Real Estate Law
Your Trusted Partner for Real Estate Success
Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a commercial property, negotiating a lease, or resolving a boundary dispute, having an experienced real estate attorney protecting your interests makes all the difference. At Abernethy, Hagerman & Miller, P.C. we understand that real estate transactions are significant financial decisions and we’re here to help you navigate them with confidence.
From our law offices in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, we assist clients throughout the region with residential and commercial real estate matters. Each transaction is unique, and we provide the individualized approach necessary to help you close deals efficiently while protecting your best interests.
Comprehensive Real Estate Services
We assist buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, investors, developers, and others with all matters related to real property transactions and disputes, including:
Residential Real Estate
- Purchase agreements and sales contracts
- Home closings and title transfers
- Residential leases for landlords and tenants
- First-time homebuyer guidance
- Investment property transactions
- Refinancing transactions
Commercial Real Estate
- Commercial purchase and sale agreements
- Commercial property closings
- Commercial title insurance
- Lease negotiations for office, retail, and industrial space
- Subleases and lease assignments
- Build-to-suit agreements
Property Rights and Disputes
- Easements and right-of-way issues
- Boundary disputes between neighbors
- Title defects and quiet title actions
- Zoning and land use matters
- Adverse possession claims
Regardless of whether you’re an experienced real estate investor or a first-time homebuyer, our attorneys are well-prepared to help you. We can prepare, review, and negotiate all necessary real estate documents related to your transaction.
Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney
With any real estate transaction, there’s risk. Our goal is to help you understand and minimize those risks by:
Analyzing Your Transaction
- Review all documents thoroughly before you sign
- Identify potential problems early
- Evaluate risks specific to your situation
- Explain complex legal terminology in plain English
Developing Your Strategy
- Understand your goals and priorities
- Create a negotiation strategy that protects your interests
- Plan from initial offer through closing
- Address your unique challenges and concerns
Protecting Your Investment
- Ensure proper title transfer
- Identify and resolve title defects
- Review title insurance policies
- Handle recording of deeds and mortgages
- Verify all closing costs and calculations
Before a purchase or sale, be aware of essential areas of caution. We help you navigate the intricacies of each situation, anticipate potential issues, and close transactions quickly while protecting your interests.
Property Tax Assessment Appeals
Is your property tax bill too high? You’re not alone. Abernethy, Hagerman & Miller, P.C. is based in Allegheny County, and with near-constant reassessment requests by school districts and the large countywide reassessment of 2013, we’ve acquired extensive experience with property tax assessment appeals.
Unfortunately, unrealistic, unfair, and unreasonable valuations of real property occur more often than they should resulting in significantly higher property taxes for you.
Can You Challenge Your Assessment?
Yes! If you have a legal or equitable interest in the property, you have the right to challenge property tax assessments. Our real estate tax law attorneys help property owners bring challenges to unjustified property valuations.
Our Property Tax
Appeal Process:
- Review Your Assessment — We examine your current valuation and compare it to similar properties
- Evaluate Your Case — We advise whether there’s a solid basis for an appeal
- Navigate County Procedures — Each county has slightly different processes; we know them all
- Fight for Lower Assessments — We present compelling evidence to support a reduction
- Reduce Your Tax Burden — Our goal is keeping you from paying higher taxes than appropriate
We’ll gladly review your real estate assessment each year at a modest cost and advise you when we believe there’s a solid case for contesting a valuation. We pinpoint and challenge inaccurate or inflated property tax assessments on our clients’ behalf.
Lease Review and Negotiation
Commercial and residential leases are crucial to your success whether you’re a landlord or tenant. We help you:
For Landlords:
- Draft comprehensive lease agreements that protect your property
- Include proper provisions for maintenance, repairs, and improvements
- Structure rent escalation clauses and security deposits
- Address default and eviction procedures
- Comply with Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law
For Tenants:
- Review and negotiate favorable lease terms
- Understand your rights and obligations
- Address concerns about rent increases and renewals
- Negotiate improvement allowances and modifications
- Protect your business interests
Office leases and commercial agreements are particularly important they can make or break your business. We review them carefully and give you the knowledge you need to effectively house your operation and achieve your goals.
Our Commitment to You
We customize our legal counsel to align with each client’s priorities and unique circumstances. Our entire focus is helping you achieve your real estate goals efficiently and cost-effectively.
Whether you’re:
- Buying your first home
- Selling investment property
- Negotiating a commercial lease
- Resolving a boundary dispute
- Appealing an unfair tax assessment
- Closing a complex transaction
…we’re here to provide the experienced guidance you need.
Let's Talk About Your Real Estate Needs
We look forward to reviewing your real estate tax bill or any legal issue involving your property in Allegheny County or nearby areas.
Contact us today:
- Call: 412-364-5000
- Email: Send an inquiry through our website for a prompt response
- Visit: Our offices in 3960 William Flinn Hwy. Allison Park, PA 15101
We’re eager to hear about your concerns and explain how we can help. Let us put our experience to work protecting your real estate interests and helping you achieve your property goals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Real Estate Law
Do I need a lawyer for a simple residential real estate transaction?
Yes! Even “simple” transactions can have hidden issues title defects, survey problems, zoning violations, undisclosed liens, or unfavorable contract terms. Having an attorney review everything before you sign protects you from costly problems. For most people, buying a home is their largest financial transaction it deserves proper legal protection.
How can I appeal my property tax assessment?
If you believe your property is over-assessed, you can challenge it through your county’s assessment appeal process. We review your assessment, research comparable properties, gather evidence to support a lower valuation, file the necessary paperwork within strict deadlines, and represent you at hearings. Many successful appeals result in significant tax savings year after year.
Can you help resolve boundary disputes with neighbors?
Yes. We handle boundary disputes through various methods including reviewing surveys and deeds, researching property records, negotiating with neighbors and their attorneys, obtaining boundary line agreements, and if necessary, pursuing or defending quiet title actions in court. Most disputes can be resolved through negotiation, but we’re prepared to litigate when needed.