Real Estate Transactions
The attorneys at the CVM Law Group provide legal advice and representation in real estate transactions from Sacramento and Irvine in California to Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. The firm's lawyers help real estate companies acquire, develop, lease, and sell commercial properties from shopping malls and retail stores to office buildings, apartment complexes, industrial parks, and mixed use facilities.
Acquisition
Completing a transaction involving developed or undeveloped commercial property can be a complicated matter. Real estate companies go to tremendous effort to locate the property that best suits their needs, including considerable investment conducting preliminary investigations, surveys, and inspections. When a company has decided on the property that will best suit its needs, attorneys at the CVM Law Group work to see that all the legal issues are properly addressed and that the deal succeeds in the client's best interests.
In addition to negotiating, drafting, and reviewing the contract of sale, CVM lawyers may assist in the survey of the property and review the title; help to obtain financing and deal with other lending, banking, and finance issues; or review the accuracy and adequacy of transfer disclosure statements. Acquiring the property may further require obtaining necessary licenses and permits, dealing with zoning and land use planning issues, or resolving questions surrounding previously-granted easements or other encroachments on the clear title to the property.
The firm's business and corporate law section is well-versed in business entity formation, including the formation of joint ventures for real estate acquisition and development. CVM can also be of further assistance at the completion of the project, helping companies wind up all outstanding legal and financial affairs.
Development
From tying up the project site to selling the completed project, from negotiations with landowners to city council meetings, the CVM Law Group provides the necessary advice and representation to move the project forward to its conclusion. Whether dealing with separate design and construction contracts or single-source design-build agreements, the firm's attorneys are experienced negotiators familiar with the legal issues surrounding real estate development. The firm also understands zoning and land use planning concerns with subdivisions, planned unit developments, and commercial spaces.
Leases and Sales
The goal of most real estate development projects is to lease or sell the improved property and realize a substantial gain on the investment. While market forces may dictate the decision to sell or lease and set the price, there are legal issues to consider in conducting a successful transaction.
The use of restrictive covenants is widespread in the area of commercial lease assignments; a commercial restrictive covenant may concern itself with anything from the height or color of a building to regulating the activities which may be conducted on the property. When clearly and fairly written, these covenants can benefit the lessor and surrounding property owners as well as the tenant. Legal assistance in negotiating and drafting such lease provisions is critical to achieving the aims desired and forestalling any future litigation derived from a misunderstanding of covenant restrictions.
Another growing area of the law involves the increase in commercial condominiums as a form of property ownership and alternative to the traditional commercial lease. Hand in hand with the commercial condominium is the commercial condominium association, made up of unit members of the property. The allocation of voting rights among members and other issues are normally addressed, and to a certain extent controlled, by the developer until a certain percentage of units are sold and the association reaches a threshold. After this point, the association governs itself without participation from the developer.
Asset Management
Real estate properties represent significant financial investments, and simply maintaining the value of a property in a fluctuating market requires constant supervision and active management. Whether the goal of the investment is to produce income, grow value, or provide tax advantages, lawyers at the CVM Law Group understand the market-based and legal issues that must be considered and addressed. These issues include but are not limited to the location of the property; its current condition and the costs required to repair, improve, or maintain; appreciation and depreciation; the property tax burden and the existence of any incentives; zoning issues for planned changes in use; construction, development, or landlord-tenant matters; and environmental issues.
Seek Experienced Legal Representation
Attorneys at the CVM Law Group define a successful transaction in part as one which prevents the need for litigation at a later date due to a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of a poorly-worded contract. The CVM team further works to protect the client's rights and interests in the event a dispute does arise, helping to ensure that the matter will be resolved fairly and efficiently and without the client being placed in a disadvantageous situation due to poor wording in the contract, waiving rights or agreeing to unfavorable terms for dispute resolution.
For comprehensive legal assistance in any real estate transaction in Northern or Southern California or in Tennessee, contact the CVM Law Group.
