Real Estate Law

Real Estate Transactions and Sales Agreement Attorney in Pennsylvania

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Most real estate disputes are not caused by bad intentions. They are caused by bad drafting.

A real estate transaction is a legal contract first and a business deal second. When agreements rely on form language, unchecked assumptions, or one-size-fits-all templates, small issues at the contract stage turn into expensive problems after closing.

Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. represents buyers, sellers, and small business owners in residential and light commercial real estate transactions throughout Western Pennsylvania, with additional support for Florida transactions involving snowbirds and dual-state property owners.

For title problems, inherited property, or ownership disputes, see our Real Estate Issues page.

What We Handle

We draft and negotiate Pennsylvania real estate purchase and sale agreements, review and revise PAR Agreements of Sale and other broker-prepared contracts, and represent buyers and sellers in private transactions without a realtor. We handle residential home purchases and sales, light commercial transactions for small businesses and owner-operators, lease-to-purchase and nonstandard transaction structures, seller disclosure compliance and post-closing disclosure disputes, and coordination with title companies, lenders, and tax professionals.

Purchase and Sale Agreement Drafting

The purchase and sale agreement controls everything that follows. Price is only one term. Inspection rights, financing contingencies, repair obligations, default remedies, deposit protection, closing conditions, possession, and risk allocation all matter just as much.

Many transactions begin with a PAR Agreement of Sale prepared by a broker. These forms are widely used but not tailored to every transaction. Material risk often goes unaddressed. We draft, review, revise, and negotiate agreements designed to protect deposits and enforcement rights, reduce ambiguity, and anticipate the failure points that generate disputes.

Pennsylvania Seller Disclosure Obligations

Under Pennsylvania’s Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law, 68 Pa. C.S. §§ 7301–7315, sellers of residential property are required to disclose known material defects before closing. The obligation is specific and written — sellers must complete a disclosure form covering structural conditions, mechanical systems, water and sewer, environmental issues, and other material facts affecting the property.

Failure to disclose known defects does not disappear at closing. A buyer who discovers a material problem after taking title may have a claim against the seller under the Disclosure Law, or in fraud or misrepresentation, depending on what the seller knew and when. We advise sellers on disclosure compliance before listing and represent buyers who discover post-closing problems that should have been disclosed.

Post-Closing Obligations and Surviving Covenants

Not every obligation ends at closing. Deed restrictions, easements, HOA covenants, municipal code requirements, and certain contractual obligations run with the land and bind subsequent owners. Buyers who do not review these obligations before closing sometimes discover after the fact that the property they purchased carries maintenance duties, use restrictions, or assessments they did not anticipate.

Attorney review before closing identifies these obligations. Discovery after closing is significantly more expensive to address.

Private Real Estate Transactions Without Realtors

Not every transaction requires a broker. Every transaction requires a lawyer. We regularly represent buyers and sellers in private transactions with no agent managing deadlines, contingencies, or contract structure. We handle contract preparation and negotiation, transaction timelines, closing coordination, and the legal risk that would otherwise fall entirely on the parties.

Florida Transactions and Snowbird Representation

We assist clients who own property in both Pennsylvania and Florida, are purchasing or selling Florida property as seasonal residents, or need coordinated legal guidance across jurisdictions. Where appropriate, we work alongside Florida counsel to ensure continuity and consistency in transaction planning.

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