Category Archives: Real Estate
Do Commercial Tenants Have a Duty of Care to Protect the Leased Property from Arson by a Third Party?
Negligence is a central issue in many civil lawsuits; the plaintiff is suing the defendant for compensation for financial losses the plaintiff suffered because of something irresponsible the defendant did, or else something reasonably cautious that the defendant failed to do. In order for a plaintiff to win a lawsuit about negligence, you must… Read More »
Blockchain Could Make Real Estate Transactions Safer and Less Expensive
When many of us hear the word “blockchain,” the first image that comes to mind is that of shady dealings in mysterious cryptocurrencies that are linked to no precious metals, no banknotes, and no governments. The only identities are pseudonyms and alphanumeric codes long enough even to confound people who know hundreds of digits… Read More »
What the New Federal Eviction Moratorium Means for Maryland Landlords Who Rent Out Residential Properties
Many federal laws set a minimum standard of duty owed to individual workers or consumers; the federal law requires state lawmakers to adopt the federal standard unless they have a state law already in force that is even more accommodating to its intended beneficiaries. For example, states that have not set their own minimum… Read More »
What’s Next for Commercial Landlords in the Washington DC Area?
As most school districts in the Washington DC area brace themselves for an all-online beginning to the coming school year, workers and employers are adjusting to a new normal. Perhaps the pandemic is making us appreciate in person socializing; you may have even perfected some new recipes that will taste even better when you… Read More »
Real Estate Leasing Basics
In August, we found out that Wegmans, the regional grocery store chain based out of New York, was opening up a location in Washington, D.C. According to sources, Wegmans plans to move into a space currently occupied by Fannie Mae and plans to open by 2022. Moving into a building owned by another company… Read More »
Buying and Selling Real Estate in Washington D.C.
When it comes to buying and selling real estate in Washington DC, there are a number of separate laws that makes the whole process quite unique and different from any other place. That is why it is always important to engage a real estate lawyer in any real estate transaction because they are aware… Read More »
Reasons Why You Should Not Add a Loved One’s Name to Your Deed
The question on whether or not to add a loved one’s name to a title deed is often asked by different groups of home owners. The elderly parent who hopes to bequeath the home to an adult child would assume that adding the name of the child would ensure that the property ownership falls… Read More »
Own Property in D.C? Better call your lawyer!
The Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan D.C. has released a four-page memo detailing how landlords should proceed with regard to the cultivation and consumption of recreational marijuana on their properties. Most importantly, AOBA states off the bat, “we encourage members to consult an attorney for guidance on any lease modifications.” As of… Read More »
What is a living trust and how is it created?
A living trust is a trust that is created while the person who creates it (known as the “grantor” or “settlor”) is still living. The trust is created by the simple act of signing an instrument sometimes referred to as a “Declaration” or “Agreement of Trust.”However, no property is governed by the terms of… Read More »
How Can an HOA or COA Foreclose on its Residents?
The District of Columbia provides a number of options to residential associations, including condominium owners associations (COAs) and homeowners’ associations (HOAs). These associations generally oversee housing communities made up of condominiums, town houses or single-family homes, and maintain the communities through the payment of dues. Occasionally, residents fail to pay their COA or HOA… Read More »
