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Questions Answered by Thomas C. Valkenet
3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I am considering selling my home. My husband passed in 2020. I am on the deed, but not the mortgage.

I have been confirmed as the Successor in Interest by the mortgage company.

We did not have a will when my husband passed. Could you explain what I need to do in order to

sell the property. I need to downsize because the property is over 3200 square feet and it is becoming... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Oct 22, 2024

As a married couple, I assume you held the deed as "tenants by entireties." Upon his passing, you became sole owner (there was nothing for the mortgage company to "confirm," it just happened). You can sell it, any time. The mortgage remains a lien and must be paid off at... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Does a MD HOA have to disclose to the home buyer HOA violations that were given to buyer prior to sale of the home?
Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Sep 20, 2024

Yes. And this is most often something your real estate agent obtains. Most HOA's have a "resale package" that must be requested by the Seller, at a fee of $50-$200. The HOA then compiles its records, including open violations, and the package is delivered to the buyer within the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Can an easement on our property to our neighbors house be closed if they have an alternative driveway on their land?

Hi. We have an easement that was set up in the 1960’s that runs through our backyard to our neighbor's house which we believe was the original neighbor's only driveway to their home decades ago, so a necessity for their property. Now the easement acts as a second driveway for them... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Jun 17, 2024

A common issue. A recorded easement may be extinguished by a new recording, executed by all. You may have claims for mis-use or over-burdening, but the recorded instrument grants the rights, whatever it says. The concept of "necessity" is irrelevant to a recorded easement. The neighbor... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: My sister gave me unimproved lot in Hilo. I never signed anything. Want to give the property back.What do I do?
Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Jun 13, 2024

And does "gave me" include recording a deed? The answer to that question will determine what any lawyer can tell you.

If no deed, simply refuse to accept it.

If a deed, consider selling it. Otherwise, you will need the grantor to join in another instrument renouncing or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: I sold my house last year. Can the new owners' insurance co request that I pay for a claim that THEY made 11 mos later?

Hello, I'm wondering if you can help with a problem we're having. We sold our house last year, and now 11 months later, we've received a letter in the mail stating that we owe $25,000 because of a building code violation on the property. The letter was from a title insurance company... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on May 22, 2024

The answer is "it depends." It depends on the terms of your contract. Also, some title insurers slip in a form for seller signature that reads "you are inducing us to sell a policy of title insurance to the buyers..."

We never let our clients sign this. It creates a duty...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Is it possible to quitclaim a parcel to the estate of a deceased person? Her estate remains open after ten years.
Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Apr 1, 2024

As a technical matter, yes. As a practical matter, why? The purpose of the Estate is to wind up, liquidate and distribute the assets of the decedent. It is not the business of the Estate to acquire assets. The PR will be closely scrutinized for this, and whether it is violative of their statutory... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Maryland on
Q: I am a MD Realtor thinking of Starting a Property Management company. Are there any laws or Regulations that prohibt?

Are there any Additional License or Certification?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Mar 2, 2024

A property manager holding a MREC license is actually subject to MORE scrutiny than a property manager that is not a licensee. I will share from personal experience that property managers get sued, a lot. The issue is not so much whether you must be licensed, at all (a license is easy to obtain),... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Probate for Maryland on
Q: My husband and his dad are on the deed for his dad's house. If his father dies and the will says otherwise, who owns?

My husband and his father are on the deed to his father's house. His father died but the will says that all 3 kids get the estate. So that would mean all 3 kids would be on the deed when he passes. Since my husband was originally on the deed before he died, does that mean it's officially... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Mar 2, 2024

Your question is missing the exact wording of the deed naming your hubby as a co-owner. If the wording made him a full owner upon Dad's death, then the Will's bequest would be ineffective. But if any interest became part of your Dad's probate estate, then that portion could be... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: 3 siblings inherit home 2 want to sell 1 doesn't. What are our options

Home in hyattsville.

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Jan 10, 2024

The answer partly depends on what you mean by "inherit." More specifically, in whose name is the deed? That/those person(s) are the owners. If by "inherit" you mean a Will describes intention, but a new deed has not issued from the Estate, that is a different analysis.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Environmental for Maryland on
Q: In the state of Maryland, Can you purchase a home and occupy that home knowing there is a failed septic?

Wicomico County,Md/ Also we will have a portta potty/ as well as trying to get a water reuse permit. We also will be using owner finance.

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Dec 8, 2023

You are confusing two concepts. You might be physically able to occupy the premises, but perhaps not without governmental response. Without septic the property will not have a Use & Occupancy Certificate. The property will not pass any septic inspection called for in the real estate contract,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Maryland on
Q: sisters want to sell a house they inherited, one wants reimbursed for paying the mortgage before the sale is that legal?

