Burlington Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Burlington, VT

Commercial Real Estate Law in Vermont

In Burlington, Vermont, commercial real estate is any parcel of land, or any building, which is used for business purposes, as opposed to residential, agricultural, or industrial use.

The laws in Burlington, Vermont which control commercial real estate differ substantially from the laws governing the rental and purchase of residential real estate.

Buyers and renters of residential property enjoy a massive number of legal protections. Many of these protections don't apply to buyers or renters of commercial property.

For example, commercial real estate normally isn't covered by rent control laws, nor does it carry with it an implied warranty of habitability (because people typically won't be living in it). Furthermore, it also doesn't come with a covenant of quiet enjoyment. However, some of the most basic legal protections (such as laws against fraud, and concealment of defects) apply in both the commercial and residential context.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Burlington, Vermont

Financing: Some small businesses in Burlington, Vermont find it necessary, at some point, to purchase a piece of real estate, for various reasons. However, most owners of small to medium-sized businesses can't afford to make a real estate purchase up front, with the cash they have on hand. Simply put, very few people have hundreds of thousands of dollars just sitting in the bank. One solution to this is a mortgage, which is similar to most other types of secured loans: a bank lends you money, and you put up some piece of property as collateral, so the bank has some security in the event of default. With a mortgage, however, the property being purchased with the loan also secures the loan, permitting the bank to foreclose on it in case the buyer defaults.

Concealment of Defects: if the seller of commercial property acts to conceal a significant defect in the property, and then sells the property, he will be accountable for any harm this defect cause, as well as the reduced value of the property, or the cost of repair.

Duty to Inspect: While buyers of real estate have some considerable 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 normally won't be able to successfully sue, if defects are discovered after the purchase.

Encumbrances: Undisclosed encumbrances are defects of another sort: defects of title. An encumbrance is any interest that a third party has in the Burlington, Vermont commercial real estate. These normally 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 essential to know about them before buying.

Can a Burlington, Vermont Attorney Help?

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

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Burlington

Burlington is Vermont's largest city. It is located in Chittenden County and is approximately 45 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border. Per the 2010 census, it has a population of 42,417 people. Neighboring areas include South Burlington, Winooski, Colchester, Essex and Williston.

An interesting fact is that Burlington has the sixth lowest unemployment rate of all surveyed metropolitan areas in the United States. Top employers include IDX Systems, Vermont Tedy Bear Company, General Dynamics, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burton Snowboards, Bruegger's, and Seventh Generation Inc. Burlington is also home to many law offices and small firms practicing in virtually all areas of law, and providing their clients with excellent and personalized legal services.

Popular sites include the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Deck Towers, Burlington Square, and Cathedral Square.

Overall, Burlington is a charming place to visit or call home!

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