Lansing Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Lansing, MI

Commercial Real Estate Law in Michigan

In Lansing, Michigan, commercial real estate is any type of real property (land or permanent structures) being used for business purposes.

Commercial real estate in Lansing, Michigan is regulated by laws which differ significantly from state and local laws that apply to residential real estate.

Buyers and renters of residential property enjoy some pretty significant 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.

These absent protections include rent control, and warranties of habitability, among others. The most basic protections, such as prohibiting sellers of real estate from lying about the property to the buyer, apply in any context, however.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Lansing, Michigan

Financing: The majority of small business owners in Lansing, Michigan probably can't afford to buy much real estate outright, with cash paid up front, so most small business purchase commercial real estate with a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan taken out for the purpose of buying real estate, using that real estate as collateral for the loan.

Disclosure of Defects: Sellers of real estate have an obligation to inform prospective buyers of any defects present in the property, such as water damage and other structural problems. Basically, if the defect is significant enough that it might affect a reasonable buyer's decision on whether or not to purchase the property, and the seller knows about it, it must be disclosed. Failure to disclose such defects would give a buyer the right to sue the seller, and recover significant damages, including the cost of repairing the defect, compensation for any injuries or illness caused by it, and the reduction in the property's value caused by the defect.

Duty to Inspect: Lest you believe that the duty to disclose defects relieves any duty of diligence on the part of the buyer, the law will not reward such lapses with a major cause of action. Buyers have a duty to conduct a reasonable inspection of the property before they buy it, usuallyy with a licensed building inspector. If the buyer fails to do this, they won't be able to recover any damages for defects which they could have discovered through a reasonable inspection.

Encumbrances: Undisclosed encumbrances are defects of another sort: defects of title. An encumbrance is any interest that a third party has in the Lansing, Michigan commercial real estate. These usually take the form of easements, which are rights held by third parties to use the land for a specific purpose. Easements can have profound effects on how a new owner can use the land, so it is essential to know about them before buying.

Can a Lansing, Michigan Attorney Help?

These issues can be very complicated, and most people consider such financially-weighty decisions to be very essential. If you are one of those people, it's a smart move to contact a Lansing, Michigan real estate attorney if you are facing any of the issues discussed above.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Lansing

Lansing, Michigan is the capital of the state of Michigan. It currently has a population of approximately 115,000 people, making it the 5th largest city in Michigan. It is located in Ingham and Eaton Counties.

Lansing, Michigan is home to the largest law school in the U.S. - Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. Many Lansing, Michigan attorneys went to this university, and returned to Lansing to practice. It is also home to the Michigan State University School of Law, which is ranked among the top 100 law schools in America, meaning that there are many prestigious lawyers practicing in Lansing, Michigan.

These universities are also among the largest employers in Lansing, Michigan, employing people in a wide range of professions, such as teaches and administrators, as well as custodial personnel.

If you live in Lansing, Michigan and need an attorney, there's an excellent chance that you'll be able to find the Lansing, Michigan lawyer who can help you with your legal issue.

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