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Virginia Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Was mislead while signing a deed which at time I was under the impression was just for the land portion of an estate. "

Deed references property.I asked question this deed is just for the sale of the land. Response by a brother who was purchasing the land said I quote yes its for the property. Now knowing property also could & did include Home & lot that it sat on. That at time was not for sale. Need help... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: I have to hire an attorney. What are the steps to move EMD on a failed sale in ALex VA from settlement co. to courts?

I have to hire an attorney soon hopefully if there is a flat fee attorney out there to help me get the EMD on a failed sale contract where buyer backed out on a as-is sale. EMD is not much, but meanwhile what are the steps involved where a settlement company can be forced (not cooperating) to move... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Virginia on
Q: If i purchase someone else’s business and the business owns real estate, do i then become

the owner of the real estate as well ? I purchased a company and there are 9 properties that are owned by this business when I check online.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Do we have to resort to a lawsuit against the sellers to have the damage taken care of?

We closed on a new home mid July. We allowed the sellers to stay in the house until September. Upon moving a piano the movers severely damaged the floors. Estimates that we have received by hardwood floor companies state in order to restore the floor to what it was requires complete replacement.... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Nov 15, 2024

Unless you hired the movers, you have no privity with them. Your entire claim is with the Sellers. How much they collect from the movers is their business.

This is one of many, many reasons that most lawyers and title agents don't like leasebacks. If you aren't ready to close,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Land Use & Zoning for Virginia on
Q: Do we have a case against anyone(county, title company, pervious owner)?

When we bought our property we did a title check to make sure there were no restrictions with the property, come to find out there seems to be an easement that was filed with the county a year after we had bought it. however it seems to have been drafted months before we bought the property, do we... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 6, 2024

Hire a VA attorney to search the title, and examine closely that recorded easement. If easement is for road improvement or maybe an underground utility system, probably no damages. Title companies rarely have a duty to anyone, but might get hit for negligence (again doubtful). Have an... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Does this give me an out if I don’t like the layout of the land?

“This offer is fully contingent upon on a formal survey and the buyers being satisfied with the boundaries”.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Oct 29, 2024

It is important to read the clause in the context of the entire document, but if you have a completely discretionary right to satisfaction and you are satisfied, that might be quite useful. Consult counsel licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction and familiar with local contracts and customs, and... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Virginia on
Q: How can I challenge Oakllands blight ordinance for 20 years I have been harrassed unjustly by tbuilding inspection dept.

Ever since I pulled Owner Builder permits to put A new foundation under my home, I have been targeted by the permit dept. Unfairly. I have lived in Oakland since the 1980's prior to pulling permits I had NEVER been questioned or targeted by Oaklands fledgling blight ordinance inspectors, Ever... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 19, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've faced with Oakland's blight ordinance. To begin addressing this issue, start by gathering all documentation related to your interactions with the building inspection department. This includes permits, inspection reports, correspondence,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: My husband has power of attorney over his uncle whom is in a nursing home, he is mentally fine but physically not.

His uncle owns property that connects with ours we would like to purchase that property but not sure since the power of attorney. My husband and his uncle are the only remaining people in his family so there are no other heirs.. we do not want the nursing home to make us sell it which is why we... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Oct 7, 2024

The question presents potential issues of self-dealing in derogation of fiduciary duties and credit fraud, elder abuse, and even potential Medicaid fraud. But, the funny part is one of the first lessons I learned in practice from my mentor’s mentor: If nobody is going to object, there are many... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: if there 5 children and three are dead when the father,mother dies, does the children of the dead heirship rights
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 26, 2024

Yes... Hire a VA attorney to search the title and determine heirship.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Do I have to sign a dispute resolution and arbitration agreement before purchasing a house

Purchasing a modular home in Tennessee to be delivered to Virginia. Seller wants a dispute resolution and arbitration agreement signed before. I have not see the house. They want me to sign something saying I am satisfied with it and nothing is wrong. Can I get out of signing this

