Serving the Elmira community for generations, the DeFilippo Law Firm takes great pride in its longevity as well as its reputation for confidentiality, service, and accomplishment.
Residential Real Estate
The purchase or sale of a home or real property may be the single, largest financial transaction you will ever be involved in. With that level of investment and responsibility, there should be an equal level of trust in your attorney to represent your interests.
We represent individuals, businesses and other entities in the purchase and sale of all types of real property. Contacting DeFilippo FIRST before you buy or sell can be beneficial. Using the bank’s attorney may not be in YOUR best interest - or the quickest way. We are there for you throughout the whole process, not just at the closing.
Our services include:
Negotiation of the contract
Preparing and reviewing title documents
Working with the various parties to resolve title issues
Preparation, coordination and appearance at closing
Final accounting to client
With a short consultation, it is our goal that after you have made the decision to buy or sell real estate you will have the knowledge to enter the real estate market and be able to do so comfortably, without fear of being taken advantage of.
““My wife and I met Jim when we were purchasing a home from one of his clients. Through the process we had a difficult time getting information from our attorney. Nearly all of the information I received came directly from Jim’s client. During the process I was extremely impressed how satisfied Jim’s client seemed to be throughout the same process that was so frustrating to ourselves.
After purchasing the home, we still have our former home for sale. I asked Jim if he could handle that matter for us. We have met with Jim twice now about prospective purchasers. Each time he found time within 48 hours to review contracts and answer our questions. Though we have not sold our home to this point he returns my phone calls and answer my questions each time I call.”*
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““I am now retired. To this point in my life I have purchased 3 homes and sold 3 homes. When I purchased my first home I was told ‘use the bank attorney, it’s faster and less expensive.’ During the process, the first time I spoke to my attorney was at the closing.
When I listed my first home for sale and began looking for another home, I contacted Jim. He explained the complexities of selling a home and purchasing a home at the same time. Our realtor was wonderful in that she looked out for our interests and when we received a contract for the sale of our home Jim met with us immediately. He explained what we needed to add to the contract so as to be prepared when we found a home to purchase. When I did find a home to purchase, I had all of the information necessary to ensure that both contracts would work together.
In the end, working with Jim instead of ‘just using the bank attorney’ cut the anxiety of buying a home and cut the time it took to complete the process in half compared to the purchase of my first home. Calls were returned immediately and at no point in the process did I feel as though the work was not getting done in a timely matter.”*
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*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome
Preparing to Buy
If the DeFilippo Law Firm, P.L.L.C. is your first call, we can help you navigate every detail of your purchase. Whether you are purchasing your first, second or tenth home, we will help you do so as fully informed and as prepared as possible.
We can help you:
1. Find a reputable realtor.
Being able to provide your realtor all information necessary for a successful home purchase.
Know what you want in a contract so that when your realtor writes the contract it is written to protect your interests, and have realistic timetables.
2. Obtain financing.
We work with many local banks.
We can help you be as prepared as possible before you meet with a bank to obtain financing.
3. Prepare a purchase offer for a home that is for sale by owner.
Properties that are for sale by owner present unique circumstances.
4. Find a Home Inspector.
5. Determine what your closing costs will be.
6. Develop realistic timelines from the date the contract is signed until the date the closing will take place.
Unfortunately, many SELLERS and BUYERS make their first call to a:
Bank
Realtor
Family Member
Your first call should be to: The DeFilippo Law Firm, P.L.L.C. 607-734-8175
We will work with you every step of the way!
Preparing to Sell
Selling a home can be an emotional and stressful decision. Often there are issues that arise after the contract is signed that can result in delays or even deals falling through.
We can help you avoid these situations and try to resolve many of the common issues that cause unnecessary delay when selling your home.
Title Issues
Fence and driveway boundary line issues.
Ancient mortgages that have not been discharged properly.
Inspection
Obtain an inspection on your own to provide to sellers.
Most inspectors are willing to inspect your home and help you determine defects that will concern a buyer.
Provide you with a clean report to provide to buyers once you have made identified repairs. This can often reduce days of negotiations and weeks of delays while waiting for a buyer to obtain an inspection and estimates of repairs.
Cost
“How much much does it cost for the DeFilippo Law Firm, P.L.L.C. to represent my interests if I am buying or selling a home?”
In our experience, a half hour to hour consultation at our office gives you the greatest advantage when dealing with real estate. Our fee for this consultation is $150.00. However, we will credit you the sum of $75.00 at closing towards our fee. We believe the $75.00 you spend in the beginning will save you time and money in the end.
The total legal cost to you depends on what you would like us to do. The smallest expense usually represents a seller with no title issues. More complex transactions will incur additional expense.
What other costs that should you consider?
If you are a prospective purchaser, there are several practical questions you should ask yourself before buying a home:
Can I afford this?
Keep in mind that the price of the home itself is just one of many costs involved. Here is a partial list of some of the more common costs for buyers:
Taxes and municipal fees: often including, but not limited to these:
County taxes
School Taxes
City or Village Taxes
Water and Sewer Charge
Homeowners Insurance
Mortgage Insurance
Maintenance Costs
Closing Costs which often include the following:
Filing Transfer Tax Report
Filing Deed
Legal Costs
Prorated Tax Payments to Sellers
Purchase of Title Insurance
Filing Mortgage
Mortgage Tax Bank Fees
Tax Escrows Which Lender Requires to be paid in advance
Homeowner’s Insurance
Inspection Costs
What is the neighborhood like (including market values)?
How close is it to my support system and workplace?
Costs involved in selling a home:
Transfer Tax
Survey
Abstract or abstract update costs
Tax Searches
Legal Costs
Costs to file documents necessary to convey property
Realtors fees