Right of First Refusal in Real Estate (PA Angle)
The right to match an offer before a property can be sold to someone else.
What is a right of first refusal (ROFR)?
A ROFR gives its holder the chance to buy a property on the same terms as a bona fide third-party offer before the owner can sell to that third party. It does not force a sale; it is triggered only when the owner decides to sell and receives an offer the holder can then match.
How it works
When the owner gets an offer it is willing to accept, it must present the terms to the holder of the ROFR, who then has a set period to match them and buy — or to decline, freeing the owner to sell to the third party. ROFRs commonly appear in leases, co-ownership arrangements, and option deals.
Where ROFRs get litigated
Disputes arise over whether the right was properly triggered, whether the terms offered to the holder truly matched the third-party deal, and how long the holder had to respond. Pennsylvania courts enforce these rights according to the precise language, so careful drafting — and careful compliance when a sale comes up — is essential.
How Nochumson P.C. helps
Nochumson P.C. drafts and litigates rights of first refusal and related preemptive rights for owners, tenants, and investors. Contact us about a right of first refusal.
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- Philadelphia Sheriff Sales: How They Work
- Right of Redemption After a Tax or Sheriff Sale (PA)
- 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges: Rules, Timelines & Pitfalls
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