Real estate transactions can be complicated, even if you’re just someone trying to buy a home. There could be many stakeholders involved, such as the current owner, the future owner, financial institutions, government agencies, and construction companies. In today’s blog from Checkett, Pauly, Bay & Morgan, we discuss instances when you need a real estate attorney.
Zoning Laws
Perhaps you’re purchasing property on the edge of a residential area, but you plan to use it for commercial purposes. Maybe you have a mix of retail and residential in mind? Or, maybe you plan to make a former commercial building into loft apartments as an investment property. Chances are good you’ll have to get necessary zoning permits or even have to testify before a planning and zoning board to get approval for your project. A real estate attorney comes in handy when you need to deal with government permits.
Covenants & Easements
You might be interested in a property that has an easement, meaning various government entities can put utilities, light poles, street signs, and similar items on it. Some subdivisions have covenants and homeowner’s association rules that prohibit certain types of construction. Real estate attorneys at Checkett, Pauly, Bay & Morgan can help you navigate easements and covenants that may limit what you can do with your property.
Environmental Laws
Commercial real estate comes with environmental laws designed to protect groundwater, land, animals, and natural resources. Real estate attorneys are familiar with environmental regulations that govern how to manage water runoff, any hazardous chemicals you may have on the property, how close you can build to any nearby natural areas, and any limits on what you can build on a vacant plot of land.
Title Problems
Sometimes a deed for land doesn’t have a clean title. Perhaps someone put a lien on the title 30 years ago, and it has yet to be satisfied. Maybe there was a legal dispute over the land or the building, and the current owner isn’t the actual owner of the property. Checkett, Pauly, Bay & Morgan performs due diligence to make sure your investment is sound and free of any legal obstacles to ownership.
Landlord-Tenant Law
One of the most common issues in real estate law arises from landlord-tenant relationships. Attorneys at Checkett, Pauly, Bay & Morgan understand the intricacies of landlord-tenant law, what you can and can’t do as a property owner, and how tenants should respond to demands made by a landlord. Our lawyers are on your side of any landlord-tenant disputes.
Real Estate Attorneys in Joplin, MO
Chuck Pauly and Kevin Checkett have a combined four decades of experience in real estate law and real estate transactions. We handle a wide range of issues, including acquisitions, development, construction, lending, environmental law, land use, and more. Contact Checkett, Pauly, Bay & Morgan or call (417) 358-4049 for more details. We’re a small-town firm, but we’ve handled real estate cases in at least 28 states.