Boston Real Estate Law

In Boston, real estate law can affect just about anything involving the use, purchase, or sale of land and fixtures to land, such as buildings.

The many laws affecting real estate in Boston can sometimes feel overwhelming in their volume and complexity. This might apply doubly when your case involves a foreclosure, or a construction dispute.

So, if you're planning on engaging in any kind of real estate transaction, it's important that you learn at least the basics of real estate law in Boston.

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

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Common Real Estate Law Issues in Boston

Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in Boston with cash, because few people have that kind of money on hand. Therefore, to buy real estate, most entities use a mortgage. This is a loan used to buy a piece of property. When the loan is issued, and the property purchased, the lender holds a security interest in the property until the loan is paid off, with interest.

Zoning: Zoning laws establish rules saying what kinds of buildings are allowed in various areas of a city or town. These rules serve a variety of purposes. For example, they usually protect residents by making it illegal for industrial facilities to be built in residential areas. This also protects industries, allowing them to do their business without being bothered by constant complaints and lawsuits from their residential neighbors.

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 ordinary inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.

Implied Warranties: Every lease of a residential unit in Boston carries with it an implicit promise by the owner that the unit will meet some basic minimum standards for human habitability. There are many factors that go into determining if a unit is "habitable," but there are a few essentials, and they include running water, heat, electricity, and adequate shelter from the elements.

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Can a Boston Real Estate Lawyer Help?

The issues discussed here, along with others, can be complex and confusing. Therefore, if you have any questions on this subject, you should not hesitate to ask a Boston real estate lawyer.

There are 488 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Boston

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Life in Boston

Boston, Massachusetts is known as the "Capital of New England" because it acts as the center of business, art, food, and culture. Bostonians comprise the 10th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Boston is home to a number of historical attractions like the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and the American Revolution museums that offer about $8 billion in revenue for the city.

Furthermore, tourists flock to visit Boston and its colleges: Harvard University, Boston College, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tufts University, UMass Boston, and many other business, music, and pharmaceutical institutions of higher learning. Students offer roughly $4.8 billion to the economy. With so many students, Boston naturally is home to some of the top firms in technology and biotechnology. The city boasts the highest amount of annual funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Boston is home to some outstanding New England based lawyers and law firms. Bostonians are subject to the area's high cost of living making the legal problems of the community somewhat unique. Violent crime has been on the decline since the Boston Police Department and United States Attorney and District Attorney started a crime and gang prevention campaign. Most Boston residents use the Suffolk County courts.

Real Estate Lawyers in Other Massachusetts Cities and Towns


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Top Rated Lawyers

Along with full attorney profiles, you'll see how other LegalMatch users rate each attorney that may respond to your case.

Jonathan R. SUFFOLK, MA

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Rating (22 users) *****

John D.

General Practice

Rating (8 users) *****

Peter F.

Family Law

Rating (8 users) *****

Shannon L.

Criminal Law

Rating (8 users) *****

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Boston as mapped below.

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