Real Estate Law in Maryland
In Gaithersburg, real estate law can affect just about anything involving the use, purchase, or sale of land and fixtures to land, such as buildings.
The several laws affecting real estate in Gaithersburg can sometimes feel overwhelming in their volume and complexity. This might apply doubly when your case involves a foreclosure, or a construction dispute.
Therefore, it's always good to have at least some knowledge of Gaithersburg's real estate law.
Having at least some knowledge of real estate law will be to your advantage in essentially any real estate transaction. Knowing the law can give you a bargaining advantage and prevent you from being saddled with obligations that you don't have to assume.
Common Real Estate Law Issues in Gaithersburg
Financing: The majority of people in Gaithersburg can't afford to make a major real estate purchase by paying the entire purchase price up front. Most individuals and small businesses, therefore, use a mortgage to make real estate purchases. A mortgage is a loan given for the purpose of buying a piece of property, with the bank obtaining a security interest in that property until the loan and interest are paid off.
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 of Disclosure: Sellers of homes are bound by a legal duty to disclose defects in the home to prospective buyers, before they buy the house. Any defect which the seller knows (or reasonably should know) about, and which cannot be discovered by the buyer through an normal inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.
Implied Warranty: All residential lease agreements in Gaithersburg carry with them an implicit promise by the landlord that the property is fit for human habitation. This warranty does not need to be explicitly stated in order to have effect, and neither the tenant nor landlord can waive it. Any contract claiming to waive this warranty is void. To be considered habitable, a building must not be so dirty as to pose a health hazard, it must have running water, it must have electricity, and it must provide adequate protection from the weather. There are many other requirements, but if a building or unit lacks any one of those, it will be considered uninhabitable.
Can a Gaithersburg Real Estate Lawyer Help?
The issues briefly discussed above, as well as many others, can be very convoluted. Accordingly, if you are engaged in any real estate transaction, it's never a bad idea to first consult with an experienced Gaithersburg real estate attorney.