Charlottesville Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Charlottesville, VA

Commercial Real Estate Law in Virginia

Commercial real estate is any type of land or structure in Charlottesville, Virginia which is used for business purposes, primarily the sale of goods and/or services to the public.

The Charlottesville, Virginia laws governing commercial real estate differ significantly from the laws that cover residential and other types of real estate.

People who buy and rent residential unites have a higher deal of legal protections not available to buyers of commercial property.

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

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Charlottesville, Virginia

Financing: The majority of small business owners in Charlottesville, Virginia probably can't afford to buy much real estate outright, with cash paid up front, so most small business purchase commercial real estate with a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan taken out for the purpose of buying real estate, using that real estate as collateral for the loan.

Disclosure of Defects: Sellers of real estate have an obligation to inform prospective buyers of any defects present in the property, such as water damage and other structural problems. Basically, if the defect is significant enough that it might affect a reasonable buyer's decision on whether or not to purchase the property, and the seller knows about it, it must be disclosed. Failure to disclose such defects would give a buyer the right to sue the seller, and recover substantial damages, including the cost of repairing the defect, compensation for any injuries or illness caused by it, and the reduction in the property's value caused by the defect.

Duty to Inspect: This is a companion to the duty to disclose defects. Usually, buyers of real estate are expected to inspect the property. If they fail to conduct a good inspection, they might not be able to recover damages if they are harmed by any defects which an inspection would have revealed.

Encumbrances: Undisclosed encumbrances are defects of another sort: defects of title. An encumbrance is any interest that a third party has in the Charlottesville, Virginia commercial real estate. These typically take the form of easements, which are rights held by third parties to use the land for a specific purpose. Easements can have profound effects on how a new owner can use the land, so it is important to know about them before buying.

Can a Charlottesville, Virginia Attorney Help?

These issues are sometimes confusing, and almost always very important. Therefore, it's imperative to seek the assistance of a Charlottesville, Virginia real estate attorney if you have any dealings in this area.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Charlottesville

Charlottesville is an independent city surrounded by Albemarle County. Being an independent city, it is not actually legally part of the county in which it sits. It runs its own affairs, and unlike other cities, the government of the county in which it sits has no jurisdiction over it. It has a population of about 41,000 people.

Charlottesville was named in 2004 as the best place to live in the United States, in the book Cities Ranked and Rated, due in part to its high quality of life, low cost of living, and mild climate.

The city of Charlottesville is steeped in history. It was the home of presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. It is home to the University of Virginia, which was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. Along with Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's estate), the university is an UNESCO World Heritage Site - having been recognized by the United Nations as a place of special historical significance to all of mankind. It is the only university in the U.S., and one of the only manmade structures in the U.S., to be designated a World Heritage Site.

The University of Virginia has one of the best law schools in the country, so you don't need to worry about finding a good Charlottesville, Virginia lawyer, if you ever need one. Charlottesville lawyers are ready to take just about any case that you're likely to face.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA