Locate Minnesota Real Estate Lawyers
In Minnesota, real estate law is a very broad area of law governing anything that has to do with the ownership of land and buildings.
Real estate law can apply to many numerous facets of a personal and professional life. It can apply to anything from the purchase of a vacant lot, to renting prime downtown office space.
Minnesota real estate law can be very intricate, because it's really a collection of a lot of different areas of law. These areas of law include property rights, contracts, land use, and many others.
Having a good general knowledge of Minnesota real estate law can make a lot of transactions, such as purchasing a house or renting an apartment, much easier.
Common Real Estate Issues in Minnesota
Financing: Most people in Minnesota probably can't afford to buy a house or a piece of land up front. Consequently, most individuals and business use some form of financing to purchase real estate, typically a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy a piece of real estate, with the purchased real estate simultaneously securing the loan.
Disclosure: When a house or other building is being sold, it's possible that there will be some physical defects in the structure. Potential buyers generally have a right to know about these defects, which means that sellers have to disclose them. Generally, if the defect is one that the seller knows about, and the buyer probably couldn't discover it through a normal inspection, the seller has to disclose it. Really, though, it's a good idea for sellers to disclose every defect they know about, whether or not they believe disclosure is technically required as to a specific defect.
Warranty of Habitability: When renting property to be utilized as a dwelling, the landlord, as a matter of law, implicitly promises that the dwelling will be suitable for human habitation. It doesn't matter what the lease says on this subject - it's always a requirement. Thus, a rented unit must have the basic amenities required for modern life - it must provide adequate shelter from the weather, it must have running water, it must have heating, and it must have electricity. Of course, there are many more particular requirements, and a court will also look at the condition of the unit as a whole when deciding whether or not it is habitable.
Zoning Laws: Zoning laws regulate what type of structures can be built in particular parts of a town or city. Their general purpose is to ensure that a city is as livable as possible by ensuring that residential areas are not too close to the noise and pollution of industrial areas. It is very important that, before you make any improvements to a piece of property, you make sure that the proposed improvements comply with Minnesota's zoning regulations.
Do I Need a Minnesota Real Estate Lawyer?
These issues, and the others that can affect real estate transactions, can be pretty complicated. Therefore, it's a good idea to contact a Minnesota real estate lawyer to advise you on the laws affecting your real estate transaction, or any other projects you may be planning.
Interesting Facts About Minnesota
Minnesota, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes", is located in the Midwest U.S. It has a population of over 5 million people, who mostly live in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region, also known as the "Twin Cities". Minnesota boasts a healthy economy, mostly dependent on raw material supply, as well as finished products.
Minnesota is noted for its diverse social and political makeup. It consistently has a high rate of voter turnout and civic/community participation. Community interests are represented at the state capitol building located in Saint Paul. The state legislature meets at the capitol building, which has a marble dome modeled after Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The elaborate dome is the second largest in the entire world.
The judicial system of Minnesota has three basic levels. Most claims are filed at the district court level, and appeals are heard at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The highest court is the Minnesota Supreme Court, which is also authorized to hear appeals in addition to complex legal claims. Minnesota's district court system is very extensive, with a total of over 270 district court judges. Minnesota also has two courts set up under administrative agencies, the Tax Court and the Worker's Compensation Court of Appeals.
Lawyers in Minnesota represent clients in all types of legal matters. Minnesota lawyers are knowledgeable of the state's court system, including the administrative courts. Attorneys in Minnesota also provide answers to legal questions and assistance with legal forms and documents.