Real Estate Law in Alabama

Real estate law in Mobile County governs almost everything involved in the sale and use of land.

The law controlling real estate in Mobile County can get pretty complicated, especially when things such as mortgages, disputes about construction defects, and conflicts over title are involved.

Therefore, it's a good idea to learn some of the basics of Mobile County's real estate laws.

Knowing the law can serve you in a variety of ways: it can put you in a better negotiating position, it can help you spot unlawful terms in lease agreements, and confirm that you know your rights if a dispute arises, among other things.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Mobile County

Financing: The majority of people in Mobile County can't afford to make a major real estate purchase by paying the full purchase price up front. Most people and small businesses, therefore, use a mortgage to make real estate purchases. A mortgage is a loan issued for the purpose of buying a piece of property, with the bank obtaining a security interest in that property until the loan and interest are paid off.

Zoning: Zoning regulations determine what types of structures are allowed on various parcels, based on their location in a municipality. For instance, some areas in a city might be zoned only for residential use. Another area might allow industrial use. These rules are meant to keep property values up, and promote harmony among neighbors by preventing conflicts.

Duty of Disclosure: Sellers of homes are bound by a legal duty to disclose defects in the home to prospective buyers, before they buy the house. Any defect which the seller knows (or reasonably should know) about, and which cannot be discovered by the buyer through an average inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.

Implied Warranties: In Mobile County, every residential rental agreement carries with it a warranty of habitability, in which the landlord implicitly promises that the unit is fit for human habitation. This applies whether or not such a warranty is mentioned in the lease agreement, and it still applies even if the landlord tries to disclaim any such warranty. There are many circumstances that might make an unit uninhabitable. A few examples are a lack of electricity, no running water, or no heating.

Can a Mobile County Real Estate Lawyer Help?

Because the issues discussed above can get intricate for laypersons, if you have a real estate issue, such as an eviction, or a construction dispute, you should not hesitate to contact a Mobile County real estate attorney ASAP.