The Real Estate Law Group

09/05/2025

🏡 Renting Soon? Check Your Rental History First! Read more below 👉

A prospective tenants rental history can help guide your decision to rent to them. Learn the essential steps for verifying an applicant;s rental history.

09/05/2025

The American Dream is slipping away—local politics are making homeownership harder than ever. Read more below 👉

Let’s get something straight from the start: America doesn’t have a housing “problem.” That makes it sound like a small leak under the sink. Rather, what

09/04/2025

🚨 Lease Tips for Landlords! 🚨

After nearly 40 years of experience, we have seen hundreds of lease agreements and most of them are terrible...including the so-called Standard Lease Agreement published by the PA Association of Realtors.

Especially those generic leases downloaded from the internet written by lay people rather than lawyers (otherwise known as the illegal practice of law!).

If you want powerful protection, you need Professor Landlord's IRONCLAD CUSTOMIZED LEASE AGREEMENT which you can use over and over again.

👉 Combine our Customized Lease Agreement with our Onboarding Strategies = Steady Rental Income + Less Stress.

TIP: Don’t Leave Your Rental Business Exposed to Very Common Risks Simply Because You Wanted a Free Lease Agreement. You Get Exactly What You Pay For.

⚠️ Landlords: Take action NOW. Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with Professor Landlord and Discover The Legal Holes In Your Lease Agreement... Your Future Self Will Thank You.

💬 What Kind of Lease Clause Would Make the Biggest Difference In Your Business? If You Can Think It, We Can Draft it! Comment below!

How About Professor Landlord's Exclusive Communications Clause Which Contractually Requires Tenants To Notify You When They Change their Contact Information! (Pretty Smart, right?).

It Also Requires That They Respond to the Landlord's Attempts to Communicate Within a Reasonable Period of Time!

How About Our Exclusive Cooperation Clause Which Requires Tenants to Cooperate with the Landlord Regarding Entry for Inspections and for Maintenance and Repairs?

And the Best Part?? They Cannot Demand to be Present for Inspections and Repairs!!

Remember...Your Lease Is A Contract So It Can Be Designed to Protect You! We Would Love To Hear From You If You Have Any Special Clauses You Want to Share!

09/03/2025

WILL Wednesday ✍️🏡
Buying property is a big milestone—but here’s the catch: your WILL should grow with you!

📌 Life changes fast—marriage, kids, buying or selling a home, even starting a business. If your WILL isn’t updated, your property may not go to the right hands.

✅ Keep it current = protect your property + protect your family.
✅ Outdated WILL = confusion, disputes, and costly legal battles.

✨ Pro tip: Review your WILL every 3–5 years or whenever a major life event happens.

💬 When was the last time you reviewed your WILL? If it’s been a while, this is your sign!

📩 Need guidance on updating yours? DM us today—we’ll help you protect what matters most.

08/26/2025

🏡 A Lien Can Delay A Sale Or Refinancing because they must be cleared prior to closing.

Most unexpected liens are either from unpaid fines, unpaid taxes, judgments from lawsuits or mechanic's liens filed by contractors or subcontractors who were never paid for work on the property.

Avoid Them By:
1️⃣ Paying Contractors On Time
2️⃣ Resolving Disputes Quickly
3️⃣ Doing Regular Title Checks

Don’t Let Legal Obstacles Hold You Back—Get Legal Guidance Today. Send Us A Message.

08/26/2025

Taxes aren’t just numbers—they directly impact your hard-earned investments and your family’s future. Too often, small mistakes lead to costly penalties that could have been avoided.
I came across this article on 6 common tax mistakes and thought it’s worth sharing. Whether you’re managing properties, savings, or planning for the future, staying informed can save you from unexpected setbacks.
🔑 Protect your assets. Secure your future.
👉 Read the full article here: https://www.equifax.com/.../-/learn/avoid-tax-mistakes/
💬 What’s one financial mistake you’ve learned the hard way—and what advice would you give others to avoid it? Drop it in the comments below ⬇️

Each year, millions of Americans make mistakes that can lead to penalties. Before you file your taxes this year, find out about some common pitfalls.

