how to ask seller's lawyer about proceeds on tenants in common real estate property

by Collin Kihn 10 min read

What happens if a tenant in common wants to sell?

What If a Tenant in Common Wants to Sell? When two or more people share ownership of property, the co-owners become tenants in common. If, for example, you and three friends bought a vacation home together, you would all become tenants in common. If you split the cost of the home equally, all four of you would have a 25 percent ownership stake.

What should a seller do when a tenant can't pay rent?

Court action and eviction is also an option if the tenant is unable to pay rent. While financial incentives can usually ease the situation, sellers shouldn't underestimate the benefits of being considerate to the tenant and respecting that the property is still the tenant's home while it's on the market.

Can a seller sell a house if the tenant is living there?

There are some things sellers can do to make a sale go more smoothly when a tenant is living in the property, regardless of whether the tenant will remain after the sale.

What does a real estate attorney do when selling a house?

Real estate attorneys help oversee home sales, from the moment the contract is signed through the negotiating period (aptly called the “attorney review”) to closing. A seller’s attorney reviews sales contracts, communicates terms in a professional manner and attends closings to prevent mishaps.

What is the advantage of being tenants in common?

One benefit of buying a home with a tenants in common agreement is that it may make it easier for you to get a home. Dividing up the necessary deposits and payments while splitting the cost of maintaining the property can make it more cost effective than just buying property alone.

What does TIC mean on a deed?

A tenancy in common investment (better known as a TIC) is an investment by the taxpayer in real estate which is co-owned with other investors. Since the taxpayer holds deed to real estate as a tenant in common, the investment qualifies under the like-kind rules of §1031.

Which of the following is most likely evidence of ownership in a cooperative?

Which of the following is MOST likely evidence of ownership in a cooperative? A) Shareholder's stock. The documents that show ownership in a cooperative are shares of stock in the cooperative corporation and a proprietary lease.

What is a TIC sale in real estate?

In a TIC, a buyer purchases a share of the actual property and a private tenancy-in-common agreement gives her the exclusive right to occupy her unit. Each buyer has her own loan, but because the property hasn't been cut into individual parcels like a condo, she shares the property tax. Business.

What are the pitfalls of tenants in common?

Tenants in common disadvantages include: A joint tenancy is simpler and you do not have to work out shares. If a co owner dies and they do not have a will in place, then the property will go through the probate process. This is costly and takes time, so your children may not receive your inheritance as quickly.

Can a tenant in common force a sale?

A tenant in common can petition the court to do a forced sale of the entire property. In this situation, the court takes control of the property and the court performs a forced sale. Once the property is sold, proceeds are distributed amongst the tenants according to their ownership interest.

Which of the following are cooperative residents usually responsible for?

Which of the following are cooperative residents usually responsible for? Both their own utility costs and maintaining the interior of their individual units.

What does T E mean in real estate?

Tenancy by entiretyTenancy by entirety (TBE) is a way for married couples to hold equal interest in a property as well as survivorship rights, which keep their property out of probate. It's not 50/50 ownership. With TBE, each spouse owns 100% of the property.

What is a legal entity that provides for ownership of property by one person for the benefit of another?

A trust is a fiduciary relationship in which one party, known as a trustor, gives another party, the trustee, the right to hold title to property or assets for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiary.

Is probate required for tenants in common?

Do Tenants in Common have to go through Probate? Yes, you'll still need to go through Probate after a tenant in common dies. This is because their share of the property is part of their Estate, so someone will still need to apply for the legal right to deal with the Estate and all its assets.

Can a surviving tenant in common sell the property?

If you hold your property as tenants in common and wish to sell the property following the death of your partner, as the property's legal owner, you have the right to do this. You can appoint an additional trustee in place of the deceased owner to give good receipt for purchase monies and enable the sale to proceed.

How does tenants in common work?

Where a property is owned as tenants in common, this means that each owner has their distinct share of the property. In the absence of a document which lists what share is owned by which owner it is assumed that each owner owns an equal share.

What are the benefits of tenant in common arrangements?

One of the primary benefits of tenants in common arrangements is ownership interests can be bequeathed to your heirs. While that helps owners protect their estates, it could prove problematic for co-owners if a designated heir wants to liquidate his or her shares. An owner who wants to sell the asset can force a sale of ...

How do co-owners resolve conflicts?

And in instances where the agreement doesn’t contain such verbiage, co-owners typically go through mediation and arbitration to resolve these types of conflicts. In arbitration, an impartial negotiator brings together all parties to discuss grievances and goals in the hopes of reaching a settlement that avoids costly litigation.

How many owners can a TIC have?

The only way the property can be sold without litigation is by unanimous agreement among the ownership group -- and since TICs can have up to 35 individual owners, it would be quite the accomplishment to get each owner to agree to sell. However, a dissenting co-owner in a TIC can still make things quite difficult for the other owners -- ...

What is a partition in a court?

Partition is a legal procedure wherein the asset is given to the court, which performs a forced sale via auction on the courthouse steps. Once the asset is disposed of, co-owners receive proceeds according to their pro-rata shares.

