Locate North Dakota Real Estate Lawyers

In North Dakota, real estate law is a very broad area of law covering 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.

North Dakota 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 basic knowledge of North Dakota real estate law can make a lot of transactions, such as buying a house or renting an apartment, much easier.

Common Real Estate Issues in North Dakota

Financing: Most people in North Dakota 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 used 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. Therefore, 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 specific 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: Zoning regulations typically divide cities into sections, or "zones," and state what types of buildings can be built in the different sections. Zones will be categorized by the type of use permitted, such as residential, industrial, commercial, etc. If you own a piece of property and want to make improvements to it, you should check the local zoning ordinance to ensure that any improvements you plan on making comply with all of North Dakota's zoning regulations.

Do I Need a North Dakota Real Estate Lawyer?

The issues discussed above, as well as the many others that can affect real estate, can get very difficult. For that reason, it's probably a good idea to consult with a North Dakota real estate lawyer before undertaking any major real estate transaction.

Interesting Facts About North Dakota

North Dakota is located in the Great Plains or "High Plains" of America, near the Canadian border. The state lies in the middle of the North American Continent; in the city of Rugby, a stone marks the "Geographic Center" of North America. With its central location, North Dakota is an important center for manufacturing in the U.S., especially in the area of technology.

North Dakota's highest court of law is the North Dakota Supreme Court. The court meets in the capitol building in the city of Bismarck. North Dakota's judicial branch is somewhat atypical because there is no permanent court of appeals. Instead, the Supreme Court is empowered to establish a "Temporary Court of Appeals". This temporary court is set up for specific claims and is presided over by a three-judge panel.

Other important courts in North Dakota are the Municipal Courts and the District Courts Many district courts in North Dakota have installed Odyssey systems, which allow for electronic filing of court documents. North Dakota is well-known for its extensive body of corporation law. In 1992, the Quill v. North Dakota case clarified rules for tax requirements for out-of-state corporations. The case is frequently cited, especially in relation to new developments like online sales taxes.

Lawyers in North Dakota typically file most lawsuits through the District Court system. North Dakota lawyers are skilled at interpreting the law and assisting clients with legal remedies. Attorneys in North Dakota tailor their legal services to the specific needs of the community.