Bethel Park Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in Bethel Park, PA

Commercial Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

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

The laws in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania 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.

For instance, commercial real estate usually isn't covered by rent control laws, nor does it carry with it an implied warranty of habitability (because people generally won't be living in it). Furthermore, it also doesn't come with a covenant of quiet enjoyment. However, some of the most basic legal protections (such as laws against fraud, and concealment of defects) apply in both the commercial and residential context.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Financing: The majority of small business owners in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania 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.

Duty to Disclose Defects: It is of the utmost importance that sellers and lessors of commercial real estate be up front about any defects that might be present in the property. Failing to disclose them can be bad, and actively concealing them can be much worse. In general, if a defect is significant enough that it would influence a reasonable person's decision to buy a piece of property, and the seller knows about it, the seller should disclose it. Failure to disclose can have significant consequences. If the buyer later discovers the defect, they can sue for the cost of repairing it, or for any reduction in the property's value caused by it. And, of course, if it causes any injuries, the buyer can sue the seller for those, as well.

Duty to Inspect: This is a companion to the duty to disclose defects. Generally, buyers of real estate are expected to inspect the property. If they fail to conduct a good inspection, they might not be able to recover damages if they are harmed by any defects which an inspection would have revealed.

Encumbrances: An encumbrance is any interest held in a piece of property by a party other than the seller and the buyer. These property interests might make it very difficult for the buyer to use the land as they intended when they bought it. A common type of encumbrance in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania is the easement. An easement is some right that a third party has in a piece of property. For example, suppose that, many years ago, a neighbor adjacent to the land you want to buy, paid a previous owner for the right to cross his land to reach a public road. Unless the agreement states otherwise, this right will usually apply to subsequent owners, and has to be honored. Therefore, it might interfere with the intended use of the new owner.

Can a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania Attorney Help?

These issues can be very complicated, and most people consider such financially-weighty decisions to be very necessary. If you are one of those people, it's a smart move to contact a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania real estate attorney if you are facing any of the issues discussed above.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Bethel Park

Bethel Park, population 33,000, is located in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. Though recently incorporated in 1949, its existence as a settlement dates back to the early 1800's. In 1978 Bethel Park residents instituted a Home Rule form of Government. This provides the municipality and Council with greater governance powers than a traditional municipal scheme.

Bethel Park is quaintly situated in the southern hills of the Pittsburgh area. It is located about 8 miles south of Pittsburgh. The city's recreation department currently hosts several activities such as Summer Fun Day and local flea markets. The city also has a Farmer's Market which is open every Tuesday. Recreational activities such as swimming classes, tennis instruction, and aquatic programs are held throughout the city's recreation centers. Some of these centers include the Community Center, Village Green Park, Simmons Park, and Millennium Park.

Other points of interest in Bethel Park include the South Park Wave Pool, South Park Hundred Acres Manor, South Hills Village, and Blade Runners. Pittsburgh's first drive-in theater was also located in Bethel Park. The theater has recently been replaced with several retail shops and restaurants.

Lawyers in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania often file their cases in the Bethel Park District Court located in the town's Municipal Building. Bethel Park lawyers specialize in a wide variety of legal matters and issues.

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