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Missouri Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Can a real estate property be sold to a family member without a valid sales contract in Missouri?
Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
answered on Mar 20, 2023

One should be able to go straight to closing, however, all of the same pre-closing due diligence should be first conducted despite there being no contract: title search, survey, inspections, appraisal, etc.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: How to respond to a small court summons in Saint Louis, MO?

I have a tenant who filed a small claim summon against me for charges related to the security deposit I deducted due to property damages. I received the summon but the court date is in less date 2 weeks and I wanted to send a response to the Judge to look at before the court date. This is in Saint... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Mar 8, 2023

You may file an answer to the petition. Be sure to serve the plaintiff with a copy. The judge is unlikely to read your answer prior to a small claims trial, however.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Contracts for Missouri on
Q: Mortgage servicer issues

Need advice

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Mar 4, 2023

You should ask a question if you’d like a response to get you started in assessing the situation.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: I bought a house in Missouri 2021. my foundation started bowing ,2 chimneys also. Never informed of severity in the

Inspection report. Also, the previous owners said they lived in the house for last 3 months. Never happened. The shower drain wasn't even hooked up! All the water drained right into the foundation which literally has dust as mortar! The foundation started failing immediately after I moved in.... View More

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Feb 28, 2023

Based on the limited information provided, you could possibly have an action for failing to disclose known defects against the sellers of the property. In such an action, you would have the burden of proving that the sellers knew of the defects in the foundation and knowingly failed to disclose... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Missouri on
Q: Can a buyer in a home owner financing contract that is not satisfied, rent the home to other people?

We have an extensive agreement we’ve put together. As we are closer to signing and finalizing he mentioned renting the home to another party and not doing repairs until he pays the balloon note. I’m uncomfortable with this notion. Is it legal? Can they be landlord and not live in the dwelling?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Feb 13, 2023

Your questions are fact-specific and depend upon the written terms of the contractyou executed. If this is important enough to you, hire an attorney to review the contract. In general, I landlord certainly does not need to live in the rental premises.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Can a family attorney represent an hoa or does the attorney need to be a real estate/hoa attorney
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Feb 3, 2023

A Missouri-licensed attorney may represent an HOA. Missouri does not require specialization.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Can a real estate agent make false claims about another agent to take their clients?

Had another real estate agent calling clients that I had worked with and telling them that I had retired and that I had referred them to her. I’m concerned that this is affecting my business.

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 31, 2023

If you can prove that such a statement was made and you can prove that you were financially damaged and if you are willing to pay an attorney to file suit for you, go for it. Also, make sure the other agent has insurance or funds to pay any judgment you might obtain.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Is it legal for a broker in Missouri to require their agents to sign a non-compete clause?
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 31, 2023

It’s not a matter of legality but rather of the enforceability of such a provision. The enforceability would depend upon the facts, including the geographical and temporal scope of the provision.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Purchased home in 2/2021, recently found structural damage from old water damage that was not disclosed. Options?
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 16, 2023

If you have proof that the seller knew of the problem and failed to disclose, you could have an attorney assert a claim for violation of Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act (MPA). That's Missouri's consumer protection statute. On my website, there is an article you might find... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Missouri on
Q: How to have un-wanted house-guests who have over-stayed their welcome out asap in MO?

Hello. Around 5 months ago a friend of mine contacted me (he was homeless) and asked me if him and his GF could come stay with me for a few weeks at my house I own. I said sure. They have now been here 5 months, refuse to get a job, have never paid any money in rent and do not have any kind of a... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 4, 2023

It is civil jurisdiction only. Hire a MO attorney for this problem eviction action for possession. It may require physical removal by LEO's later. Do not get in a fight or they will have leverage on you. Do not do this yourself.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for Missouri on
Q: My parents passed with no will and the house still has a mortgage. How do I get the title in my name? I want to sell it.

The house is currently in the foreclosure process but the attorney for the mortgage company said I should still have time to try and sell. How do I get the house put in my name? What documents will I need? Should I get a lawyer?

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Jan 3, 2023

First and foremost, I am very sorry for your loss.

