Athens Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Athens, GA

Commercial Real Estate Law in Georgia

In Athens, Georgia, "commercial real estate" is any form of land or building which is utilized for a business, as opposed to residential, purpose.

Commercial real estate in Athens, Georgia is controlled by laws which differ significantly from state and local laws that apply to residential real estate.

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

These include implied warranties of habitability, rent control, and covenants of use and quiet enjoyment, among various others. Of course, the most general protections, such as prohibiting the seller from actively concealing defects, apply to both.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Athens, Georgia

Financing: Many businesses in Athens, Georgia can't save up enough money to pay the full asking price of a decent-sized piece of real estate up front. Nonetheless, it's sometimes necessary for businesses to acquire real estate. To solve this issue, most rely on a mortgage. A mortgage is a typical type of loan, taken out to purchase real estate. The lending institution lends the full purchase price to the borrower, who then purchases the property. The property, in turn, becomes collateral for the loan, which must be paid back over a period of years, with interest.

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 liable 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. Therefore, 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 challenging or impossible for a landowner to make full use of their land. In Athens, Georgia, 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 specific 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 Athens, Georgia Attorney Help?

Because of the importance and potential complexity of the issues surrounding commercial real estate, it's almost always judicious that, before engaging in any real estate deal, you seek the counsel of a good Athens, Georgia real estate attorney.

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Life in Athens

Athens, Georgia has a population of over 115,000 people and is located in the northeastern region of the state. Athens is actually a consolidated city-county, created by combing Clarke County and the city of Athens itself (also the county seat). Athens Is known for being home to the University of Georgia and is considered by many to be a premiere example of a college town.

As a college town, the student life drives much of Athens' social, intellectual, and cultural scene. In particular, music has always been a central tenet of life in Athens. Many restaurants, bars, and local establishments cater to the music scene and help to further the creative legacy of the city. Famous musical figures from Athens have included: R.E.M., the Indigo Girls, the Primates, and the Athens Boys Choir. The city hosts AthFest, which is an art and music festival held every summer.

Other popular events and attractions in Athens, Georgia include Naturalists' Walks, Contra Dance at Memorial Park, and the Twilight Series bicycle races held each spring. Some of the nation's most outstanding bar and grills are also located in Athens. Alongside its modern establishments, an abundance of American historical artifacts can also be found in the city.

Lawyers in Athens, Georgia often assist their clients at the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court. The Superior Court is located in the city and process a wide range of legal claims. Many Athens lawyers spend time researching legal inquiries at the Athens-Clarke County Law Library.

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