Basic Real Estate and Property Law for Paralegals

by Jeffrey A. Helewitz

Overview

This approachable textbook by Jeffrey A. Helewitz is a basic introduction to real estate law that lays out the foundations of the law in a readable, helpful format. A thorough yet manageable introduction with examples that clarify the paralegal’s role, Basic Real Estate and Property Law for Paralegals covers estates in land and future interests; titles; land use; conveyancing; closing procedures; condos, co-ops, and commercial property; and landlord-tenant law.

In the Sixth Edition, new cases bring fresh perspectives on the following topics:

• The Rule against Perpetuities
• Public nuisance claims
• Problems with covenants and horizontal privity
• Legal and ethical problems associated with securities backed by sub-prime mortgages
• Warranty of habitability and security deposits
• Bailments

Professors and students will benefit from:

• Helpful chapter pedagogy, including key terms, practical tips, ethical points, and chapter summaries, that reinforces the discussions in the book
• Edited cases in each chapter that give students practice reading and analyzing case decisions
• Legal forms in each chapter that provide examples and practice documents on a topic-by-topic basis
• Clear examples that help students understand the material
• Final chapter on personal property that introduces students to essential concepts of tangible and intangible property
• Extensive practice and review features with end-of-chapter review points, exercises, activities, and analytical situational analyses

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781543801101
Publisher:	Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
Publication date:	02/01/2019
Series:	Aspen Paralegal Series
Edition description:	6th ed.
Pages:	298
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Preface xv

Chapter 1 Estates in Land and Future Interests 1

Learning Objectives 1

Chapter Outline 2

Chapter Overview 2

Classifications of Estates 3

Freeholds 3

Life Estates 11

Leaseholds 12

Future Interests 13

Classifications 13

The Rule Against Perpetuities 15

Practical Tips 17

Chapter Review 18

Ethical Concern 18

Key Terms 19

Exercises 19

Situational Analysis 20

Edited Cases 20

Additional Case Analysis 31

Quick Quiz 31

Chapter 2 Rights Incident to Titles in Realty 33

Learning Objectives 33

Chapter Outline 34

Chapter Overview 34

Adverse Possession 35

Surface Rights 38

Water Rights 40

Nuisance 42

Fixtures 43

Waste 45

Emblements 47

Practical Tips 47

Chapter Review 48

Ethical Concern 48

Key Terms 48

Exercises 49

Situational Analysis 49

Edited Cases 49

Additional Case Analysis 63

Quick Quiz 63

Chapter 3 Land Use 65

Learning Objectives 65

Chapter Outline 66

Chapter Overview 66

Covenants 67

Easements 70

Licenses 73

Duty of Care 74

Zoning 75

Practical Tips 79

Chapter Review 80

Ethical Concern 81

Key Terms 81

Exercises 81

Situational Analysis 81

Edited Cases 82

Additional Case Analysis 89

Quick Quiz 90

Chapter 4 Conveyancing 91

Learning Objectives 91

Chapter Outline 92

Chapter Overview 93

Contracts for the Sale of Realty 94

Land Sales Contracts 94

Deeds 104

General Warranty Deed 106

Special Warranty Deed 107

Quitclaim Deed 107

Mortgages 108

Sub-prime Mortgages and the Credit Crunch 112

Priorities and Recording Statutes 113

Practical Tips 114

Chapter Review 115

Ethical Concern 115

Key Terms 116

Exercises 117

Situational Analysis 117

Edited Cases 117

Additional Case Analysis 133

Quick Quiz 133

Chapter 5 Real Estate Closing Procedures 147

Learning Objectives 147

Chapter Outline 148

Chapter Overview 148

Between the Contract of Sale and the Closing Date 149

The Purchaser 149

The Seller 154

The Closing 159

Post-Closing Procedures 160

Practical Tips 160

Chapter Review 161

Ethical Concern 161

Key Terms 161

Exercises 161

Situational Analysis 162

Edited Cases 162

Additional Case Analysis 183

Quick Quiz 184

Chapter 6 Condominiums, Cooperatives, and Commercial Property 185

Learning Objectives 185

Chapter Outline 185

Chapter Overview 186

Condominiums 186

Cooperatives 188

Condops 189

Commercial Property 189

Practical Tips 190

Chapter Review 191

Ethical Concern 191

Key Terms 191

Exercises 192

Situational Analysis 192

Edited Cases 192

Additional Case Analysis 198

Quick Quiz 198

Chapter 7 Landlord-Tenant Law 215

Learning Objectives 215

Chapter Outline 216

Chapter Overview 216

The Lease 217

Tenants' Duties 220

Landlord's Duties 222

Assignments and Subleases 223

Practical Tips 224

Chapter Review 225

Ethical Concern 225

Key Terms 225

Exercises 226

Situational Analysis 226

Edited Cases 226

Additional Case Analysis 237

Quick Quiz 238

Chapter 8 Personal Property 245

Learning Objectives 245

Chapter Outline 246

Chapter Overview 246

Categories of Personal Property 247

General Tangibles 247

Intangibles 248

Methods of Transferring Personal Property 250

Gifts 250

Bailments 251

Common Carriers and Innkeepers 253

Other Issues 254

Accession 254

Confusion 255

Practical Tips 255

Chapter Review 256

Ethical Concern 256

Key Terms 256

Exercises 257

Situational Analysis 257

Edited Cases 257

Additional Case Analysis 265

Quick Quiz 266

Appendix: Answers to the Quick Quizzes 267

Glossary 269

Index 277