Posts by: Judyann M. Lee

To see articles written by our attorneys on a range of topics, just use the links to the right.
The As-Is Clause In Real Estate: Is It Enforceable?

It seems like an easy thing to do when selling a property: just hand over the keys and include an “as-is” clause in the contract. After all, caveat emptor – “buyer beware.” But do you really know what an as-is clause means? It’s more complex than it seems, and it doesn’t mean the buyer can’t…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee

Pros & Cons of Downsizing Your Office Space in D.C.

Looking through the local news recently, I noticed an article about D.C. companies making significant changes to their office spaces. Notably, statistics show that more and more businesses are choosing to downsize their spaces and move to other locations. In the age of Zoom meetings and hybrid working environments, many companies are rethinking their need…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Make Key Changes Following The Tragic Surfside Condominium Collapse

The Collapse In the early morning hours of June  24, 2021, the Champlain Towers South Condominium, a 12-story beachfront condominium in Surfside, Florida, collapsed as people watched in horror.  Ninety-eight people died and dozens were injured.  Soon afterward it was revealed that the condominium had structural problems that went unaddressed for several years.  Its concrete…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee

Want to Put Your Home on Airbnb? Read this first!

Are you thinking about offering your home as a short-term vacation rental?  Next to driving for Uber, short-term vacation rentals are the latest craze in side-hustles.  But before you clean out that extra bedroom and list your home on Airbnb or another online vacation rental website, you’d better make sure that you have the legal…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee

New FHA Guidelines Make It Easier To Get Financing To Purchase A Condo

The Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) released new guidelines for its project approval process for condominiums, which will go into effect on October 15, 2019.  These new guidelines are meant to streamline the process and make it easier for certain credit-worthy homebuyers to obtain FHA financing. Currently, for a homebuyer to be eligible for an FHA-insured…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee

You May Be In Violation of Consumer Protection Laws if Your Contract Disclosures Are Not Kept Updated

Most developers and builders of homes in residential subdivisions and condominiums know they must provide purchasers with certain disclosures at the time of contract and they prepare such disclosures for their initial sales. But many forget to update or amend their disclosures as the development progresses and information in the initially prepared disclosures changes over…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee

Could Your Community Be Deemed A “Hostile Environment”?

Your community association may now be liable for the discriminatory actions of residents who harass or create a hostile environment for other residents. A new HUD regulation that went into effect on October 14, 2016 places new burdens on condominiums and community associations, which should take steps to protect themselves. This is a scary proposition…READ MORE

Author: Judyann M. Lee