Tagged: lawyer

November 8th, 2013 Real Estate Law No Comments »

One of the Most Important Things To Do When Buying a Home

One of the most important things to do when purchasing a home in New York or anywhere for that matter is to higher a real estate lawyer.  Now I know what you are thinking – of course we would say that because we real estate lawyers – but this genuinely happens to be one of the most important things that you could do for yourself that will help you not only now but for many years to come considering that purchasing a home for most people is a long term investment.

Hiring a real estate lawyer means you will have an experienced person who knows the real estate law for the state you are moving into and will be able to help you with the following type of issues:

  • Help you negotiate terms and price on the binder (if you have a real estate lawyer in this stage of the process)
  • Review and explain the contact to you and make necessary negotiations  with the seller’s attorney
  • Assist in the process of helping you obtain your mortgage commitment
  • Review the title which would include information on the seller’s, yourself and the property
  • Set up the closing date
  • Represent you during the closing of title to make sure your transaction goes as smooth as possible

Real estate lawyers are not very expensive and nothing can replace being represented by an experienced and knowledgeable attorney throughout the process of buying your home.

If you live in the New York City area and would like us to represent you throughout your purchase and at the closing of title or if you just have real estate questions call 800.976.4904 or fill out of contact form.

November 8th, 2013 Real Estate Law No Comments »

3 Tips On Purchasing a Home In New York If You Don’t Have Enough Money Saved for the Downpayment

Purchasing a home may seem like it is an impossible task for some people, especially for those who have never owned a home before.  Sometimes it can be challenging to find the perfect home but even more of a challenge to some may be saving up money for a downpayment on a house.

Downpayments for homes in New York is generally 10% of the purchase but can be higher or lower depending on the seller of the home.  You may find yourself in a dilema because you want to purchase a home and want to take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit, low interest rates and low housing prices but do not have enough money saved up right now for the downpayment amount.

Here are some tips that may help you get the money for the downpayment amount you need so that you can purchase a home and take advantage of the first time homebuyers tax credit of up to $8,000 before the time is up on April 30, 2010 (must be in contract by this date):

  •  If you see a house you are interested in find out how much they are asking for the downpayment amount if it is a little too pricey for what you are looking for in a downpayment amount but you are able to handle the monthly payments it would cost for the mortgage of the house try to negotiate with the seller to find out if they would be flexible with the downpayment amount and lower it slightly;
  • If you get a lump sum of money back for taxes and are expecting your refund to arrive soon you may want to consider using the money you get back from taxes for a downpayment on a home;
  • If you do not have enough for a downpayment on a house and are looking to purchase a home in New York City (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx) you may be eligible for assistance with your downpayment amount with the HomeFirst Downpayment Assistance Program.
November 8th, 2013 Real Estate Law No Comments »

The Homebuyer Tax Credit: Do You Know When You Have to Be In Contract By?

The Home Buyer Tax Credit, which was extended late last year, is running out of time for you to use it if you plan on purchasing a home.

The Home Buyer Tax Credit is available to first time home buyers and current homeowners alike the only difference is that the first time home buyers will receive a larger tax credit than those who are currently homeowners or have owned a home within the last three years.

If you are considering buying a house in New York or New Jersey now may be the time for you to purchase a home because of the home buyer tax credit that you can receive if you are in contract by April 30, 2010.  If you would like to discuss with one of our real estate attorney’s whether now is a good time for you to take advantage of purchasing a home while receiving up to $8,000 (or $6,500 if you have owned a home within the last 3 years).

To speak with a Staten Island real estate lawyer from our law firm call 800.976.4904 or email us and we will respond back to you.

November 8th, 2013 Real Estate Law No Comments »

How Do I Know What to Do In This Real Estate Market? Is It Time to Buy or Sell a Home or Not Do Anything?

The real estate market these days can be so confusing no matter where you live in America and one thing you have to understand is the national housing reports may not reflect your local real estate condition or it may.  With there being so many conflicting reports in the news about the housing market how are you supposed to be able to determine if it is a good time to buy a house, sell a house or just hold off from doing anything?

