Locate Ohio Real Estate Lawyers

In Ohio, 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 various 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.

Ohio real estate law can be very complicated, 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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Financing: Most people in Ohio probably can't afford to buy a house or a piece of land up front. Thus, most individuals and business use some form of financing to purchase real estate, normally 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 structure is for sale, the seller has to tell prospective buyers about all physical defects of which the seller is aware, and which the buyer couldn't be reasonably expected to discover. However, if you are selling a house, you should probably just disclose every defect you're aware of. This will save you a great deal of potential liability. Even if your disclosure of a particular defect wasn't required (because the buyer could have easily discovered it), the buyer might still sue, and the cost of defending this lawsuit, even if you win, will be very high.

Warranty of Habitability: This applies in residential leases. Landlords are under a legal duty, whether it's clearly stated in the lease agreement or not, to ensure that the rented property is fit for human habitation. The requirements for habitability often include electricity, heating, running water, a working phone line, and protection from the elements. Of course, that list is not exhaustive.

Zoning Laws: Zoning laws state what can and cannot be built on a specific piece of property, usually based on the land's location within the town or city. Areas are normally zoned with the goal of ensuring that residential areas are not too close to industrial areas, among other things. If you have some kind of construction project planned on your property, you should make absolutely sure that it is in compliance with Ohio zoning laws BEFORE you begin.

Do I Need a Ohio Real Estate Lawyer?

These issues can be very intricate, and the above discussion can't replace the advice of an expert on the subject. Thus, if you have any real estate issues, it's never a bad idea to make an appointment with a real estate attorney in Ohio.

Interesting Facts About Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state containing a large concentration of highly populated U.S. cities. Ohio's location and demographics make it somewhat of a "microcosm" of the U.S., as it features elements of eastern, western, northern, and southern cultures.

The state capitol building of Ohio is called The Ohio Statehouse and is located in the city of Columbus. Unlike most other state capitols, Ohio Statehouse's architecture does not resemble the U.S. capitol building. The Statehouse is home to the state legislature, the governor's office, and also contains a museum. Ohio's court system consists of the Courts of Common Pleas, the intermediate-level District Court system, and the "court of last resort", the Ohio Supreme Court.

The Ohio Supreme Court has produced several key decisions involving First Amendment issues and other Constitutional rights. Some of these include: Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), establishing the "clear and present danger" doctrine; Minarcini v. Strongsville (Ohio) School District, addressing student library rights; and McIntyre v. Ohio Election Commission (1995), a case involving political speech.

Ohio lawyers can provide legal advice, represent clients in court, and assist persons with various legal needs. Lawyers in Ohio can typically be found practicing at the Courts of Common Pleas, where most claims originate. Attorneys in Ohio are on hand to help serve the needs of Ohio communities.