Law Office of Harper Dimmerman | Pennsylvania & New Jersey Real Estate, Criminal, Trial Law

Harper J. Dimmerman, Attorney at law, who founded this boutique practice in 2003, was named by Philadelphia Magazine as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2007, 2008, and 2010-12. This designation is reserved for only 2.5% of Pennsylvania's best up-and-coming attorneys.

Harper J. Dimmerman, Attorney at Law, is also an adjunct real estate law professor, published legal columnist and lecturer. His law firm focuses on general litigation as well as real estate law matters. Areas of law practice include: general disputes, general litigation/trial matters, appellate litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury, mortgage foreclosure defense, approved attorney title insurance, commercial real estate, homeowners association law/condominium law, landlord & tenant law/evictions, confessions of judgment, partition actions, ejectments, quiet title actions, residential real estate/buying & selling a home, eminent domain & condemnation, zoning, planning & land use. More Info

Practice Areas

Criminal Law

Our criminal law practice includes representation including, but not limited to the following matters; criminal justice process, including felony waiver, jury trials, municipal trials, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions, sentencing hearings, violation of probation, and parole hearings. Read More

Consulting

As a real estate attorney, title insurance provider, professor, lecturer and columnist, I constantly find myself fielding questions concerning financing alternatives for real estate investors. So with the contraction in the lending arena, I have decided to team up with another veteran real estate attorney, for the purpose of offering value added consulting services to commercial borrowers. Read More

General Litigation & Lawsuits

Our general litigation practice can accommodate the needs of a variety of litigants. Whether a dispute is in its infancy or has escalated into full-blown litigation, we strive to achieve the most sensible and effective results possible. Our responsiveness and attention to detail is second to none. Municipal/Magisterial District, Common Pleas and various Appellate level matters are considered as are flexible fee structures.

Approved Attorney Title Insurance

Harper J. Dimmerman, Esq. holds a special designation that enables him to provide title insurance in both the residential and commercial settings. Additionally, he has discretion when it comes to premium charges and therefore we can be more competitive than non-approved attorney title insurance companies. Lastly, Mr. Dimmerman’s knowledge of real estate law, as both a practitioner and professor adds value to these services, ensuring the greatest probability of success. Realize that consumers are at liberty to utilize any title company of their choosing. Read More

Commercial Real Estate Law

Commercial real estate law governs real property- immovable property like land, buildings and fixtures operated for profit. Commercial real estate includes any income generating property such as offices, shopping malls, restaurants, industrial parks, retail stores, and factories. Commercial real estate transactions are regulated by both federal and state laws. Although commercial real estate investment can be very profitable, there is always an element of risk involved, such as non-payment of rent or depreciation of the value of the property. Confession of judgment clauses can also have serious consequences and should be understood thoroughly before entering into commercial real estate deals.

Homeowner Association Law

A Homeowners’ Association (HOA) is a legal entity that governs a subdivision, condominium or townhome development, or planned community. HOA membership is mandatory for all property owners within the development. The HOA is run by a board, which is bound by the HOA bylaws, and board positions are filled by election or appointment. The HOA collects a fee assessment from all owners to maintain common areas, address legal and safety issues, and enforce restrictions that are applicable to that particular residential area. The HOA also provides residents with a platform to address common concerns of the community.

Landlord and Tenant Law

Tenant rights and landlord disputes typically are governed by state property and contracts law. A lease or a rental agreement defines the length of the rental term, the price paid, penalties for late payments, and the amount of notice required before either the landlord or the tenant can cancel the lease. The landlord law invokes the duty to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition in view of all the circumstances. Additionally, state or local landlord tenant law sets the requirements for evicting a tenant, which may occur for only a limited number of reasons before the tenancy expires. We also handle commercial landlord and tenant matters. Parties to commercial leasing arrangements should be keenly aware of confession of judgment clauses.

Residential Real Estate Law

The sale or purchase of a home is one of the most important legal transactions to which you will ever be a party. Understanding the process and legal requirements is absolutely vital. I encourage my clients to confer with me in advance of signing any legal documents that form a part of the real estate transaction. Real estate agents may act as a seller’s agent, a buyer’s agent, or as a dual agent, representing both the seller and the buyer in a single transaction. Under state law, real estate agents must provide you with written consumer notice that details your relationship with them. Read More

Zoning, Planning and Land Use

Zoning is a system of land use regulation exercised by local governments and is sometimes referred to as zoning planning. Zoning regulations govern the types of activities that are acceptable on particular lots, as well as the height of buildings, and the amount of parking which must be provided; although most zoning law systems have procedures for granting variances. Zoning regulation and zoning ordinance falls under the police power rights that the local governments may exercise over real property. As former counsel to Philadelphia’s Zoning Board, for the purpose of drafting Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, I bring special knowledge of zoning matters to bear upon my cases.

Eviction

As a real estate attorney, title insurance provider, professor, lecturer and columnist, I have handled both residential and commercial landlord-tenant matters. Over time, I have discovered that although there are some excellent landlord-tenant attorneys out there, overall there is a shortage of highly value-added representation. Read More

A Mysterious Case: Pennsylvania’s Seller Disclosure Law

Posted on April 5, 2013

by Harper J. Dimmerman
Bradley Osborne &
James Lammendola

“Truth will come to light: murder cannot be hid long.” Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene II. Disclosing or even defining defects at a property prior to transfer, as banal a [...]

When is rape not considered rape

Posted on April 1, 2013

POSTED: Thursday, March 28, 2013, 10:58 AM

John Featherman

Question: When is rape not considered rape?

Answer: When you live in Pennsylvania.

I always believed – naively as it turns out – that I knew the various manners in which rape could occur. Specifically, I thought that [...]

Your Estate, Made Easy

Posted on February 14, 2013

In this changing world, everyone deserves to have stability, continuity, and security. Most often this can be accomplished with a simple legal instrument. A will with powers of attorney for both medical and financial needs is the easiest way to [...]

Pennsylvania Real Estate Deals

Posted on February 13, 2013

Representing residential sellers or buyers, although straightforward on the surface, can become complicated. Typically, both sides to the deal, will be represented by real estate agents as well, who frequently will have advised their respective clients concerning the agreement of [...]

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