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.
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...
House Lawyer: Is title insurance necessary for buyers?
By Harvey S. Jacobs August 15, 2014 I recently read an article in the Real Estate section about what buyers should know before closing. The article, however, did not deal with the question of title insurance for the buyer, as opposed to the lender. Does it make sense...
What you need to consider before buying a vacation home
By Harvey S. Jacobs July 25, 2014 Consider how often you will visit, and don't forget about year-round maintenance costs With the summer vacation season here, folks are spending halcyon days lounging at the beach or cooling off at a mountain cabin - dreams of buying...
More homes embracing universal design principles
By Harvey S. Jacobs May 30, 2014 Although universal design has been around since the 1960s, it is now gaining some much-needed attention as our society recognizes that all people should be able to live and function independently in their homes throughout their life...