Can a tenant hold unequal shares?

Commercial real estate investors often purchase individual interests in TIC properties to complete 1031 exchanges and defer capital gains taxes on the sale of investment properties. Tenants in common can hold unequal shares, and they also are free to sell those shares independently from other co-owners. Some TIC investors wonder, though, ...

What happens if a real estate transaction does not work out?

Should the real estate transactions not work out, pending litigation is usually the end result. Real estate lawyers represent their clients in real estate litigation. This includes drafting legal pleadings to file with the judge, participating in hearings and trial with the judge, and filing appeals if necessary.

What is the role of a real estate lawyer?

One of the key roles a real estate lawyer plays is that of document drafter. Real estate attorneys prepare deeds for conveyance transactions, leases and rental agreements, purchase contracts and financing agreements.

Why is my offer rejected?

Failure to do so may result in your offer being rejected because it wasn’t communicated properly, or worse yet, being accepted and since your offer wasn’t drafted properly, you’re negatively impacted. Upon acceptance of buyer’s offer, it is customary for the seller’s attorney to prepare the Contract of Sale.

Why do real estate lawyers act as guardians?

This then allows the real estate lawyer to act as guardian for their clients to make sure the clients don’t end up in any legal pitfalls.

Is it important to hire a real estate attorney?

Finding a real estate attorney or hiring a real estate attorney is very important. Just because a lawyer says they are a real estate attorney, does not mean that they are competent enough to accomplish what you need. You’ll need a real estate lawyer familiar with compound interest, annual interest rate, home sales, ...

Can a high end real estate title be a lien?

In addition, high-end real estate may be subject to several liens, encumbrances, or judgments . A proper title search and an experienced real estate lawyer is the best way to ensure that these issues do not pass to the buyer on settlement day.

Is a real estate attorney familiar with the New York laws?

Not only is a real estate attorney familiar with the steps involved in the process, but will be familiar with the New York laws involved and can advise you while steering you in the right direction to best accomplish your goals.

What to do when tenant doesn't have a stake in the sale of the property?

Since a tenant doesn't have a stake in the sale of the property (and may even be in the process of moving out), it's important that you, the seller, take some responsibility for keeping the property in show-worthy condition. Help the tenant find a new residence, if needed.

What are the characteristics of a tenant when selling a house?

A tenant who doesn't keep up with housekeeping, isn't responsive to communication, or is just generally difficult will only hinder your selling efforts.

What do you do if you are a month to month tenant?

If the tenant is month-to-month, then all that you or a new buyer would need to do to end the tenancy is to give the amount of notice required under state law. If the property is in a rent-controlled area, however, you'll want to check the applicable laws to make sure that the new buyers could end the rental agreement.

What happens if a tenant ignores the renegotiated terms?

If the tenant decides to ignore the renegotiated terms and remains in the property beyond the closing, the new owner can be put in the situation of having to evict the tenant. The new owner could then hold you legally responsible for all costs associated with the eviction.

What to do if tenant is behind in rent?

If the tenant is staying on and is behind in rent, it's time to take action. A delinquent tenant is not a good selling point. One option may be to forgive the delinquency in exchange for the tenant moving out. Court action and eviction is also an option if the tenant is unable to pay rent.

What do you need to take into account when selling a property?

For purposes of advertising and showing the property to its best advantage, you'll need to take into account both the tenant's rights under the lease or rental agreement as well as state or local law, and your own needs as a seller.

Can you end a tenancy before selling?

You might have some options for ending the tenancy before the sale is complete if you believe not having a tenant will help the sale. If you decide to have a tenant in the property while you're selling, you'll want to ensure that the tenant is happy and cooperative. (Then again, maybe the tenant wants to buy the property!

Can you own a house with your brother?

According to your attorney, that’s what the estate planning documents say. You now own the inherited home as tenants in common with your brother. Unfortunately, there’s no real estate laws that govern this scenario. Your options are limited.

Is broker commission considered fair market?

While broker’s commissions won’t be considered in the fair market valuation , there’s intra-family relationship and other sentimental issues that impact buy-outs between co-owner siblings. Valuation is in the eye of the beholder.

What is a real estate attorney?

If you’re financially underwater and contemplating a short sale or foreclosure, a real estate attorney (along with your agent) is one of the experts authorized to negotiate with your lender on your behalf.

Can you sell a house with multiple owners?

Whether you’re selling property that you own with a spouse or one that you’ve shared with siblings, a sale with multiple owners can dissolve into chaos if there’s no agreement in place (such as a joint tenancy or living trust). While a real estate agent is a neutral party in this situation, an attorney can ensure there are no conflicts of interest — or be prepared to go to court in a partition action if necessary.

Is a realtor neutral?

While a real estate agent is a neutral party in this situation , an attorney can ensure there are no conflicts of interest — or be prepared to go to court in a partition action if necessary. Sometimes even a sale with one owner can turn adversarial, though.

Did Herzberg sell a condo?

Herzberg handled the sale of a Miami Beach condo that the seller inherited from a relative. It had been transferred through a quitclaim deed, but because the death certificate hadn’t been filed with the deed 20 years ago, he had to obtain another death certificate and record it with the sale to provide a clear title.

