Articles
Harvey S. Jacobs has a long, established history of writing about legal issues. His articles have been published all over, with his column “The House Lawyer” being published in the Washington Post for over a decade.
Montgomery Co. considers controversial bill requiring home sellers to test for radon
By Harvey S. Jacobs October 30, 2015 In Maryland, home sellers who know that their homes have elevated radon levels are required to disclose that information to prospective buyers. However, at present, home sellers have no duty to measure the radon levels in their...
How to figure out the value of your home
By Harvey S. Jacobs June 25, 2015 I co-own a rowhouse in the hot U Street area with my ex-partner. He wants to buy me out of the property which has appreciated quite a bit since we purchased it in 2001. My ex has proposed a selling price. When I ask how he determined...
Taking a stand against an unsatisfactory hardwood floor
By Harvey S. Jacobs June 12, 2015 We have lived in our newly built townhome for a little over one year. The builder advertised it as luxury, upscale and high-end. We have had numerous problems, but the biggest one is the hardwood flooring. The flooring was an issue...
Nasty neighbor? Here’s how to sue him.
By Harvey S. Jacobs April 23, 2015 I am a Realtor and recently sold a townhome to a nice young family. They have learned that there is a very abusive neighbor who has made their lives a living hell. He shows up at their door with his German shepherd dog and yells at...
House Lawyer | How tenants can use eviction law to target bad landlords
By Harvey S. Jacobs March 19, 2015 When one hears the word eviction, one might conjure images of a sheriff's deputy and a moving crew showing up at a rental property and forcibly depositing the tenant's possessions at the curb. But there is another, lesser known type...
You really can buy a luxury condo in South Florida for $1, but there’s a big catch
By Harvey S. Jacobs January 23, 2015 Pssst. Want to buy a luxury condo in warm South Florida for just $1? You can buy a luxury two-bedroom, two-bath condominium on a golf course in Boynton Beach, Fla., and many other warm-weather locations for $1. What's more, many of...
Md. regulation discourages referrals by real estate agents
By Harvey S. Jacobs November 14, 2014 If you live in Maryland and your real estate agent refuses to refer you to a mortgage lender, he isn't being rude. Real estate agents making referrals to service providers in Maryland can now be fined up to $5,000 if they violate...
House Lawyer: New federal loan guidelines ease the sting of ‘zombie foreclosures’
By Harvey S. Jacobs September 26, 2014 Homeowners who have been discharged in bankruptcy and who have lost their home to a foreclosure can now get back in the home-buying game in as little as two years, thanks to new Fannie Mae waiting period guidelines. Before...
Judgments against a person who has same name as you can complicate a title search
By Harvey S. Jacobs August 29, 2014 I recently read your column regarding title insurance and would like your perspective on a request recently made of me by the title insurance company that the buyer of my condo has selected. I have a condo on the market that is...