Real Estate Law Overview and Information
Although states generally have exclusive jurisdiction over the land within their borders, such as the kind of interests that can be held and how they are created, some federal law protections exist for discrimination and environmental violations. Property law governs personal interests in property, such as rights of ownership, requirements in sales and transfers of property, and settlement of claims against property. Common disputes involve maintenance of condominiums and cooperatives, establishing property title and boundary lines, and zoning and property land use. Real estate and property law also deals with the financing aspects of property, such as mortgages and foreclosures.
Real estate and property law can be very complex. Laws not only vary from state to state, but from city to city. Real estate law covers a wide variety of topics, including property development, agricultural concerns, real estate lending, general and limited partnerships, and many more. Attorneys who practice in this area can make sure a property transaction conforms to all local laws. Real estate attorneys provide assistance to businesses who conduct commercial real estate transactions, homeowners, landlords, tenants, governmental bodies, and developers. A real estate attorney commonly handles disputes involving foreclosures, workouts, receiverships, real estate sales contracts, leases, loans and zoning matters. Typical services, among others, include drafting deeds, filing liens, negotiating leases, handling real estate closings, foreclosures, boundary and title disputes, and construction defect claims, and ensuring compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. Real attorneys also commonly handle related issues, such as tax implications, partnerships, bankruptcy, premises liability, licensing, and housing discrimination.