Two sisters inherited a house, one is the executor of the will. They both wish to sell the house but the executor payed the mortgage for the last two months out of pocket instead of out of the estate funds. She now wants reimbursed saying there were no estate funds only the bequeathments as set by... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Dec 5, 2023

Yes. The sister can petition the court to remove the Personal Representative, who is not doing the job properly. There is no reason to pay a mortgage if the estate is insolvent. It just means the house must be sold. The bank will get all its money at settlement, if the price is high enough. The... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Maryland on
Q: Is it legal for the executor of an estate to force a benificiary to pay for a mortgage on a house they inherited?

Two sisters inherited a house with a mortgage now one sister wants the other sister to quit claim deed the house. Said sister is also the executor of the estate and is forcing my wife to either pay half the mortgage or quit claim on said house

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Dec 5, 2023

"inheritance" doesn't mean the bank loan is forgiven. It must be either paid off from Estate funds, or refinanced by the person inheriting the property. A "quitclaim" deed (one without the usual warranties of title) means the mortgage lien/loan obligations of the dead... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Connecticut on
Q: Can a thirdparty own part of an asset under an LLC without owning part of the LLC ?

I'm building 2 software products with 1 partner. We want to house both products under one LLC. For one of the products we reached an agreement for distribution with a third party, but the third party wants part ownership to that software since they'll be playing a key role in how we... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Dec 4, 2023

There are a variety of options for sharing intellectual property rights. The existence of an LLC is not necessary. You don't even have to share ownership of the existing LLC. It is easy enough to allocate profits and losses from the sale and distribution of a product in a written agreement, or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: My neighborhood was left out of the HOA somehow and the resident agent won't let us be apart of it

Hello.

So my neighborhood was built in the 80s. My grandmother is the homeowner. We've both been here since 1993. Recently, I decided to seek out help with establishing an HOA because the potholes are getting out of hand, amongst other issues. I found out that our neighborhood plat has... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Dec 4, 2023

You describe an interesting issue- assuming the historical documents show an intention to include your mother's property in an HOA regime, but was omitted, can the HOA be compelled to admit her property. This will take any lawyer experienced in this area of title law several hours of research... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Do you all prepare legal deeds? I want to assume the loan to my late father's home and need a drafted deed
Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Nov 6, 2024

Yes. But you describe two very different things. Are you purchasing the home, and the price is assumption of the mortgage? And what about your father's equity in the house? Is he gifting that to you?

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: In Maryland, under contract to sell, do not want to give title company my social security number. what to do?

I understand that the sale must be reported to the irs. However filing instructions for the 1099s state several options of responsible parties to file it, this includes myself. What regulation/law requires it to be the title company? Also on that note while I understand the buyer has the right... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Nov 1, 2024

The title company needs this to establish your property tax account. Use of your SS# has become ubiquitous. There is no avoiding. What is your concern?

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: In Maryland home purchase, can I (the buyer) negotiate over minor repairs, such as the aging roof or deteriorating deck?

The inspection turned up a variety of issues with the home. However, none of these issues are safety concerns. For example, even though the roof needs to be replaced in the next year or two, there are no immediate safety concerns. Under Maryland law, am I able to negotiate over minor issues or just... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Apr 1, 2024

Do you have an agent? This is part of your contract, in the Property Inspection Addendum (I am also a broker). The addendum includes a tight schedule of notices and requests. Anything in the report is fair game.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: How do I get a lien removed from a property that should not have been placed?

I own a Condo in McDonogh Township/Maryland. A former Management Company mismanged our Condo Fees and made the Buildings unsafe. The HOA President fired that Management Company and implemented SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS to us the Owners. He has placed a Lien on my Property. I want it removed.... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Dec 4, 2023

I believe you separately emailed my office, directly. The response is the same--Your recourse is through the Condo rules, and possibly a court action if the HOA is not following its own rules. However, while you may be able to obtain equitable (non-monetary relief), you are not going to recover for... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I have 2 properties on my road no one else in the neighborhood has my road as there address my neighbor keeps using it c

Can I claim the road as my own?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Nov 10, 2023

I am not a Pennsylvania lawyer. You need a local counsel who knows about express easements in the chains of title, and possible adverse use easements, easements by implication, necessity, and those created by plat. Good luck!

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: If a prenup disposes of real property must it be recorded

Our prenup gives me a life estate if my husband predeceases me, assuming I continue to pay the mortgage. Do we need to record notice of the life estate?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Nov 3, 2023

Your prenup is statement of intention. Only a recorded deed can pass an interest in land, or create a life-estate. For years our Firm has litigated this issue because the family law lawyers often don’t know how to handle the real property side of a separation agreement. It’s not hard, but it... View More

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