Real Estate Law in California

Real estate law in South Pasadena covers almost everything involved in the sale and use of land.

The many laws affecting real estate in South Pasadena can sometimes feel overwhelming in their volume and complexity. This might apply doubly when your case involves a foreclosure, or a construction dispute.

Accordingly, it's a smart idea to obtain at least a very basic knowledge of how real estate law in South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena

Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in South Pasadena 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 given, and the property purchased, the lender holds a security interest in the property until the loan is paid off, with interest.

Zoning: Zoning regulations govern what types of structures are allowed on various parcels, based on their location in a municipality. For example, some areas in a city might be zoned only for residential use. Another area might authorize industrial use. These rules are meant to keep property values up, and promote harmony among neighbors by preventing conflicts.

Duty to Disclose: If you're buying a house in South Pasadena, you have particular legal protections. The seller has a duty to tell the buyer about any defects that the property has. All defects which the seller knows about, and which the buyer can't be expected to discover through an ordinary inspection, must be disclosed. If the seller fails to disclose a defect, and the buyer later discovers it, the seller can be sued for any diminution in the property's value caused by the defect, the cost of repairing it, and any injuries the buyers suffers as a result.

Implied Warranties: In South Pasadena, every residential lease agreement, whether it's clearly stated or not, has an "implied warranty of habitability." This is a legally-imposed promise by the landlord that the rented dwelling (whether it's a house or apartment) is fit for habitation by humans. While there are many requirements for a place to be considered habitable, some of the most important ones are electricity, running water, heating, and protection from the elements.

Can a South Pasadena Real Estate Lawyer Help?

Because the issues discussed above can get confusing for laypersons, if you have a real estate issue, such as an eviction, or a construction dispute, you should not hesitate to contact a South Pasadena real estate attorney ASAP.