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Maryland Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Maryland on
Q: My brother and I inherited our father's house with no lien (equal shares). I am buying his 1/2 interest in the property

based on the FMV. I am paying cash, no loan needed. I am wondering the pros/cons of either (1) transferring the property into our joint names first, then completing the buy-out after the estate is closed, or (2) doing the buy-out through the estate, then we distribute the house/funds accordingly.... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Aug 31, 2023

Thanks for your post. One beneficiary/heir buying out the other(s) presents a fairly common scenario.

When an estate has enough other liquid assets, then to eliminate transfer taxes it often makes sense to distribute the real estate entirely to the child who wants to acquire it and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Is a seller required to inform a buyer about mice infestation if they did have an actual knowledge?

The day after settlement I hired a pest exterminator to take care of coach roaches on the property and he found two mice and evidence of foam sealant for mice however the seller never disclosed.

I don't know if there is infestation yet, but I would like to know what Maryland law says about this?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Aug 29, 2023

As you describe the situation, the evidence seems minimal. You don't say where the property is located. For example, in the City, mice will move from neighbor to neighbor, as one exterminates. Also, there are alternate reasons to use foam to fill voids-- energy conservation. It is one of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: If I were to bury a cremated family member on personal property, does the property need to continue paying property tax?
Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Aug 28, 2023

The two concepts are not at all related. First, in Maryland there is no restriction on where human ash may be scattered. You only need permission if on private property. They really are no different than the ashes from your BBQ grill, and there is no tax break for scattering the ashes from your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I sue my HOA for never cutting grass on time from the company they hire to do it?

I have had to lodge complaints at least four times regarding the failure to cut the grass in accordance with the HOA Agreement. On occasions where management has reportedly contacted the landscaping company, the grass was cut, but the problem persists with each subsequent service. As of today,... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Aug 26, 2023

In most jurisdictions, the law and the courts treat HOAs as local democracies. If they violate their "constitutions," i.e., the Declarations and, to some extent, other adopted "laws," you might get a court not to grant a motion to dismiss. For the most part, your remedy is to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: If land is considered farm land and a portion is wanted to place a home on does the land need to be surveyed?

How does the land go from being taxed as farm land to residential taxes?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Aug 15, 2023

In what State and County? Your question deals with issues of local subdivision rules, State taxation rules, and local zoning laws. The act of surveying land is performed in service to issues raised by any one or all of these bodies of law. All good questions, but ones best asked while sitting... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: My brother was a joint owner of a house, but passed away. The deed states, “rights to survivorship”

The “survivor” is telling me that because my brother had open judgements, I have to pay for them (satisfy the liens) before he “the survivor” can sell the house. How is this true? The asset (jointly owned house) was not part of any probate.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Aug 1, 2023

The answer depends on whether the liens are recorded on the property or, under state law, are implicitly liened against title, so the correct answer is to get a lawyer, do a title search, and resolve title. But, as a general matter, if, under state law, the lien was recorded against the property,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: My brother was a joint owner of a house, but passed away. The deed states, “rights to survivorship”

The “survivor” is telling me that because my brother had open judgements, I have to pay for them (satisfy the liens) before he “the survivor” can sell the house. How is this true? The asset (jointly owned house) was not part of any probate.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 1, 2023

It appears that the Judgments were against the Deceased, not you, so that you are not personally liable for any of the Judgment Debts. Apparently the Liens are perfected against the property, and that survivor takes the whole interest subject to the liens. In this case, the liens were always... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: My name is Axel and I am a real estate investor (wholesaler) and I was wondering what kind of contracts or what I would

need in order to make sure I do everything correctly and not against the law and to make sure I do not get into any legal trouble. Like what the process would be and what I would need between a Seller and a Buyer.

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jul 19, 2023

An attorney would first need to know what you mean by "wholesale" -- do you intend to try and sell the property without ever coming into title? Or do you simply mean that you intend to buy property in bulk and once you have acquired same in your / your business name, resell to third... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Should you accept a loan modification with a partial claim on a mortgage that has already been discharged in bankruptcy
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 13, 2023

The only discharge granted was to your personal liability on the mortgage. The lien on the property remains. If you cannot afford the payments and stop paying, then the mortgage company can still foreclose and sell your house at acution to enforce its lien. What it cannot do is sue you and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Small Claims and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Are there traffic laws in the State of and/or Montgomery County Maryland that govern double parking?

townhouse parking development-each house assigned two spaces. neighbor allows visitors to part behind her parked cars-causing two way road to be blocked

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 10, 2023

Most townhouse developments ae governed by an HOA and the parking lots outside the rows of homes are private--not public-- parking lots. In that situation, you need to look at the governing documents and HOA rules for what remedies are available, which usually involves private towing contracts.

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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: If add my father to the deed for my townhouse in MD, could that void the mortgage and let the bank take the house?
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jun 29, 2023

Great question! In many situations, a new deed will trigger the "due on sale" clause in loan paperwork and require immediate repayment of the mortgage in full (for example if someone deeds all or part of their home or attempts to sell the house without paying off the loan).

