Real estate developers, investors and lenders come to Attorney Bradley Warren Weidenbaum for his business approach to real estate transactions and understanding of their needs. They stay with him because of the reasonable fees that result from his firm's size, location, and efficient staffing of real estate transactions and related litigation. In all transactions, the goal is to enable the client to make the deal happen. Firm clients include both sophisticated real estate players and relative newcomers, and Mr. Weidenbaum tailors his services accordingly.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Weidenbaum was in the real estate field for twenty years, and has been a licensed Real Estate Broker since 1985. He is a licensed broker in Pennsylvania and Michigan, well versed in hot topics and concerns in the industry. Mr. Weidenbaum is approved by the Pennsylvania Attorneys Title Insurance Company, and is also an accredited teacher at the Pocono Real Estate Academy.
From the offer all the way through closing, Mr. Weidenbaum offers clients broad based legal advice and representation in areas such as:
- Real Estate Sales Transactions
- Closings (Settlements)
- Development Agreements
- Construction Contracts
- Leases
- Easements
- Mortgage-Based Financing Transactions
- Mechanics Loans
- Foreclosures
- Title Issues, including searches
- Title Insurance Matters
- Tax-Free Exchanges
- Real Estate Tax Protests.
Questions and Answers For Clients Buying or Building a Home
Buying or building a home is probably the most significant financial transaction that anyone undertakes in their lifetime. It is an exciting time, although the process often becomes confusing and intimidating. Without the proper legal guidance, the process can be frustrating, overwhelming, and more expensive than necessary. This can be particularly true in the arena of new home construction, as residential new home construction is a relatively unregulated industry in Pennsylvania.
Attorney Bradley Warren Weidenbaum works extensively with Pennsylvania buyers as well as out-of-state buyers from New York and surrounding areas to make sure that their emotional and financial investment in a real estate transaction is properly protected. He has the knowledge necessary to ensure that the transaction proceeds according to plan, with no unpleasant surprises. When clients retain Mr. Weidenbaum, they get not only the legal ability and experience required to properly complete the transaction, but also the care, concern, and commitment you would expect from someone who wants to see his clients receive exactly what they bargained for in their contract.
Building a Home
In Pennsylvania, great opportunities exist for new residential construction. Given the state's current lack of regulatory scrutiny regarding residential construction, home builders should always consult an attorney to avoid unpleasant surprises during construction. Attorney Bradley Warren Weidenbaum spent eleven years with a major building company, working closely with new home construction projects. He knows the construction process and how to complete it quickly, efficiently, and economically.
Buying a Home - The Contract
The first step on the road to a new home is finding it and executing the contract. Real estate agents tirelessly show buyers properties until a perfect match is made. The next step is to complete a standard Board of Realtors form contract that is an offer to purchase. The agent then typically presents the offer to the seller. While the seller may accept the offer immediately, oftentimes the seller makes some changes to the contract and sends it back as a counteroffer. This can go back and forth a few times until both the buyer and seller have agreed to the terms. At this time, you have a contract.
Loan Transactions
Once you have a ratified contract for the purchase of your home, the next step is to procure financing. As an attorney with two decades of experience as a real estate agent and broker, Attorney Bradley Warren Weidenbaum is of great assistance in providing information about various lenders and lending programs that are right for each unique financial situation.
In today's real estate market, purchasers look for conventional sources of financing from lending institutions and from private investors. Regardless of who the lender might be, each transaction involves the preparation and negotiation of numerous documents. The documents include promissory notes, deeds of trust, security agreements, financing statements, guarantees, and loan agreements. Mr. Weidenbaum has the knowledge and expertise to prepare all documents and to review and explain the legal effect of all of these documents in plain English. Mr. Weidenbaum works with clients at all stages to fulfill the requirements set forth in lender's commitment letter. Problems discovered early on in the process can oftentimes be easily resolved so that settlement can proceed without needless delay.
