Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Mind those dates
States handle the sale of real estate in different ways. In New York, for example, the settlement date can be an approximation of when the settlement will actually occur. Here's why. In the contract, the language of the agreement states that settlement will occur on or about a certain date. That gives both buyers and sellers some flexibility.
In Pennsylvania, however, the contract plainly states that "time is of the essence,'' and that the dates mentioned in the contract are binding. That means that we have to adhere to those dates, unless both the buyer and the seller agree to a change. That happens, but when it comes to changing the settlement date, things can get dicey, because the side not requesting the change is wary of it. For one thing, it can signal that the deal is in trouble. Secondly, because the dates in the contract are binding, each side in the deal has an expectation the deal will be settled on the date previously agreed to. They have made arrangements for housing, movers, help, etc., and changing those things can be extremely tough.
In Pennsylvania, however, the contract plainly states that "time is of the essence,'' and that the dates mentioned in the contract are binding. That means that we have to adhere to those dates, unless both the buyer and the seller agree to a change. That happens, but when it comes to changing the settlement date, things can get dicey, because the side not requesting the change is wary of it. For one thing, it can signal that the deal is in trouble. Secondly, because the dates in the contract are binding, each side in the deal has an expectation the deal will be settled on the date previously agreed to. They have made arrangements for housing, movers, help, etc., and changing those things can be extremely tough.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Get Grant on his cell
In reading the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, I came across three interesting facts.
First, his mother, Hannah Simpson, was from Montgomery County, Pa. Her family moved to Ohio in 1819.
Second, his father lived for a time with John Brown, the future radical abolitionist, and his family. Brown was hanged after his attack on the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He was apprehended by Col. Robert E. Lee, Grant's great foe in the Civil War. Grant's dad lived with the family when Brown was a boy, but he also knew him afterward. Grant's father regarded Brown as a man of "great purity of character, of high moral and physical courage, but a fanatic and extremist in whatever he advocated.''
But the most interesting thing I learned was that Grant was for a time a real estate agent. Here's the passage from the book (Page 122, line 4) ..."ln the winter, I established a partnership with Harry Boggs, a cousin of Mrs. Grant, in the real estate agency business. I spent that winter at St. Louis myself, but did not take my family into town until the spring. Our business might have become prosperous if I had been able to wait for it to grow.''
First, his mother, Hannah Simpson, was from Montgomery County, Pa. Her family moved to Ohio in 1819.
Second, his father lived for a time with John Brown, the future radical abolitionist, and his family. Brown was hanged after his attack on the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He was apprehended by Col. Robert E. Lee, Grant's great foe in the Civil War. Grant's dad lived with the family when Brown was a boy, but he also knew him afterward. Grant's father regarded Brown as a man of "great purity of character, of high moral and physical courage, but a fanatic and extremist in whatever he advocated.''
But the most interesting thing I learned was that Grant was for a time a real estate agent. Here's the passage from the book (Page 122, line 4) ..."ln the winter, I established a partnership with Harry Boggs, a cousin of Mrs. Grant, in the real estate agency business. I spent that winter at St. Louis myself, but did not take my family into town until the spring. Our business might have become prosperous if I had been able to wait for it to grow.''
No cell phone ban yet
It is amazing to me how quickly misinformation is spread. In the last few weeks, a ton of messages have gone out on the Web about the new Pennsylvania law banning cell phone use while driving. Here is the straight scoop on that law. It has not yet been passed and is not likely to be passed for quite a while. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering a measure that would ban the use of hand-held cell phones in automobiles. It is being discussed by a House subcommittee. It must clear the committee, then go to the entire House for a vote. It must then be passed by the Senate, then it must go to the governor to be signed. That takes time. Often it takes a lot of time.
So while the state House is considering such a measure, it will not become law for quite a while. And while the law does not as yet prohibit your from using your cell phone while driving, common sense does. It can be dangerous. So if you want to talk, consider pulling over into a parking lot to return the call.
So while the state House is considering such a measure, it will not become law for quite a while. And while the law does not as yet prohibit your from using your cell phone while driving, common sense does. It can be dangerous. So if you want to talk, consider pulling over into a parking lot to return the call.
