Property Law/Real Estate

The laws relative to real estate have become more complex due in part to increasing legislation and regulation affecting the rights of owners, sellers and purchasers of real estate. 

Consider the sale of property for instance.  Many have the misconception that the lawyer’s role is simply that of preparing a deed or land contract.    Such clients are hard to convince that there are other issues that must be dealt with. 

Here is a list.  If applicable and not properly addressed, one or more can bring serious consequence to even the simplest transaction, and/or be the source of unexpected costly litigation:

Environmental Laws

• Mold
• Lead Based Paint
• Soil Contaminants
• Wetlands

Closing Documentation and Related Issues

• Purchase Agreements
• Escrow Agreements
• Land Contracts
• Memorandums
• Warranty Deeds
• Quitclaim Deeds
• Mortgages
• Security Instruments
• Affidavits
• Tax Apportionment
• Notices
• Title Insurance

Contract and Statutory Issues

• Premise Inspections
• Representations
• Warranties
• “As Is” Language
• Disclosure Statements
• “Land Split” Issues
• Transfer Taxes
• Homestead Exemption

Competing Rights

• Easements
• Right-of-Ways
• Deed Restrictions
• Subdivision Restrictions
• Zoning Ordinances
• Encroachments
• Surveys
• Road Closings

Title Issues

• Litigation
• Access
• Landlocked Issues
• Mortgages
• Tax Liens
• Mechanics Liens
• Due on Sale Clauses
• Affidavits
• Notices
• Leases
• Options
• “First Right of Refusal”
• Riparian Rights / Water
• “Chain of Title” Defects
• Assessment Districts
• Oil, Gas and Mineral Rights

Other

• Boundary Disputes
• Fence Line Disputes
• Adverse Possession (Squatter’s Rights)
• Prescriptive Easements
• Acquiescence
• Condemnation
• Judicial Partition
• Joint Tenancy /Rights of Survivorship
• Tenancy in Common
• Trespass
• Injunctive Actions
• Encroachment
• Road Closing
• Condominium Issues
• Tax Appeal
• Assessment Districts
• Municipal Proceedings
• Zoning Issues