Real Estate Law in Arizona
Real estate law in Surprise governs almost everything involved in the sale and use of land.
The law governing real estate in Surprise can get pretty complicated, especially when things such as mortgages, disputes about construction defects, and conflicts over title are involved.
Accordingly, it's a good idea to learn some of the basics of Surprise's real estate laws.
If you have even a little bit of basic knowledge 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 Surprise
Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in Surprise 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 regulate what types of structures can be built on given parcels of land. Generally, cities and towns are zoned in order to ensure that neighborhoods are clearly divided into residential, commercial, and industrial categories, to ensure that everyone who uses the land can make the best possible use of it, for their particular purpose
Duty to Disclose: sellers of real estate, especially houses and other residential property, are legally bound to tell the buyer about any defects in the property that the seller knows about, and that the buyer couldn't easily discover on his own (mold or termite problems are common examples). If the seller fails to make such disclosures, he or she could be liable for any harm the defect causes to the buyer, as well as the cost of repairing it. If the seller intentionally conceals or lies about the defect, he or she might also face punitive damages.
Implied Warranties: In Surprise, every residential rental agreement carries with it a warranty of habitability, in which the landlord implicitly promises that the unit is fit for human habitation. This applies whether or not such a warranty is stated in the lease agreement, and it still applies even if the landlord tries to disclaim any such warranty. There are many conditions that might make an unit uninhabitable. A few examples are a lack of electricity, no running water, or no heating.
Can a Surprise Real Estate Lawyer Help?
These issues, along with many others, can sometimes be fairly complicated. Therefore, you should never hesitate to consult with a Surprise real estate attorney if you have any questions.