08/25/2025

Hey landlords, are you working without a plan? 🤔 Many dive into property investment without knowing the ropes, leading to burnout and frustration. Here’s the scoop on setting yourself up for success:

1️⃣ **Have a Plan, Not Just Hope:** Hope isn’t a strategy. Create a rock-solid business plan and standard operating procedures for your rentals. Think of it as your roadmap to navigate bumps along the way.

2️⃣ **The Lease Isn’t Everything:** Your lease covers a fraction of the risks. Ensure you're equipped with comprehensive strategies to address maintenance, tenant disputes, and unexpected outages.

3️⃣ **Manage Risk, Don’t Just React:** A proactive risk management plan is your best friend. It’s cheaper, smarter, and saves you from headache-triggering legal battles.

Practical Benefit: A well-crafted plan protects your investment and keeps your rentals stress-free.

Emotional Benefit: You’ll gain peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

Protect your investments and your peace of mind. 📈💪

Got questions or need more tips on securing your rental future? Comment below or message me!
(check us out Landlord on Instagram)

08/24/2025

🌟 Story Saturday: Turning Challenges into Triumphs! 🌟

We love sharing stories about how we helped a client navigate a difficult legal obstacle. Today’s story is one of those unforgettable cases where I felt like I truly made a difference.

A client owned a property with her child's father. They weren’t married, and while she had moved on from the relationship, he stayed in the home and was unable to qualify for a mortgage on his own.

The situation was tough and needed a clear solution. Before she hired a lawyer, the situation dragged on for years! Here’s how we navigated this journey for her:

1️⃣ **Filing a Partition Complaint**
We started off by filing a partition complaint. It’s a special legal action that helps people divide shared property. This step was key in getting the ball rolling toward a fair and just resolution.

2️⃣ **Reaching a Settlement Agreement**
Through expert negotiation, we secured a settlement agreement. This required the property to be sold, with proceeds split fairly based on each person's contribution to maintaining it. It ensured our client got her rightful share.

Emotional & Practical Wins:
💪 Freedom: No more ties to a past relationship and the associated financial burden.

💰 Fair Settlement: She received a fair share, setting her on a new financial path.

🚀 New Beginnings: Clearing this hurdle meant she could fully embrace the next chapter of her life.

Why It Matters
This wasn’t just about selling a home—it was about putting someone back in control of their life and future. Real estate is not just about transactions; it’s about personal victories.

Have a real estate worry you need to clear up? We're here to help make your story a success, too! Share your thoughts or send us a message—let’s chat about your path forward.

08/22/2025

Going the FSBO route might seem straightforward, but having a skilled real estate attorney by your side can make all the difference. Here’s what a real estate lawyer can do for your FSBO sale:

1️⃣ Draft and Review Legal Documents
One of the main concerns in an FSBO sale is ensuring all paperwork is watertight. A lawyer drafts and reviews purchase agreements, addenda, disclosures and the deed, ensuring everything is accurate and protects your interests.

Why It Matters: Avoiding legal pitfalls saves you time, money, and stress in the long run. Accurate documents ensure you're in the clear and that the transaction adheres to legal standards.

2️⃣ Ensure Compliance with State Laws
Different states have varied requirements for real estate transactions. A seasoned real estate attorney understands Pennsylvania's specific regulations and ensures you’re compliant with local laws.

Pro Tip: This includes ensuring necessary disclosures are made, which is crucial for avoiding future disputes or penalties.

3️⃣ Guide Through Negotiations
Even without agents, the negotiation process can be complex and stressful. A skilled negotiator can step in to provide strategic advice, helping you navigate offers and counteroffers to achieve the best outcome.

Benefit: Confidently handle negotiations with professional guidance, ensuring you’re getting the best deal without the usual worries.

4️⃣ Conduct Due Diligence
Conducting a clear title search and resolving any liens or claims are essential parts of a sale. Your attorney will perform thorough due diligence, safeguarding against future legal issues with the property.

Example: Sometimes real estate agents have not done their due diligence about what is necessary for the family to sell a property after the owner has died. A real estate lawyer ensures a smooth transfer of ownership.

