Fort Lauderdale Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Commercial Real Estate Law in Florida

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

The laws covering commercial real estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are quite different from those applying to residential real estate.

Buyers and renters of residential property enjoy some pretty substantial legal protections, because the law of most states presumes that shelter (being necessary to survive, for the most part) is more important than business. Therefore, many of these consumer protections don't apply to commercial real estate.

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 Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Financing: Most small business owners in Fort Lauderdale, Florida don't have the money to buy real estate with the cash on hand. However, there is a solution to this problem, allowing people without massive sums of money (but with a steady income) to buy real estate: the mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy real estate, and the real estate being purchased is used as collateral for the loan.

Concealment of Defects: if the seller or lessor of commercial real estate actively conceals a material defect in the real estate, they can be responsible to the buyer or renter for any damages caused by this concealment.

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: An encumbrance is any interest held in a piece of property by a party other than the seller and the buyer. These property interests might make it very challenging for the buyer to use the land as they intended when they bought it. A typical type of encumbrance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the easement. An easement is some right that a third party has in a piece of property. For example, suppose that, many years ago, a neighbor adjacent to the land you want to buy, paid a previous owner for the right to cross his land to reach a public road. Unless the agreement states otherwise, this right will usually apply to subsequent owners, and has to be honored. Therefore, it might interfere with the intended use of the new owner.

Can a Fort Lauderdale, Florida Attorney Help?

Because of the complexity and importance of many of the issues concerning commercial real estate, it is almost always essential to consult with a Fort Lauderdale, Florida attorney before buying or selling commercial real estate.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Fort Lauderdale

There are many exciting things to do in Fort Lauderdale. For starts, visitors can enjoy a day at the Lady Helen Fishing Charters, the Antique Car Museum, the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, the Beachfront, Stranahan House, or the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. For some great shopping and fine dining, Las Olas Boulevard is the place to go!

Fort Lauderdale has an approximate population of 165,521 people. The area is commonly known as it is a South Florida metropolitan area. Another reason for its popularity is its nickname--"the Venice of America." Fort Lauderdale gets its nickname because the city is filled with many intricate canal systems. This is so to compliment the major yatching center of the city, with 42,000 resident yachts and 100 marinas and boatyards.

There are many great law firms located in Fort Lauderdale. Primarily, there are many small to mid-size law firms located in the area. These firms house excellent attorneys who provide their clients with efficient and personalized legal services. For clients who require large, multinational law firm services, Miami is very near! Larger firms in Miami can serve those specific needs. All in all, Fort Lauderdale proves that there is more to Florida than Disney World and South Beach!

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