Bethesda Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Bethesda, MD

Commercial Real Estate Law in Maryland

In Bethesda, Maryland, commercial real estate is any form of real property (land or permanent structures) being utilized for business purposes.

Commercial real estate in Bethesda, Maryland is controlled by laws which differ significantly from state and local laws that apply to residential real estate.

Most of the protections that buyers and renters of residential real estate enjoy rarely apply to renters of commercial real estate.

These absent protections include rent control, and warranties of habitability, among others. The most general protections, such as prohibiting sellers of real estate from lying regarding the property to the buyer, apply in any context, however.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Bethesda, Maryland

Financing: Most small business owners in Bethesda, Maryland don't have the money to buy real estate with the cash on hand. Nonetheless, there is a solution to this problem, permitting people without massive sums of money (but with a steady income) to buy real estate: the mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy real estate, and the real estate being bought is used as collateral for the loan.

Duty to Disclose Defects: It is of the utmost importance that sellers and lessors of commercial real estate be up front about any defects that might be present in the property. Failing to disclose them can be bad, and actively concealing them can be much worse. In general, if a defect is significant enough that it would influence a reasonable person's decision to buy a piece of property, and the seller knows about it, the seller should disclose it. Failure to disclose can have significant results. If the buyer later discovers the defect, they can sue for the cost of repairing it, or for any reduction in the property's value caused by it. And, of course, if it causes any injuries, the buyer can sue the seller for those, as well.

Duty to Inspect: While buyers of real estate have some substantial protections with respect to defects, they also have some obligations. Before finalizing a purchase, buyers are expected to undertake a reasonable inspection of the property, usually by using a licensed building inspector. If the buyer fails to conduct an inspection, they typically won't be able to successfully sue, if defects are discovered after the purchase.

Encumbrances: These are defects to title, rather than physical defects. They are legal issues which might make it challenging or impossible for a landowner to make full use of their land. In Bethesda, Maryland, these might include easements. An easement is a right to use property held by a party other than the owner. This use is often very specific in scope, such as allowing the holder of the easement to cross the property to access a public road, or something similar. Such rights usually have to be recognized and honored by new owners, so if they buy property not knowing about them, they might be seriously inconvenienced.

Can a Bethesda, Maryland Attorney Help?

The issues surrounding commercial real estate in Bethesda, Maryland can get fairly complex. Therefore, it's never a bad idea to have the assistance of an efficient commercial real estate attorney.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Bethesda

Bethesda is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is northwest of Washington D.C. The city was named after a local church--the Bethesda Meeting House. It is known as one of Maryland's most affluent and highly educated communities. In facts, Forbes Magazine listed it first in "America's Most Educated Small Towns."

Two popular sites include The National Institute of Health and the National Naval Medical Center Other attractions include Capital Crescent Trail, Burning Tree Club, and Bethesda Avenue.

Large corporations that have a presence in Bethesda include American Capital, AREVA, Inc., Cambridge Information Group, Coventry Health Care, GetWellNetwork, HMSHost, Honest Tea, Host Hotels Resorts, Iridium Satellite LLC, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, and the United States Enrichment Corporation. Although not large, the legal industry does have a presence in Bethesda as well because the city is home to attorneys who practice in various fields of law.

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