Real Estate Lawyer Los Angeles

The Wroan Law Firm is well qualified to meet the needs of its clients in the southern California real estate market and beyond. We handle a variety of Real Estate issues and matters including the following:

  • Buying Real Estate (Purchase of Real Estate including mergers and acquisitions)
  • Selling Real Estate
  • Leases and other landlord / tenant matters governed by California real property law
  • Commercial residential leases
  • Real Estate partnership and partners, LLC and corporation interests
  • Real Estate partner disputes
  • Real Estate Broker Law, Listing Agreements and Contracts
  • Real Estate Broker fee and commission disputes
  • Business Broker Law and fee and commission disputes
  • Real Estate Loan, Trust Deed and Mortgage and Financing issues
  • Real Estate Bank and Lender Disputes
  • Short Sales in Real Estate
  • California Foreclosure law
  • Truth In Lending Act (TILA) Violations
  • Partition of real property
  • Quiet title
  • Real estate fraud and non-disclosure real estate disputes
  • State and Federal Disclosure Law
  • Real Estate Loan Modifications
  • Real Estate Closings
  • Defective real estate property disputes
  • Real Estate Co-Owner Agreements, including Tenant in Common, TIC, California Real Estate Partner and Partnership Contracts and Agreements
  • California 1031 Exchanges in Real Estate, including Commercial, Apartments, and Industrial

The following real estate legal information is general in nature. It is not intended to address your particular concerns regarding any real property or real estate litigation matter. Contact the Wroan Law Firm to schedule a consultation 310.973.4291.

Real Estate Law – An Overview

Real estate law includes both federal and state issues, with the state-level rules varying widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. These state and federal laws encompass everything from ownership of land and buildings to related issues such as financing, leasing, construction, taxes, and environmental laws. A competent and experienced real estate attorney can protect a party’s interests in both routine and complex transactions and disputes.

Brokers

A seller may employ a real estate broker to solicit potential buyers for the property. The seller and the broker sign a listing agreement, obliging the broker to work to find a buyer and the seller to pay the broker’s commission if a sale results. A buyer may employ a real estate broker to locate suitable property. Real estate brokers are generally subject to rigorous licensing standards established by each state. As an agent, a real estate broker or salesperson has duties and obligations to the person who hired him or her. If an agreement to purchase the property is made, that agreement is strictly between the seller and buyer, and the broker is not a party to that agreement and generally makes no promises about the property.

Real Estate Contracts and Transfers

The purchase agreement between a real estate buyer and seller is governed by the general principles of contract law. In order to enforce a real property contract, the statute of frauds requires that the contract be evidenced in writing. To transfer ownership to real estate the title must be marketable and be free from 3rd party claims or liability, which means that it must be free and clear of all encumbrances, liens, clouds, litigation risks, or other title defects. To ensure marketable title, the buyer typically employs an attorney or a title insurance company to perform a title search. In a title search, the searcher examines the public records in the county in which a property is located to map a chain of title by examining all the recorded deeds concerning the property. The title searcher will also determine if there are any encumbrances on the property, such as mortgages, unpaid real estate taxes, liens for municipal improvements, unpaid federal taxes, government claims, legal judgments, foreclosures, condemnations, covenants, and easements. A title insurance company will insure the buyer against losses caused by the title’s invalidity.

To pass title, the seller must execute and deliver a deed with a proper description of the land. Many states require that the deed be officially recorded to establish ownership of the property and to provide notice of its transfer to subsequent purchasers.

Mortgages

The most common method of financing a real estate transaction is through a loan secured by a mortgage on the property. A mortgage involves the transfer of an interest in land as security for an obligation. A borrower typically repays a mortgage in installments that include both interest and principal payments. If the borrower doesn’t make payments, foreclosure can result, with the lender declaring that the entire mortgage debt is due immediately. In a foreclosure sale of the property the trustee may ‘foreclose’ and sale the property at an auction to satisfy any remaining mortgage debt.

The actual foreclosure process depends on state law, the terms of the mortgage, and whether other liens exist on the property. Many states allow late payments to avoid foreclosure, and many lenders attempt to work out a payment plan to avoid a foreclosure. If a lender is threatening foreclosure, a borrower should immediately contact a competent and experienced real estate attorney to protect the borrower’s interests and pursue all available resolutions.

Conclusion

Real estate transactions and disputes involve many laws, which vary greatly from state to state. If you are buying or selling real estate or are involved in a dispute regarding real estate, it is in your best interest to get in touch with an experienced real estate attorney to ensure that your rights are protected.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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