We understand that it can be difficult to figure our what you are supposed to be doing and looking in the newspaper or searching the internet news section to this answer may only make things more confusing for you.  The only way to get the honest opinion of what move is best for you in your areas real estate market whether you live or are looking at a home in Staten Island, Brooklyn or any other part of New York is to speak with a real estate expert.  Speaking with a real estate expert such as Steven Decker Staten Island real estate lawyer will help you determine what is good not only in your areas housing market but also what is best for you personally.

To speak with Steven Decker and our real estate team at Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola, LLP call 800.976.4904 or email us and we will help you determind what move is best for you right now, if any.

November 8th, 2013 Real Estate Law No Comments »

Finding the Right Decisions in Real Estate Transactions

Whether you are purchasing a home or selling a home you always have many questions and throughout the real estate process you may often wonder if you are being too safe or too risky and if the decisions you are making are the right ones.

According to a recent article in the Staten Island Advance titled “Walking Real Estate Tightropes” The article explains the similarities between an documentary about a man who in 1974 walked between the twin towers on a tightrope and the current real estate situations and decision a person must make when buying or selling a home.

Often times questions may arise throughout your real estate process that require you to take the safe approach or the “risky” approach but sometimes the safe approach may not always be the correct choice.

For some the answer to certain real estate questions may not have an actual correct or incorrect answer but may just depend solely on the opinion and risk level that a person is willing to take while other times there may be a correct answer but you may not know what it is.  The article explains that in these type of situations where there is a correct answer out there it makes sense to not just move forward with a decision based on your own opinion but rather to seek advice from a real estate expert to help find out the correct decision you should be making.

Speaking with a real estate expert such as a real estate attorney will help clarify a lot of questions that are lingering over your head regarding the real estate process.  It is good to educate yourself by speaking to other homeowners who have been through similar situations, by speaking with a real estate lawyer and by reading real estate books.  If you would like more information regarding purchasing or selling a house in Staten Island or Brooklyn New York call Steven Decker Staten Island real estate lawyer at 800.976.4904 or email us by filling out our contact form.

November 8th, 2013 Real Estate Law No Comments »

Quick and Inexpensive Home Fix-ups that Can Help Your Home Sell for More

If you are considering selling your home but know it needs some fixing up and do not have the money for expensive repairs and fix-ups there is still hope for selling your home.  Doing some quick fix-ups to the appearance of your home can help you get more for the value of your home and won’t cost you much either.

Here are 15 quick fix-ups that can get your more money for your home:

  • Remove excess furniture
  • Remove excess clutter
  • Clean out your closets and organize anything that needs to stay in there in an orderly fashion
  • Patch up any nail holes in the wall that do not have pictures hanging on them
  • Keep your lawn mowed
  • Wash exterior and interior or windows thouroughly
  • Paint or replace your front door if needed
  • Power spray the outside of the house to get rid of excessive dirt and cobwebs
  • Replace the welcome mat at the front steps if the one your currently  have looks used
  • Paint or replace your mailbox if necessary
  • Wash or replace the front porch light fixture
  • Make sure your house has the house number well displayed and that the display is clean
  • Thouroughly clean the house before you put it on the market – sweep, mop, scrub, shampoo your carpet or wax your floors
  • Re-do anything that is worn down in your kitchen and bathroom
  • Re-paint the interior of your house if you are in need of a paint job

Having any edge over everyone else in this economy will  help your house sell for more and will make your house look more appealing and like it is worth more.  Once you have a buyer for  your house you will need to find a real estate lawyer in your area.  If you are looking for a real estate lawyer in Staten Island or if you are selling your Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens or Bronx New York or New Jersey home you can contact us at 800.976.4904 to find out how we represent clients selling their home like you everyday and how we can be of assistance to you.

  • Decker & Decker
    3 Kermit Avenue
    Staten Island, NY 10305
    Phone: 718.979.4300
    Fax: 718.351-3514
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