Real Estate Law in Maine

In Farmington, real estate law can affect just about anything involving the use, purchase, or sale of land and fixtures to land, such as buildings.

The numerous laws affecting real estate in Farmington 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 a good idea to learn some of the basics of Farmington's real estate laws.

Knowing the law can serve you in a variety of ways: it can put you in a better negotiating position, it can help you spot unlawful terms in lease agreements, and confirm that you know your rights if a disagreement arises, among other things.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Farmington

Financing: The majority of people in Farmington can't afford to make a major real estate purchase by paying the full 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 to Disclose: sellers of real estate, particularly 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 frequent 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 Farmington, 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 Farmington Real Estate Lawyer Help?

The issues discussed here, along with others, can be complicated and complicated. Therefore, if you have any questions on this subject, you should not hesitate to ask a Farmington real estate lawyer.