Grand Rapids Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Real Estate attorney in Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate Law in Michigan

In Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids can sometimes feel overwhelming in their volume and complexity. This might apply doubly when your case involves a foreclosure, or a construction dispute.

Therefore, if you're planning on engaging in any kind of real estate transaction, it's necessary that you learn at least the basics of real estate law in Grand Rapids.

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 Grand Rapids

Financing: Most individuals are unable to make major real estate purchases in Grand Rapids with cash, because few people have that kind of money on hand. Thus, 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: When buying a home in Grand Rapids, you are safeguarded by the law. The seller has a legal obligation to disclose to the buyer any defects of which the seller is aware, which the buyer couldn't detect through a superficial inspection. If you are selling a home, it's probably best to disclose every defect you know about, to guarantee that you aren't faced with a lawsuit from the buyer sometime in the future.

Implied Warranty: All residential lease agreements in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids Real Estate Lawyer Help?

These issues, along with many others, can sometimes be fairly difficult. Therefore, you should never hesitate to consult with a Grand Rapids real estate attorney if you have any questions.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, MI is a city serving as the county seat of Kent County. It is a fairly large city, with a population of slightly under 200,000 people. Human habitation of the area now known as Grand Rapids can be traced back at least 2,000 years, when elements of the Hopewell Culture (a large group of tribes which extended from Canada down the Southeastern U.S., which developed cultural similarities through centuries of trade) lived in the area. By about 1700AD, the Ottawa Indians had moved into the area, and established a permanent presence. Europeans first reached Grand Rapids in the early 1800s, with the first settlers being missionaries and fur traders. In the early 20th Century, Grand Rapids, Michigan became known as "the furniture city" due to its large natural supply of lumber, which lead many famous furniture manufacturers and designers to set up shop there.Modernly, furniture and automotive industries still maintain a presence in Grand Rapids, Michigan. However, their presence has gradually waned over the past decades.

If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and need a good attorney, chances are good that you can find one. Grand Rapids, Michigan lawyers are very qualified to handle virtually any case that comes into their door.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA