Locate North Carolina Real Estate Lawyers

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

Real estate law can apply to many various 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.

North Carolina real estate law can be very complicated, 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 general knowledge of North Carolina real estate law can make a lot of transactions, such as purchasing a house or renting an apartment, much easier.

Common Real Estate Issues in North Carolina

Financing: Most people in North Carolina probably can't afford to buy a house or a piece of land up front. Thus, most individuals and business use some form of financing to purchase real estate, normally 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 utilized 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. Thus, 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 particular 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 dictate what kinds of buildings can be placed on lots in certain parts of a town or city. Their purpose is to confirm, for example, that sewage treatment plants don't get built next to homes, or that noisy, polluting factory doesn't get built next to a daycare center. To this end, they "zone" sections of the locality for various uses, such as residential, industrial, commercial, etc. If you are buying a piece of vacant land, it's essential that whatever use you intend to make of it is compatible with North Carolina's zoning laws.

Do I Need a North Carolina Real Estate Lawyer?

These matters can be pretty complicated, 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 North Carolina real estate lawyer as soon as possible.

Interesting Facts About North Carolina

North Carolina began as one of the nation's oldest settlements. Today it consistently ranks as the fastest growing state in the country. It has made considerable changes to its economy, moving from a tobacco production state to a more diversified base consisting of biotechnology and engineering industries. Mt. Mitchell, the highest point in the Eastern U.S., can be found in North Carolina.

One North Carolina's main features is the Law and Justice Building, located in the capital city of Raleigh. The Law and Justice Building is home to the North Carolina Supreme Court the Administrative Office of the Courts. Up until the year 1940, North Carolina was the only Supreme Court in the U.S. where the justices presided over cases wearing street clothes.

Other important courts in the state of North Carolina include the District Courts, Superior Courts, and the Court of Appeals. Most lawyers in North Carolina file claims at either the District Court level or through the Superior Court. Depending on the type of claim involved, North Carolinas must research a mix of state statutes and North Carolina case law.

Lawyers in North Carolina are able to help clients with a wide range of legal concerns. North Carolina lawyers can also provide expert advice on matters involving unique state or local laws. Attorneys in the "Tar Heel State" often participate in community events and forums.