5️⃣ Manage Closing
The closing process involves an avalanche of paperwork and ticking legal boxes, which can be daunting in an FSBO sale. Your lawyer oversees the closing, ensuring all documents are properly executed and all parties fulfill their obligations.

Why It Matters: A seamless closing process minimizes delays and errors, getting you to the finish line with peace of mind.

Why Choose Professional Guidance?
FSBO gives you control over the home-selling process, but it doesn’t have to mean doing it alone. A real estate lawyer acts as your advocate, helping you manage risks, protect your financial interests, and ensure legal compliance.

For a smooth, stress-free FSBO experience, let’s talk about how legal services can support your real estate journey. Drop a comment or message me to explore how I can help protect your interests every step of the way!

08/21/2025

✨ Testimonial Thursday ✨

When a client says “Leslie doesn’t see me as just another client—she truly cares” … that means everything to me. 💙

I’ve always believed real estate law isn’t just about property contracts and disputes—it’s about PEOPLE. It’s about making sure you feel heard, supported, and confident in every decision you make.

Nearly 40 years in, and I am still honored every single time someone chooses me to protect what matters most to them—their property, their business, their family... and ultimately their peace of mind. 🏡⚖️

👉 Whether you’re a landlord, investor, or business owner, don’t wait until a problem starts...or gets bigger—let’s talk about how to protect what is yours today. Message me to get started!

08/18/2025

Most people do not think about hiring a real estate attorney when they are buying or selling a property.

If they think of hiring a lawyer, it usually just for closing.. and that is far too late to catch most of the mistakes typically made by real estate agents.

The truth is that only 34% of real estate agents nationwide have a college degree and ony 13% have a graduate degree.

That means that most real estate transactions in the United States, which are usually the biggest financial transaction in most people's lives, are being handled by someone with only a high school disploma.

Moreover, real estate agents do not have any education or certification in contract law or the art of negotiation.

Even more disturbing --most real estate agents could not explain to you the meaning of their "fiduciary duty" to you nor the concept of "due diligence".

That is why lawsuits against sellers and their agents is on the rise and still growing every day.

So, who exactly is protecting your legal rights during this real estate transaction?

Do not believe that myth that you don't need a lawyer simply because you have a real estate agent. Let's bust that myth right now! 🚫

Having nearly 40 years of experience as a civil litigation attorney, here's why having a lawyer by your side is a must:

1️⃣ Double-Check Legal Paperwork: A lawyer reviews and revises every document before you sign it so that there are no mistakes or omissions which could come back to haunt you.

2️⃣ The Sellers Property Disclosure Form: This document is required by PA law so that the seller is required to disclose ALL defective conditions, both big and small, both present and past. Most listing agents do not give their clients any advice before completing this crucial document. That is why there has been a sharp rise in litigation against sellers for misrepresentation.

3️⃣ The Crucial Contingencies: Most real estate transactions include contingencies such as a home inspection contingency, a mortgage contingency, an appraisal contingencies. This is another part of the process where many mistakes are made.

Protect Your Legal Rights: The Real Estate Law Group is here to guard your interests and prevent costly mistakes for a very reasonable flat fee payable at settlement!

Imagine sitting comfortably at your closing, sipping coffee ☕, knowing all is handled. That's the peace of mind a lawyer brings!

Don't take unnecessary risks - invest in legal backup and keep your investments safe and sound.

Got questions? Wondering if you need a lawyer for your next big step? Drop them below and let's chat! 👇

08/15/2025

Hey Landlords! 🏢 Have a tenant looking to break their lease? Here's what you need to know!

1️⃣ Understand Their Reason
If a tenant has a legit reason, like a job transfer or unlivable conditions, they might be able to leave without penalty. Keeping a good relationship is key!

2️⃣ Consider the Practical Side
Trying to force someone to stay isn't always the best move. They might leave anyway, and unhappy tenants could cause trouble before they go. 🙅‍♂️ It might also cost more in legal fees than what you'd recover.

3️⃣ Protect Yourself
Use leases with clear rules for ending the lease early. This way, if it happens, you're covered for any costs while you find a new renter.

🤔 Need help with your lease? We draft IRONCLAD customized leases to protect YOU!