Locate Missouri Real Estate Lawyers

In Missouri, real estate law is a very broad area of law covering anything that has to do with the ownership of land and buildings.

Real estate law can apply to many different facets of a personal and professional life. It can apply to anything from the purchase of a vacant lot, to renting prime downtown office space.

Missouri real estate law can be very complex, because it's really a collection of a lot of different areas of law. These areas of law include property rights, contracts, land use, and many others.

Having a good basic knowledge of Missouri real estate law can make a lot of transactions, such as buying a house or renting an apartment, much easier.

Common Real Estate Issues in Missouri

Financing: Most people in Missouri probably can't afford to buy a house or a piece of land up front. Therefore, most individuals and business use some form of financing to purchase real estate, usually a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy a piece of real estate, with the purchased real estate simultaneously securing the loan.

Disclosure: When a house or other building is being sold, it's possible that there will be some physical defects in the structure. Potential buyers generally have a right to know about these defects, which means that sellers have to disclose them. Generally, if the defect is one that the seller knows about, and the buyer probably couldn't discover it through a normal inspection, the seller has to disclose it. Really, though, it's a good idea for sellers to disclose every defect they know about, whether or not they believe disclosure is technically required as to a specific defect.

Warranty of Habitability: When renting property to be used as a dwelling, the landlord, as a matter of law, implicitly promises that the dwelling will be suitable for human habitation. It doesn't matter what the lease says on this subject - it's always a requirement. Therefore, a rented unit must have the basic amenities required for modern life - it must provide adequate shelter from the weather, it must have running water, it must have heating, and it must have electricity. Of course, there are many more specific requirements, and a court will also look at the condition of the unit as a whole when deciding whether or not it is habitable.

Zoning Laws: Zoning laws regulate what type of structures can be built in given parts of a town or city. Their general purpose is to ensure that a city is as livable as possible by ensuring that residential areas are not too close to the noise and pollution of industrial areas. It is very important that, before you make any improvements to a piece of property, you make sure that the proposed improvements comply with Missouri's zoning regulations.

Do I Need a Missouri Real Estate Lawyer?

These matters can be pretty difficult, and the above discussion only scratched the surface of the huge body of law that can affect real estate transactions. Therefore, if you think any business or personal plan you have might be affected by real estate law, you should consult with a Missouri real estate lawyer as soon as possible.

Interesting Facts About Missouri

Missouri has a population of nearly 6 million and is the 18th most populated state in the U.S. It is commonly called "The Show Me State". Missouri also has a number of other informal nicknames, such as "The Ozark State" and "The Lead State". Former President Harry S. Truman was from Missouri, where he served as a judge in Jackson County for some time.

Missouri's court system is divided into three levels: the Circuit Courts of Missouri; the Missouri Courts of Appeals; and the Supreme Court of Missouri. Most claims begin at the Circuit Court level, with appeals being heard in the Appeals Court. The Supreme Court of Missouri was founded in the year 1841 and is located in Jefferson City. Missouri also maintains a municipal court system that processes minor violations and infractions.

Missouri is known for having one of the more lenient bodies of statutes among the states. Since Missouri is a leading producer of alcohol and tobacco in the U.S., its alcohol and tobacco laws are among the most non-restrictive in the country. Several law schools can be found in Missouri, including the University of Missouri School of Law ("MU Law") and Saint Louis University School of Law.

Lawyers in Missouri assist clients in many different legal fields. Missouri lawyers are knowledgeable of the state's unique set of laws and can provide legal expertise for specific matters. A Missouri lawyer can help you with any legal questions or legal disputes you may be involved in.