Getting Ready for Settlement
When you hire Attorney Bradley Warren Weidenbaum to handle your real estate transaction you can relax, as he works closely with clients, real estate agents, lenders, and sellers to ensure a smooth and timely settlement. One of the first orders of business is a title search. The title search is conducted at the courthouse and results in a written report of the full legal history of the property known as an "abstract of title." Mr. Weidenbaum carefully examines the title abstract to determine that there areno so-called "clouds" or defects on the title that might have a negative impact on ownership rights to the property. He also prepares a title insurance commitment to lenders and orders and examines a survey of the property. As the time for settlement approaches, Mr. Weidenbaum coordinates the scheduling of the settlement with the buyer, the seller, the real estate agents, and the lender. He reviews the contract and loan documents, obtains payoff information for existing loans on the property and prepares the settlement sheet and all necessary closing documentation.
Title Insurance
Title documents and records do not reveal whether signatures in prior deeds are genuine, whether prior owners were competent to transfer property, or whether there is some fraudulent release or other unrecorded defect in the title. Lenders requires a title insurance policy to protect the loan should there be some problem related to the title that is not revealed by the title search. Buyers can obtain owner's title insurance to protect their ownership interest in the property.
The Settlement
Settlement is simply the time when the purchaser and seller meet and transfer the title to the property. The deed, loan documents, and other legally required documents are signed and all funds are obtained and then disbursed. Mr. Weidenbaum ensures that the process is conducted according to the terms of the contract, the lender's instructions, and all applicable Pennsylvania laws. The settlement sheet (also called the HUD-1) records all financial details of the transaction including your purchase price, deposit, lender charges, transfer taxes, and required escrows.
After Settlement
After clients have left Mr. Weidenbaum's law office with the keys to their new home, he promptly files and records the necessary documents in the land records, pays the transfer and recordation taxes, disburses the funds collected at settlement, and forwards all necessary documents to the lender. He also ensures that the seller's loan is paid off, obtains and records necessary releases, and sends clients the deed and title insurance policy when they have been returned from the recording authority. Mr. Weidenbaum is always available to answer additional questions or concerns that may have arisen after settlement.
There is an inequality of power and material resources in the criminal justice system. The government has a large staff of lawyers, police and agents, sophisticated crime labs and experts, and a huge budget provided by the taxpayers. This gives them a tremendous advantage because the legal system is based on the premise that "the whole truth" is that presented at the trial. If a defendant cannot challenge the government's case, or submit his or her own witnesses, then the jury by default will probably accept as true whatever evidence the prosecutor produces. In order to meet this challenge, Attorney Bradley Warren Weidenbaum seeks to meet the prosecutor fact for fact. His strength lies in preparation, investigation, motion practice, and trial presentation. Over the years, he has successfully represented clients in all types of state and federal criminal cases, from minor infractions and misdemeanors to the most serious felonies, including:
- Violent Offenses such as assault, battery, burglary, domestic violence, murder, vehicular manslaughter, stalking, manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery, arson, carjacking, and home invasion.
- White Collar Offenses such as embezzlement, perjury, fraud, money laundering, larceny, wire fraud, mail fraud, theft, forgery, credit card fraud, extortion, internet theft, computer crimes, including computer hacking, computer theft, and computer fraud.
- Drug and Narcotic Offenses such as narcotics trafficking, distribution, possession, transportation, possession for sale, marijuana cultivation, and manufacturing.
- Drug Forfeiture Cases
- Juvenile Crimes
- Felony and Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses including Drunk Driving, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), and Driving Under the Influence of Narcotics.
- Drunk Driving/DUI/DWI. A DUI - DWI conviction in Pennsylvania carries with it heavy penalties, including: a permanent criminal record; suspension or loss of license; increased insurance rates; community service; possible jail or prison time; alcohol assessment and treatment; probation; vehicle immobilization or forfeiture; serious fines; possible job loss. If you have been arrested or accused of drunk driving, DUI, DWI, vehicular homicide, or any other alcohol-related criminal offense, you are probably frightened, confused, and concerned about your future and that of your family. The selection of an experienced attorney is the first step towards regaining control of your life.
Bradley Warren Weidenbaum
Route 209 & Scott Street
P.O. Box 721
Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania 18322
Telephone: (570) 992-3900
Fax: (570) 992-3917
E-mail: postergo@epix.net