A...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: We have odd neighbours that walk and drive on a shared easement through our backyard many times a day. What can we do?

Hi we live on a plot with several acres of land. However an easement was created on our land back in the 1960’s as a back access to our neighbors plot. Before either house was built. Decided between friends I believe. This easement unfortunately runs through our backyard and close to our house,... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 17, 2023

You will need to do some more research or provide more facts, preferably in private with counsel. (1) How is the easement worded and recorded in the land records? (2) What was the actual purpose or circumstances under which the easement was first created--i.e., was it created "by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Hi, Md. gen. family partnership wants to trans. land into an LLC, said LLC to be owned by two corps.

Two corps. owned by same family members in same percentages.

LLC would be owned by corps., not the exact same people, but those same people own same respective percentage of shares.

Does partnership have to consolidate or dissolve?

What exceptions to transfer and recordation... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jun 16, 2023

Most real estate lawyers should be able to assist with such a transfer and the applicable deed affidavits and forms.

The transfer you describe (from a general partnership to 2 corporations owned by different owners than the general partnership) sounds like it would be subject to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Maryland on
Q: Who fixes dryer vent? Can HOA bill for uncompleted work? Is HOA responsible for damages caused by delay & violation?

Mold/mildew caused by dryer vented to inside. I was not informed of it at purchase and I found out its against building code while researching this. Contractor came 4 times in 2 year period. I had to keep asking. Holes cut in wall for inspection by their contractor have not been repaired. I'm... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 12, 2023

The answer will depend on who owns what in your condo or HOA, who was responsible for the construction flaw, and who knew of the defect and concealed it. Unless the repair is worth less than the cost of the legal involvement, you may want to have the HOA docs, the advertising and closing docs, and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: My ex-girlfriend and I own a house together. She lives there I do not. The mortgage is only my name.

My question can I have her buy me out so I no longer have any financial obligation. What is the best method for this? My thought was to get the house appraised then sell it to her. She would get a discount since half the equity is hers. So I would sell the house to her for (current balance) +... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 9, 2023

This happens in divorces all the time, with one spouse buying the other out by refinancing the property in their own name for enough money to both pay off the existing mortgage and pay the buyout amount to the other spouse. Typically you would enter into a written agreement regarding the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Maryland on
Q: Hello, I am attempting to make sense of what rights I may have as tenants in common with my brother in my fathers's Will

In the Will, he states, "I give and devise unto my wife my real estate [home address] for the remainder of her natural life, or until she shall decide to reside elsewhere on a permanent basis, or until she shall remarry...she shall pay all maintenance cost, insurance, and property taxes at her... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 7, 2023

You may only have a future interest after your father's widow (your mother?) no longer is residing in the house. You have no present rights to enforce, unless it has to do with an accusation that your father's widow is causing "waste" to the property (e.g., not paying the taxes... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Maryland on
Q: Hello, I am attempting to make sense of what rights I may have as tenants in common with my brother in my fathers's Will

In the Will, he states, "I give and devise unto my wife my real estate [home address] for the remainder of her natural life, or until she shall decide to reside elsewhere on a permanent basis, or until she shall remarry...she shall pay all maintenance cost, insurance, and property taxes at her... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jun 5, 2023

Hi and thanks for posting a real estate question.

The first variable is whether your father's wife is still living. This appears to be a life estate to your father's wife, with the life estate ending if the life tenant moves out or remarries.

You describe a position...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Landlord - Tenant, Real Estate Law and Internet Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I take legal action against HABC.org (Housing Authority of Baltimore City) for False Advertisement?

I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program. I begin working with the program and due to their own continuous mistakes... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 1, 2023

You want to retain a lawyer to file a suit against what is either a government agency or a public-private partnership which might have a regulatory layer that requires some specialization, and the amount of your lawsuit will be for $3,000. Is that right? The non-refundable retainer from counsel in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: I live in a private neighborhood and an individual who is not a resident stores his vehicles infront of my property 24/7

Minimum of 1 car but up to 3. They are left there from 1 week up to 4 months. The roads are owned by the county not the HOA. So far all I can do is have them tagged as abandoned at which time the owner is notified and moves the car for 1 day and then returns it. I have to believe this is illegal... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 29, 2023

You might need to hit the books better or retain someone who can. I recall reading something that limited parking on public roads to a time limit unless the road was adjacent to your home, but it might have been Montgomery County Code. The County and incorporated city codes are often unindexed and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: I live in a private neighborhood and an individual who is not a resident stores his vehicles infront of my property 24/7

Minimum of 1 car but up to 3. They are left there from 1 week up to 4 months. The roads are owned by the county not the HOA. So far all I can do is have them tagged as abandoned at which time the owner is notified and moves the car for 1 day and then returns it. I have to believe this is illegal... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on May 29, 2023

Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything in the Harford County Code that would help you. It’s a public street. You do not own the right to restrict use of the roadway in front of your home. As mentioned, you might organize an HOA or civic association for your neighborhood and lobby to have... View More

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