Why do you need an attorney for real estate?

An attorney helps you protect your investment and assets while ensuring you’re conducting your side of the transaction legally — which can prevent costly missteps. Real estate attorneys are required in many states, but even if you aren’t legally required to use an attorney while selling, it can be a good idea.

What is a real estate attorney?

Real estate attorneys help oversee home sales, from the moment the contract is signed through the negotiating period (aptly called the “attorney review”) to closing. A seller’s attorney reviews sales contracts, communicates terms in a professional manner and attends closings to prevent mishaps. Selling a home is a complex process ...

How much does a real estate attorney charge?

How much does a real estate attorney cost? How much you’ll pay for real estate attorney fees depends on your market and how involved they are in the transaction, but they typically charge a flat rate of $800 to $1,200 per transaction. Some attorneys charge hourly, ranging from $150 to $350 per hour.

What to do if you inherited a home?

An attorney can help you navigate the complexities. Estate sale: If you inherited the home you’re selling, hiring an attorney to sort through ownership documents can ease the burden, which is especially helpful when you’re grieving the loss of a family member.

Who is responsible for underwriting title insurance?

Title company: A representative of the title company is responsible for underwriting the title insurance and transferring the clean title of the home to the buyer.

Who hires an inspector to inspect a house?

Inspector: The inspector is hired by the buyer. Their job is to make sure the buyer knows about everything that may need to be repaired on the home. Sellers also sometimes hire an inspector to do a pre-inspection so they can make any necessary repairs before putting the house on the market.

Do you need an attorney for a closing?

In 21 states and the District of Columbia, attorneys are legally required as part of the closing process. Attorney-required states include: As a best practice, if the other party in your transaction has a lawyer representing them and supporting their best interests, you should too.

What happens if an owner becomes incompetent before signing a power of attorney?

If an owner becomes incompetent before signing a power of attorney, then only a guardian appointed by the court can act. Obtaining a court order requires the filing of a petition, publication of legal notices, costs money and takes time. Hopefully your seller did some estate planning.

Who has the power to sell or lease a deceased person's real estate?

A representative (s) has the power to sell or lease the deceased person’s real estate as long as the real estate has not been specifically devised to someone in a Will. Accordingly, it is a good idea to take a look at the Will to make sure the real estate was not given to someone before you list it.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a document by which an owner (principal) appoints another person (agent) to act for the owner. It is used when the owner is living but unable to act for himself. Do not confuse the use of the word “agent” with real estate agent.

What are the duties of an agent under a power of attorney?

An agent (s) under a power of attorney or a representative (s) in an estate has certain duties: (1) exercise the powers for the benefit of the principal (owner) (2) keep personal assets separate from those ...

Who must sign the listing contract?

Remember that all of the authorized agents under the power of attorney or representatives in an estate must sign the listing agreement, disclosure documents, etc. For example, when there are two executors in an estate, then they both must sign the Listing Contract.

Can a power of attorney be used when the principal is living?

Another limitation of a power of attorney document is that it may only be used when the principal is living. After, the power of attorney is no longer effective and an estate must be opened with the county court where the principal resided.

Who is appointed by the court to handle the principal's assets including real estate?

A representative is then appointed by the court to handle the principal’s assets including real estate. If a person died with a Will, the representative (s) named in the Will is appointed by the court and referred to as an executor (s). A person who dies without a Will has an administrator (s) appointed by the court.

What are the lawsuits against real estate agents?

Some other common lawsuits filed against real estate agents include: Failing to Disclose a Property Defect: The seller or buyer is ultimately responsible for disclosing any property defects involved in a real estate sale.

What are some examples of real estate?

Some examples of what a real estate agent does include: Handling standard client forms; Drafting and preparing offers and other related paperwork; Providing satisfactory customer service if a client has an issue;

What is monetary damages in real estate?

In the majority of real estate related lawsuits, a court will award monetary damages to a plaintiff who has been wronged by a real estate agent. These awards could include: Compensatory damages associated with a breach of contract or misrepresentation.

What is a real estate agent?

Simply put, a real estate agent is a licensed professional who is authorized to conduct real estate business in a given state. They represent buyers or sellers of real estate, which is essentially property consisting of land and the buildings on it. Real estate agents have obtained an education and training in all matters related to real estate, ...

What is due care in real estate?

Due care is essentially what a reasonable or prudent person would do under the same circumstances. In this case, it would be what a fellow real estate agent would have done. A client may claim that their real estate agent knew or should have known something, but failed to take any action to prevent or address it.

What are remedies in equity?

Remedies in equity, such as the agent being required by the court to cancel the contract they breached, through rescission; or. Other damages such as emotional distress, or any other injury damages that may have occurred due to the actions of the real estate agent.

Can you sue a real estate agent for lying?

In addition to the lawsuits listed above, you may also be able to sue a real estate agent for lying. However, suing for a lie or misrepresentation is not as simple as it sounds. The nature of the lie will have a huge impact on the legality of such a suit.