Real Estate Law
When you are buying and/or selling residential or commercial real estate, you need representation that protects your interests in the process. Our attorneys are experts in handling successful real estate transactions, all while providing our clients with top-notch representation of their interests. Thorough and fair-minded, our attorneys will be sure to get you to the closing table having negotiated the fairest transaction possible.
If you have already purchased a home and have discovered problems that were undisclosed by the previous owner, you should call us for a review of your situation right away. Sellers are required under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Seller’s Disclosure Act to disclose to potential buyers all known “material defects.” Sellers are also required to adhere to the terms of the Agreement of Sale and subsequent addendums. If a seller has failed in any of these duties, causing you to incur a financial loss, that seller may be liable to you. Our attorneys are well-versed in the requirements of sellers under the law and are prepared to act to obtain a result you deserve.
Joseph Caracappa
Joseph Caracappa is the Managing Partner at Caracappa, Cook, Scott & Ramagli PC since 1978. He holds a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law and a B.A. from Penn State University. With a background in clerking for judges, he specializes in business transactions, litigation, and estate administration. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and federal courts, he also served as an adjunct faculty member at Bucks County Community College. Beyond his legal career, Caracappa is actively involved in community service, including roles as a Big Brother and in various director and president positions for organizations like the Lower Bucks Family YMCA, Bethanna, ChoiceOne Pregnancy + Sexual Health Resource Centers, and World Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must one engage a realtor in order to sell real estate in Pennsylvania?
No. A real estate agent is not necessary to buy or sell real estate in Pennsylvania.
Must one engage a lawyer in order to buy or sell real estate in Pennsylvania?
No. A lawyer is not necessary to do so.
What if anything has to be disclosed to a buyer in a residential real estate transaction in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law requires that a seller disclose known problems and defects regarding the property to be sold.
Are there any fixed costs or expenses when transferring real estate in Pennsylvania?
Most PA counties assess a transfer tax equal to 2% of the sale price of the property.
