Category: Real Estate Law

Discovery of Hidden Defects in Your Newly Purchased Home

November 9, 2021  |  Joan M. Quade

The last few years have seen unbelievable residential home sales.  There have been a large number of buyer/bidders for every home that hit the market.  Homes were selling for tens of thousands over asking and bidders waived contingencies and inspections just to “win” the right to buy.  Many buyers bid on multiple houses before they actually were the high bidder and each frustrating loss made them more eager to add to the bid price and to waive inspections.  Some were so desperate they bought houses sight unseen willing to take some risk to get a house!  For many it all worked out and whatever minor issues they discovered after closing, they were willing to correct on their own or just live with it.  For some the hidden home defects, issues and costs have been overwhelming. Their initial excitement to be in their new home has turned into a financial disaster.  Some have discovered foundation cracks, water intrusion, poor homeowner work on the property without the proper permits or inspections, insurance money pocketed by the prior owners for hail or flood damage claims that were never fixed, major issues with the mechanical parts of the home like the furnace, water heater, electrical issues or the air conditioning and the list goes on and on. …

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Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. announces the addition of a new associate to the firm

April 26, 2021  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Georgia S. Kellogg has joined Barna, Guzy & Steffen’s Corporate Business & Real Estate department and will be working closely with attorneys practicing in those areas serving existing clients and enhancing the firm’s ability to serve our community. She is an experienced corporate attorney who has worked with clients in commercial and real estate transactions, transfers, entity formation and corporate governance, shareholder buyouts and redemptions, loan defaults, property disputes and more.  Georgia has recently returned to Minnesota after working for a law firm in Washington where she also advocated on behalf of a corporate client before the Washington Department of Revenue.  Georgia is a 2019 graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law. During her time at Mitchell Hamline, she earned the Law and Business Certification; Law School Public Service Award and was on the Dean’s List. Prior to law school, Georgia attended the University of St. Thomas, graduating with a dual degree in Accounting and Legal Studies for Business in 2016.  Barna, Guzy and Steffen, LTD. has a long-standing tradition of helping clients with their legal needs, serving generations of clients in the north metro.  Georgia is excited to be joining our legal team saying, “It is a blessing to be back home in Minnesota and to have this opportunity to practice alongside…

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BGS Adds New Real Estate Attorney to Team

March 10, 2020  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. announces the addition of a new associate to our firm. Erik C. Ordahl has joined the firm’s Real Estate and Banking department and will be working closely with attorneys practicing in those areas serving existing clients and enhancing the firm’s ability to serve our community.He is an experienced real estate attorney who has worked with clients in commercial and real estate transactions negotiating and drafting agreements in land usage, real estate development projects, environmental issues, property maintenance, and more. He has also worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Erik is a 2017 graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Cum Laude, where he was also a member of the Transactional Law Meet Competition team. Barna, Guzy and Steffen, LTD. has a long standing tradition of helping clients with their legal needs, serving generations of clients in the north metro. Erik is excited to be joining our legal team saying, “I look forward to being a part of the Barna, Guzy and Steffen team. It is an honor to be able to continue BGS’ long tradition of providing clients with the help they need.”

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