Commercial Real Estate Law in Alaska

In Soldotna, Alaska, "commercial real estate" is any type of land or building which is used for a business, as opposed to residential, purpose.

The laws governing real estate in Soldotna, Alaska apply differently when dealing with commercial, as opposed to residential, real estate.

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

For example, commercial real estate typically isn't covered by rent control laws, nor does it carry with it an implied warranty of habitability (because people usually 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 Soldotna, Alaska

Financing: The majority of small business owners in Soldotna, Alaska 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.

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 responsible for any harm this defect cause, as well as the reduced value of the property, or the cost of repair.

Duty to Inspect: Buyers of commercial real estate are expected to be diligent, and a court will not reward a lack of diligence. Consequently, if the buyer fails to conduct a thorough inspection of the property before buying it, and thereby fails to discover defects which such an inspection could have easily revealed, he will not be able to sue the seller over these defects later on.

Encumbrances: These are defects to title, rather than physical defects. They are legal issues which might make it difficult or impossible for a landowner to make full use of their land. In Soldotna, Alaska, these might include easements. An easement is a right to use property held by a party other than the owner. This use is often very particular in scope, such as allowing the holder of the easement to cross the property to access a public road, or something similar. Such rights usually have to be recognized and honored by new owners, so if they buy property not knowing about them, they might be seriously inconvenienced.

Can a Soldotna, Alaska Attorney Help?

The issues surrounding commercial real estate in Soldotna, Alaska can get fairly complex. Therefore, it's never a bad idea to have the assistance of an efficient commercial real estate attorney.