Distracted driving has been around longer than most might assume, going back as far as the 1950s with car radios. However, distracted driving has gained more attention since the introduction of cellphones and texting. Drivers in Pennsylvania should know some...
Year: 2021
Different types of real estate deeds and what they do
If you’re looking for your perfect starter home – or the perfect plot of land to build it on – then you’ll likely soon receive one of several different types of deeds. Unless you are unusually well-versed in property law terminology, it’s understandable that you might...
Why you should avoid major purchases before closing on a home
Typically it is in your best interests to avoid making major purchases while in the market for a home. This is because those purchases could have an impact on your credit utilization and debt-to-income ratios. If these ratios are too high, it may make it difficult or...
Funding retirement with an estate plan
Estate planning provides you with ways to build wealth. Planning for retirement through your current estate is possible if your assets create income. Stocks, which can be held in a trust, produce gains that, when managed right, can be held tax-free in Pennsylvania....
Should you name alternate beneficiaries?
When planning your estate, you will name beneficiaries to receive your assets when you are gone. However, life is uncertain, and those people might pass away before you do. As such, it is wise to name alternate beneficiaries. An example While you are going through the...
I found a For Sale By Owner, but I already have a real estate agent. Can I avoid the fee?
In your search for a new home, you decided to hire a real estate agent. Later, you found the perfect house, only to discover that it is listed as For Sale By Owner (FSBO) and the seller does not want to involve real estate agents. You might feel the temptation to...
Buying a house: Is it smart to use a 30-year mortgage?
Buying a home can be an effective way to secure your financial future, while also making it easier to become part of a community. However, it's important that you act carefully when shopping for a Pennsylvania home. Ideally, you will make a significant down payment,...
How you can use inverse condemnation
When you own a property in Pennsylvania, you might think it’s yours until you sell it. However, the government can take part of it to use for a variety of purposes. While the government doesn’t need permission from the homeowner to do so, they do need to compensate...
Estate planning conversations can prevent problems
Should you ask your parents about their estate planning? Pennsylvania law favors those who have well-written estate plans. Your parents do not have to be high net-worth individuals to benefit from taking care of estate planning now. Failure to leave a set of...
Where to start your conversation about estate planning
Some put off estate planning, perhaps because they don't want to contemplate their mortality. Others think of it as something that can always wait until later, while some people enjoy the process of "giving it all away" or constructing their lasting legacy. Regardless...