Real Estate Law in Michigan

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

The massive volume of laws governing real estate in Washtenaw County might seem overwhelming to the uninitiated. Indeed, they can get very complicated, especially when issues about title defects or construction disputes are involved.

Therefore, it's always good to have at least some knowledge of Washtenaw County's real estate law.

Some understanding of the proper law can give you an advantage in almost any situation. In the real estate instance, it can help you spot illegal terms in lease agreements, give you some idea of what your rights are in a dispute, among other things. If nothing else, knowledge of the law can help you spot people who are willing to break it, so you can avoid dealing with them.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Washtenaw County

Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in Washtenaw County with cash, because few people have that kind of money on hand. Therefore, to buy real estate, most entities use a mortgage. This is a loan used to buy a piece of property. When the loan is issued, and the property purchased, the lender holds a security interest in the property until the loan is paid off, with interest.

Zoning: Zoning laws govern what types of structures can be built on given parcels of land. Usually, cities and towns are zoned in order to ensure that neighborhoods are clearly divided into residential, commercial, and industrial categories, to ensure that everyone who uses the land can make the best possible use of it, for their particular purpose

Duty to Disclose: If you're buying a house in Washtenaw County, you have specific legal protections. The seller has a duty to tell the buyer about any defects that the property has. All defects which the seller knows about, and which the buyer can't be expected to discover through an ordinary inspection, must be disclosed. If the seller fails to disclose a defect, and the buyer later discovers it, the seller can be sued for any diminution in the property's value caused by the defect, the cost of repairing it, and any injuries the buyers suffers as a result.

Implied Warranties: Every lease of a residential unit in Washtenaw County carries with it an implicit promise by the owner that the unit will meet some basic minimum standards for human habitability. There are many factors that go into determining if an unit is "habitable," but there are a few essentials, and they include running water, heat, electricity, and adequate shelter from the elements.

Can a Washtenaw County Real Estate Lawyer Help?

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