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 3, 2024

A Virginia/Tennessee (???) attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Applicable laws aside, as a general matter, an attorney would probably want to take a look closer at the agreement to advise - geography, distances involved, reasonableness of ability to inspect,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Virginia on
Q: Sale of completely depreciated rental property

Tax consequences on sale of completely depreciated rental property

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 14, 2024

When you sell a completely depreciated rental property, there are several tax consequences to consider. Since the property has been fully depreciated, you must recapture all the depreciation taken during the ownership period as "depreciation recapture." This recaptured amount is taxed at... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Virginia on
Q: real estate question: What does a Seller do in process when they sell a house 3 days prior a Wrongful foreclosure date

Real estate question: basic now but will elaborate when connected. Note: will type words in a form of 3rd person so its less emotional for me, stay on logic.

Also, a lawyer that was the office for Legalaide stated that it does not matter the Foreclosure the property was sold, there is no... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 13, 2024

When you sell a home just a few days before a scheduled foreclosure, the sale can have important consequences on the foreclosure process. First, make sure that the sale of the property is fully finalized and that all necessary documents have been recorded. Once the house is sold, the foreclosure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: What is the law regarding adverse possession of property bordering our property?

An old fence was erected when our house was built in 1990. There are old fruit trees planted on our side of the fence. The fence is about 30 feet from our actual property line. The area on our side of the fence has been maintained by our prior property owners before we purchased the property and... View More

Ross Cameron Hart
Ross Cameron Hart
answered on Sep 15, 2024

While your facts appear to support your claim of adverse possession, and there is a reasonable likelihood of success, it's not easy or clearcut. Simply, you need to get a lawyer on board - if only for advice - and see what else you need to do to cement your claim.

Adverse possession...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: My dad is only name on deed lived here 25yr own 14 yr he pass now someone saying own can it be so
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 9, 2024

Hire a VA attorney to search the title and determine heirship unless your Father gave out some conveyance you do not know about.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Divorce for Virginia on
Q: Can my husband of 17 years sell a house in Va without my consent even though my name isn’t in the deed .
James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Sep 2, 2024

Equitable distribution rights in marital property in Virginia do not rise to the level of title rights. In the absence of a court order freezing marital assets, a spouse holding title in his or her name alone may sell property. The other spouse may have a right to a credit in equitable... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Can I sell my wife’s home? She passed without a will and the house was solely in her name. Me and her 2 daughters heirs
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 11, 2024

You and her two daughters should be able to sell the home when probate is complete. The administrator of your wife's estate may also be able to sell it with a court order and distribute the proceeds to you and the two daughters.

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Two brothers co-own a property in VA. What is the law when Brother #1 wants to sell and Brother #2 is reluctant?

If Brother #2 does not want to buy out Brother #1, what rights does Brother #1 have if he wants to sell?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 13, 2024

Either co-owner of the property can petition the court for sale in lieu of partition as long as the property isn't subject to partition. Partition is mostly an available remedy for farmland. The legal fees for the petition are, under Virginia Code, reimbursed from the proceeds of the sale by... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Someone’s deed says they have the right to use my property. The deed has transferred 4-5 times. Do they?
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 10, 2024

If the alleged Easement is not in YOUR chain of title, then the adjoining owner probably does not have a ROW over you. A Prescriptive ROW may have occurred, or an implication may have created it. To be enforceable an Express Easement must be in the Servient Tenement's title, not the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: My commercial lease promised water and central heating and air in the building 6 months later owner refuses to install.

My contract promises the water and heating system but owners 6 months later still won’t install them or turn the water on.

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Jun 5, 2024

If your lease provides for water and a heating to be provided by your landlord and they refuse to install the system or water, it would be a clear breach of the lease and the landlord could be subject to damages. If you contact an attorney make sure you provide a copy of the executed Lease. Good... View More

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