whether by a quitclaim deed or any other type of deed is a serious matter with numerous legal and financial consequences and should not be attempted without an
attorney. A deed may not be effective if not prepared properly
or executed properly. A New York real estate attorney can ensure that the
legal formalities required for deeds are met, and that you thoroughly
understand what the conveyance process entails. Once the deed is
properly executed, it must then be recorded in the public records of the county where the property is located. The Law Office of Jeanne M. Reardon assists New York property owners with
strategies to protect and pass on their homes and real estate investments. To speak with
an experienced New York deed attorney, call us at (516)
314-8433 or e-mail us. To learn more about our deed transfer services visit us
at: www.jreardonlaw.com/Deed-Transfer.html |
