The purchase, ownership, development, management and transfer of real estate can all have many serious implications, not all of which are immediately obvious. Proper legal planning can help avoid expensive mistakes and legal liabilities in connection with real estate.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

     For most people, the purchase of a home is the single biggest financial transaction of their lives.  When taking such a serious step, it is important to have legal representation. 

     We can help in making sure that your offer to purchase reflects the transaction properly.  For instance, having properly worded contingencies can help you avoid purchases where there are serious problems with the structural conditions of the property.  Also, we can help ensure that title is appropriately taken to the property when you've got more than one purchaser, especially when those purchasers are not married.  We can also assist sellers of real estate, especially on FSBO (for sale by owner) properties.

     When a real estate broker is not involved, a seller particularly needs guidance as to the proper disclosures which are required under state and federal law, and to arrive at a sales contract which is acceptable.  Our fees are always significantly less than a broker's 6% commission would be.  If a broker is involved, and you don't have an opportunity to have an attorney review the offer to purchase in advance, you should always include a contingency allowing your attorney the ability to review the offer and to approve or disapprove of it. Otherwise, once the deal is signed, it's too late for an attorney to help you.

     After the offer is signed, we can be of assistance in making sure that the title is in acceptable condition and that the necessary contingencies and requirements are satisfied.  If you're selling a property, we will draft the necessary deeds and transfer tax returns.  On new construction, we will assist in setting up any escrows for uncompleted or so-called "punch list" items.

     We will also attend closing with you and explain the documents that you're signing. As governmental regulation gets greater and greater, this stack of documents becomes ever larger, and it pays to have an attorney with you to explain what it is that's being signed.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

     We have substantial experience in representing businesses in connection with commercial real estate.  Among other such transactions that we handle are the following:

• Acquisition of Commercial Property
• Development of Commercial Property
• Construction Contracts
• Zoning and Land Use Regulation
• Leasing and Eviction of Tenants
• Shopping Center Leases and Tenancies
• Condominium Development
• Time-Share Condominium Development and Marketing Easements
• Restrictive Covenants