As for the house, even though your parents did not have wills, you can start a probate action to be appointed the personal representative of each of their estates. As personal representative, you will have authority to offer their home for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Missouri on
Q: Need My daughter, her boyfriend, and 3 children to move out of our house. They have been here 3 months no lease
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Dec 31, 2022

Serve them each with a notice to vacate and if they don’t leave have an attorney file an unlawful detainer case.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Ex wife still lives in our paid off home, how do I force the sale of the home to get my half of the property ?

Divorce decree said proceeds to be split upon sale of house but did not specify a sale date.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 14, 2022

The most direct remedy is file an Action for a Sale For Partition.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: I purchased a property in Missouri. I am past the contingencies and I decided not to purchase due to medical. The seller

Has retained an attorney. They have a contingency. What can they sue me for?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 3, 2022

They can sue you for specific performance to force the sale or for breach of contract. If they end up selling to someone else for less than your agreed upon price, they'd have a good claim for the difference as damages. Plus, under your contract you may end up on the hook for their... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Missouri on
Q: My mother passed away in MO & has a reverse mortgage. How long do we have to sell the home & pay back the loan balance?

MO has a Reverse Mortgage Act. I was reviewing Section 443.903 - Reverse mortgage regulations. (6/4/1997), specifically these statements: 6 (c) The lender's right to collect reverse mortgage loan proceeds is subject to the applicable statute of limitations for loan contracts. Notwithstanding... View More

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Oct 25, 2022

The answer to your question is in the reverse mortgage paperwork your mother signed. The statute of limitations, which is the statute you cite in your question, is a different issue altogether. That is just the time period in which a lawsuit may be filed. Under the circumstances, you should have a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: How does it work if you are threatened to be sued by a HOA ?

There is no actually proof that the HOA in question is real. In fact just a bunch of peple who put a gate on a county road? However only one individual has reached out and he is the only one filing and not even the owner of the property that is in question?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 24, 2022

A Missouri attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Their rights could depend on what the suit is for - accident, property damage, etc. If you believe you could be sued for a legitimate claim, you could try to arrange a brief consult with a local attorney to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: Does he have any rights to my house? Should I file a lien and how much does that cost?

My house was getting foreclosed on. My dad and brother came together and got me enough money to not lose it. I am in the process now of getting my ex to sign the deed papers to get his name of it so I can make sure he is not entitled to anything nor has any say so. My kids father has not lived... View More

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Sep 16, 2022

There are a lot of moving parts here and a lot at stake. Respectfully, with all the people and assets involved this is not an issue that can be resolved in an online forum. I strongly advise you to seek the advice of an attorney to sort it all out.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: I purchased a house in MO, after moving in I found out that the inspector didn't do his job, who should pay for repairs?

House was fully remodeled not up to the code.

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Sep 18, 2022

The issue of whether you should pay to repair your home is different from whether you might be able to pursue a claim agains the seller or home inspector. I assume you are referring to an inspector whom you hired. Home inspection contracts are generally terribly one-sided in favor of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Personal Injury, Real Estate Law, Environmental and Municipal Law for Missouri on
Q: Franklin County, MO, municipality is negligent in maintaining alternative sewer system, creating health hazard.

The municipality signed an agreement with the original property owners in 2004. That they were installing a step septic tank system on their properties, that the village owned, was part of the village sanitary sewer system, would maintain, repair, and service. The system on our property was... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 1, 2022

A Missouri attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. This is a complex matter. Evaluation of the septic system could involve the expertise of civil engineers and wastewater experts. Assessment of contamination could involve sampling and lab analysis conducted by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: My spouse moved out of our home 8 years ago and I never removed them from the title. Is he entitled to any proceeds?

My fiancé moved out 8 years ago due to an abusive relationship. I’ve had full custody of our 4 kids ever since then. He made 3 years of payments on the house while we were together, but I’ve made the last 8 years of payments by myself. I’m wanting to sell my house and move soon. Is my ex... View More

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Sep 3, 2022

There are a couple of considerations you need to make in order to answer your question. First, the loan you and your ex have is with the mortgage company. That lender is not invested in your personal situation and is just interested in 1) whether the mortgage payments have been made, and 2) that... View More

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