Moving from house to house? There are many aspects to keep in mind when moving. You have to be aware of not only your old property that you are selling, but the new property, as well as any issues that may come up. Planning out everything in advance with an experienced real estate professional can help ensure this process to be a seamless transition and will provide you with the care and information you need to begin your new life. Keep these important tips in mind when moving from house to house:

1. Closing Plan — Closing on a house typically takes around 40 days. It’s important to always have a backup plan if the closing date gets pushed back even further for any number of reasons. Having a place that can be used to store many of your larger items is essential while moving. Discuss temporary living arrangements with family members or hotel clerks.

 

2. Purchasing Contract — Once you have entered into a purchasing contract, make sure a closing date has been specified. Within four to 10 weeks is the average but it varies depending on the state.

 

3. Property Development — Focusing on property development of your new and old home can help increase the value of your old home, as well as improve your new one. According to the National Association of Realtors, about 77% of all homebuyers have an inspection done before they finish purchasing of the home. Doing this will enable you to prepare for all the maintenance once you actually move in and can help solve any potential problems. If the property owners you are purchasing from are withholding necessary information, there are plenty of personal property law cases that can assist you.

 

4. Real Estate Attorney — Consulting with a real estate attorney before, during, and after the home buying process is extremely important. They are professionals who are there to ensure a fair and stress-free buying process. They understand property law and can assist in any home purchasing conflict, no matter the situation.

Consulting with a real estate attorney, having a strategy regarding the closing date, successfully enforcing property development methods, and reviewing the contract can all help the home buying process be as easy as possible for you.

Boundary disputes are some of the most common problems in real estate law today, and if you’ve encountered a boundary dispute with your neighbor, it’s important to realize that you’re definitely not alone! The best way to approach any boundary dispute is to contact a real estate attorney and discuss the problem at hand, along with possible solutions.

With that in mind, here’s a quick guide about what you should expect during a boundary dispute with your neighbor:

• Most homebuyers (around 77%) have inspections done on a home before purchasing it in order to identify any necessary repairs — and also to clarify things like boundaries between properties. If you’ve encountered a boundary dispute after purchasing a new home, the problem might really be as simple as a misunderstanding or miscommunication of where one property ends and another begins. It’s important to make sure that you have records of any inspections done prior to the dispute.
• Many homeowners turn to real estate lawyers who also serve as negotiators/mediators and will work out a solution without taking the case to court (which can be very expensive and time-consuming). You may also consider calling a land surveyor to make an unbiased report on the disputed boundary line.
• There are few more drastic ways to approach the problem as well, but it’s important to understand that these may not end well unless you have a strong case. You can sue your neighbor for trespassing on your property, for example, but you might end up living next to your enemy after the whole process is over (and no one would be happy in that situation).
• It’s common for two neighbors to get along well until the issue of property improvements is at stake. Similar to California’s Statute of Frauds regarding three types of contracts, you’ll need to receive official approval (usually in the form of a paper permit) to make certain improvements to your property before beginning construction. Without the prior approval, your neighbors will likely be able to take legal action against you if they decide they aren’t pleased with your new home improvement project (and vice versa).

All in all, you’ll want to make sure that you consider your options before taking a boundary dispute to court. Many real estate lawyers can negotiate a settlement for these disputes which please both parties involved. It’s estimated that around 95% of cases can be handled outside of the courtroom, and a good real estate law firm will be able to help you navigate the process — even if it ends up involving court.