The simple answer is - no - you do not need an attorney to buy or sell a home in Pennsylvania. There is no legal requirement that an attorney be involved in any stage of the transaction. However, the proper question to be asked is if it would be advisable for you to be represented by an attorney.
Here are the basic steps to take if you decide to buy a home without using a Realtor: Set your budget. Get preapproved. Find the right home. Review the seller's disclosure. Make an offer. Get an appraisal and inspection. Negotiate. Close on your new home.
In order to legally practice real estate in Pennsylvania, you must work under a supervising broker. Brokers are licensed by the commonwealth to oversee real estate transactions and ensure that you are adhering to the required legal and ethical standards.
Allegheny County uses base year methodology to set assessed values. Base year methodology allows similar homes to have similar assessments by eliminating the effect of changing market conditions. Our current base year is 2012 with an effective date of value of January 1, 2012.
Allegheny County Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the county property assessment by the current millage rate for each specific taxing entity and then adding all three tax bills. The County millage rate for 2025 is 6.43.
Real Property Official Records Search. Select a Recorder to begin your search. Pennsylvania is divided into 67 recorder districts with an elected Recorder of Deeds responsible for each office. Documents related to the ownership of real estate within the district are recorded at the Recorder of Deeds.
The Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program (VPRP) acquires vacant, blighted properties and conveys them to applicants who have developed: A concrete reuse plan and. Demonstrated the capacity to implement it.