Real Estate Law in New York

Watertown's real estate industry is governed by a huge body of laws. This is because almost any real estate transaction invokes laws concerning civil rights, consumer protection, land use, and contracts.

The huge volume of laws governing real estate in Watertown 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 Watertown's real estate law.

Having at least some knowledge of real estate law will be to your advantage in virtually any real estate transaction. Knowing the law can give you a bargaining advantage and prevent you from being saddled with obligations that you don't have to assume.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Watertown

Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in Watertown 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 control what types of structures can be built on given parcels of land. Typically, 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 Watertown, you have particular 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 Watertown 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 Watertown Real Estate Lawyer Help?

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