Real Estate Law in Oregon

Multnomah County's real estate industry is governed by a huge body of laws. This is because almost any real estate transaction invokes laws concerning civil rights, consumer protection, land use, and contracts.

Real estate law in Multnomah County can be fairly complicated, especially when it comes to things like mortgages and the resolution of disputes over construction defects.

Accordingly, it's a smart idea to obtain at least a very basic knowledge of how real estate law in Multnomah County works.

If you have even a little bit of basic understanding of applicable real estate law, your life will probably be a great deal easier. If you have some understanding of the law, your knowledge will likely put you in a better bargaining position.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Multnomah County

Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in Multnomah County 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 dictate what types of buildings can go on given pieces of property. These laws are typically designed to ensure that residential areas are as clean and as quiet as possible, thereby preserving property values. They accomplish this by ensuring that other uses that might be inappropriate in a residential area, such as heavy industry, are in different parts of town. This also ensures that industries will be able to go about their business without constant complaints from their 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 normal inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.

Implied Warranty: All residential lease agreements in Multnomah County carry with them an implicit promise by the landlord that the property is fit for human habitation. This warranty does not need to be explicitly stated in order to have effect, and neither the tenant nor landlord can waive it. Any contract claiming to waive this warranty is void. To be considered habitable, a building must not be so dirty as to pose a health hazard, it must have running water, it must have electricity, and it must provide adequate protection from the weather. There are many other requirements, but if a building or unit lacks any one of those, it will be considered uninhabitable.

Can a Multnomah County Real Estate Lawyer Help?

The issues briefly discussed above, as well as many others, can be very convoluted. Accordingly, if you are engaged in any real estate transaction, it's never a bad idea to first consult with an experienced Multnomah County real estate attorney.