Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio

Dear Seller: Please contact an experiencede real estate Attorney. This type of document is too important to try to use simpe form agreeents. It's like trying to find the procedure for brain surgery online! Don't do it.

Find an Attorney to assist you in preparing specific provisions for sale, escrow, etc.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

J. Norman Stark

LEGALLY SPEAKING�...ABOUT REAL ESTATE.

By: J. Norman Stark, ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT EMERITUS (Oh) A.I.A., N.C.A.R.B.

Before you buy, sell or remodel real estate, consider retaining experienced legal counsel to advise assist, and guide you. Here's why: for more than 35 years, I�ve served Clients in Real Estate Purchases, Sales, Business, Construction, and claims. In my professional practice, which includes a broad range of legal services for Clients, I've gained specific experience I'd like to share with you. Here's my 2 cents� worth:

Used Car History. Before buying a used car, most prudent buyers obtain a CarFax or AutoCheck report, with a detailed history record of that specific vehicle, identified by its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) lists a number of the companies that provide its vehicle history reports, some of which cost only a few dollars.

Real Property Report. Before you buy a house, consider obtaining a Real Property Report that discloses the property's ownership, transfer and claims history. County Recorders can provide a history of prior ownership. Municipal Building Departments maintain a Building Card for each property, with a history of permits, remodeling, water heater replacements, etc., without charge. Prudent buyers also engage the services of an experienced Home Inspection Service to inspect and detect damage, deficiencies, and undesirable conditions in the property.

Insurance Claims History. Don't get stuck with a property where the previous owner has filed a damage claim, collected the insurance check, and not had the work done, or had it done improperly. Insurance companies will likely refuse to pay out on new claims that were previously paid to a prior owner. For example, consider: claimed hail damage to a roof, $20,000 paid out to previous homeowner, who takes the check, does not replace the roof and sells the house. The unwary new owner (purchaser) may, only later, discover the hail damage that resulted in leaks, and files a claim. The current insurance company will deny the claim, based on the recent claims history and previous payout, leaving the new homeowner without coverage.

Experienced legal counsel can help you avoid costly mistakes; legal counsel doesn't cost, it pays!!!

***

WHERE EXPERIENCE COUNTS, COUNT ON MY EXPERIENCE

J. NORMAN STARK, ATTORNEY*

ARCHITECT EMERITUS (Ohio) A.I.A., N.C.A.R.B.

1109 Carnegie Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115

(216) 531-5310 x7100 Email: [email protected]

*Author: The Construction Claims Investigation Worklist