Salem Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Salem, OR

Commercial Real Estate Law in Oregon

Commercial real estate is any form of land or structure in Salem, Oregon which is utilized for business purposes, mainly the sale of goods and/or services to the public.

The laws in Salem, Oregon which govern commercial real estate differ significantly from the laws governing the rental and purchase of residential real estate.

People who buy and rent residential unites have a greater deal of legal protections not available to buyers of commercial property.

These absent protections include rent control, and warranties of habitability, among others. The most general protections, such as prohibiting sellers of real estate from lying regarding the property to the buyer, apply in any context, however.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Salem, Oregon

Financing: The majority of small business owners in Salem, Oregon probably can't afford to buy much real estate outright, with cash paid up front, so most small business buy commercial real estate with a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan taken out for the purpose of buying real estate, using that real estate as collateral for the loan.

Disclosure of Defects: Sellers of real estate have an requirement to inform prospective buyers of any defects present in the property, such as water damage and other structural problems. Essentially, if the defect is significant enough that it might affect a reasonable buyer's decision on whether or not to purchase the property, and the seller knows about it, it must be disclosed. Failure to disclose such defects would give a buyer the right to sue the seller, and recover significant damages, including the cost of repairing the defect, compensation for any injuries or illness caused by it, and the reduction in the property's value caused by the defect.

Duty to Inspect: Lest you believe that the duty to disclose defects relieves any duty of diligence on the part of the buyer, the law will not reward such lapses with a major cause of action. Buyers have a duty to conduct a reasonable inspection of the property before they buy it, usuallyy with a licensed building inspector. If the buyer fails to do this, they won't be able to recover any damages for defects which they could have discovered through a reasonable inspection.

Encumbrances: An encumbrance is some small ownership interest in land held by a third party, or some right held by a third party to restrict the use of a parcel of land. A common encumbrance is an easement. In Salem, Oregon, an easement is some right of some third party to make limited use of land owned by someone else. For instance, cable companies often purchase easements from property owners (or they are imposed by the government) allowing them to string cable wiring from the telephone wires on the street to nearby houses. Like any other property right, the holder of an easement can prevent others from interfering with it. Obviously, if a buyer doesn't know about an encumbrance on a piece of land, he might find that he's unable to make the use of the land that he was expecting.

Can a Salem, Oregon Attorney Help?

Because of the complexity and importance of many of the issues regarding commercial real estate, it is almost always imperative to consult with a Salem, Oregon attorney before buying or selling commercial real estate.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Salem

Salem, Oregon is the capital of the state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the scenic Willamette Valley, on the banks of the Willamette River. It is the third-largest city in the state of Oregon, with a population of 155,000.

Salem, OR was first settled by Europeans in 1812, where explorers established it as a trading post. In the 1840s, more permanent settlement came in the form of Christian missionaries. Shortly thereafter, Salem became the capital of the Oregon Territory, and continued to serve in this capacity when Oregon became a state in 1859.

Because it is the state capital, Salem, Oregon's economy is supported heavily by jobs created by the state government, which is the largest employer in Salem. In addition to employing all of the state elected officials in Oregon, from the governor down to state legislators, the government of Oregon, through its many agencies headquartered in Salem, employs a large number of administrative personnel, and other professionals. In particular, the state government employs many Salem, Oregon lawyers.

In Salem, there are also many lawyers in private practice. Salem, Oregon is home to Willamette University School of Law, which is part of the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette University's law school has graduated hundreds of successful Salem, Oregon lawyers throughout its long history.

If you are facing a legal issue in Salem, Oregon and need assistance, it's highly likely that you'll be able to find a Salem, Oregon attorney who can help you.

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