Wouldn’t it be great if we all had neighbors we can get along with? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some neighbors are simply difficult to get along with. Perhaps, they let their dogs stray into your property, refuse to shovel snow from their sidewalk or...
Maybe you have a commercial property that you have not fully developed, and a neighbor has recently started a business at an adjacent building. They put up a fence, and you can't help but notice that it is over the boundary line. You might also have a residential...
Most people don’t know that there can be any number of problems with the title to a property until they have to deal with a “defective” or “impaired” title as they try to purchase a new home. Sometimes, the sellers don’t even realize they have a defective title until...
Most people have one or more trees on their property. These majestic pieces of nature provide shade and add beauty to the landscape. But trees can also lead to disputes when they fall and damage property. A tree may fall over due to a number of reasons: storm, disease...
If you purchase land with an easement, that means that you’re not the only one who is allowed to use it. For example, your neighbor may have an easement so that they can use your driveway to access their property. If this easement runs with the land, you have to honor...
Easements on real estate cover very specific situations. They enable a non-owner party the right to use a portion of the property for a certain use. It’s important to understand exactly what an easement does so you can ensure that your property is only being used in...
Someone in possession of or residing in another person’s land may be granted title under the legal principle of adverse possession. However, the requirements for this vary across jurisdictions. Adverse possession can happen intentionally or unintentionally, and...
Having a boundary dispute with your neighbor can be unsettling. You may not enjoy a peaceful stay on your property if your neighbor claims a part of it or vice versa. A dispute can also affect the property's value should you be looking to put it up for sale. Boundary...
For the average person purchasing real estate, title insurance seems like a scam. Unless you come to the closing table with enough cash to purchase the property outright, you will usually need to purchase two separate title insurance policies. You will pay thousands...
When there are doubts about the title of a property, its title is considered defective. For instance, when another individual claims ownership of the land, there may not be clear proof of ownership. In such a case, a quiet title action can help you clarify any...
