Real Estate Law

Handling Every Aspect Of Your Real Estate Legal Matter

The Connecticut real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott handle all aspects of acquiring, financing, developing, commercial leasing and selling interests in real estate. Real estate clients include individuals, developers, investors, lenders, joint ventures, landlords, tenants, corporations, real estate brokerage firms, construction companies, property management companies and similar enterprises. Our Connecticut real estate legal team handles simple residential as well as many types of complex commercial real estate transactions. The efforts of the real estate attorneys are supported by a knowledgeable staff of real estate paralegals. Our experienced attorneys will personally consult with clients regarding their closings and recognize the need for prompt service when a real estate transaction is involved. We are approved attorneys for more than 25 mortgage companies and banks and can more than adequately serve the needs of individuals and businesses in purchasing, financing and selling real estate.

The services provided by our real estate group include:

• Residential closings, including condominium and multifamily properties
• Commercial conveyancing and financing
• Real estate development
• Preparation of real estate contracts, including new construction contracts
• Foreclosures and short sales
• Commercial leasing
• 1031 exchanges
• Analyzing title issues, including boundary issues and easement disputes
• Preparation of easements, including utility easements, shared driveway agreements, open space dedications, land trust documents and boundary swaps
• Condemnations
• Real estate property tax appeals and appraisal evaluation
• Condominium and planned unit developments
• Zoning, land use planning and development
• Landlord representation concerning landlord/tenant disputes

Residential Closings, Including Condominium And Multifamily Properties

Our experienced Connecticut real estate attorneys have collectively handled thousands of residential closings for buyers, sellers and lenders. We can handle your transaction from start to finish whether it is your first home, a relocation, the purchase or sale of a vacation home or the refinance of your existing home. We recognize that each transaction is unique and deserves individual attention. Our attorneys are readily available to answer your questions and to help guide you through the process. Our experienced paralegals are an important part of the team and provide valuable assistance and skillfully coordinate all of the aspects of your transaction. The real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott can also provide valuable advice on specific types of purchases such as new construction, condominium or planned unit developments and multifamily properties. Our diverse practice also includes lawyers who can assist you with other questions that may arise due to your real estate transaction, including tax questions, estate planning and the preparation of a joint ownership agreement between unmarried partners acquiring real estate together.

Commercial Conveyancing And Financing

The commercial real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott have represented many buyers, sellers, lenders and ground tenants in simple and complex commercial real estate transactions. This work has included the purchase and sale of developed and undeveloped properties, including proposed subdivisions, condominiums, planned unit developments, shopping centers, office buildings, and industrial and mixed-use properties. We are familiar with the unique demands of commercial closings and have experienced staff that can assist in streamlining the process. Our attorneys understand the complexities of commercial contracts, leases and loan documents and have substantial experience in both reviewing and drafting such documents, including purchase and sale contracts, ground leases and other commercial leases, leasehold mortgages and all other financing instruments.

Real Estate Development

Our real estate attorneys have represented developers and builders with respect to all aspects of acquisition, development and sale of residential, commercial and industrial properties. Our real estate group has assisted developers in preparing contracts for assembling multiple pieces of property, acquiring utility easements and rights of way, and addressing the many types of issues that developers can encounter. The real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott can help you minimize disruptions to your project so that you can maintain positive relationships with your customers or tenants.

Preparation Of Real Estate Contracts, Including New Construction Contracts

Our attorneys can guide you through the process of determining what terms are needed in your residential or commercial real estate contract, and can both prepare and review proposed contracts. Our years of experience in conducting real estate transactions serve to allow us to understand the framework and potential pitfalls of the many types of real estate transactions. Our real estate team can assist you in determining what types of contingencies you may require in order to protect your interest and to reduce the potential risks in your transaction.

Foreclosures And Short Sales

The Connecticut real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott can help you navigate the purchase of a property in a foreclosure sale or a bank-owned property that has been recently foreclosed. We also have represented many homeowners seeking approval for a short sale, including those with multiple mortgages or other liens. Please also visit our litigation page for information about attorneys who represent clients in foreclosure proceedings in court.

Real Estate-Based Commercial Finance

The real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott have a great deal of experience in representing lenders and borrowers in financing and securing real estate, including transactions that include properties with multiple tenants, subdivisions and properties containing businesses operated by the borrower or related entities. Our attorneys can assist with simple to complex real estate financing transactions and have experience in all aspects of commercial finance.

1031 Exchanges

If you are selling property and you are considering doing a 1031 like-kind exchange, speak to one of our real estate attorneys before you sign a contract. Our real estate attorneys have experience in 1031 exchange transactions and can advise you as to important time frames so that you can best plan how and when to proceed. We have a working relationship with an experienced intermediary to facilitate 1031 exchanges for many types of properties without delaying the transaction. We recognize the importance of understanding the clients’ objectives in such transactions and will work closely with your investment advisors whenever appropriate.

Analyzing Title Issues, Including Boundary Issues And Easement Disputes

Title issues can arise in a number of contexts and can be costly and time-consuming to remedy. Our real estate attorneys have many years of experience in addressing all types of title issues and can provide practical advice of how to address the problems in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

Preparation Of Easements, Including Utility Easements, Shared Driveway Agreements, Open Space Dedications, Land Trust Documents And Boundary Swaps

The Connecticut real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott have represented individual landowners and developers in the drafting of easements and other instruments such as shared driveway agreements, conservation easements and other types of conveyances. We are familiar with the requirements of the major utility companies and can quickly and efficiently provide what is required to keep your project on schedule. We can also assist you in determining the appropriate procedure to effectuate a boundary swap or the acquisition of a portion of real estate abutting your property.

Condemnations

Our real estate lawyers are knowledgeable about eminent domain and conveyances made in lieu of condemnation. Whether you are a landowner or an authority with rights of condemnation, we can help guide you through the process. For information about our attorneys who handle appeals relating to compensation awards in condemnation proceedings, please see our Commercial Litigation page.

Real Estate Property Tax Appeals And Appraisal Evaluation

If your property tax assessment is particularly high, as a property owner, you have the right to appeal that assessment. Speak to one of our real estate attorneys with experience in tax appeals before you begin the process to ensure that you follow the appropriate procedure to preserve your rights, as well to gain assistance in gathering the appropriate evidence needed to build your case.

Condominiums And Other Community Associations

If you are a developer in need of guidance as to how to create a condominium association or planned unit development, the real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott can help. Our attorneys have assisted developers in creating many such communities and can prepare the necessary documentation in an efficient and cost-effective manner without slowing down your project. If you are a board member of an association and need advice on the rights and responsibilities of the association, one of our real estate attorneys can help you navigate through the framework of the association documents and applicable statutes.

Zoning, Land Use Planning And Development

The real estate attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott, in Hartford, represent property owners in all aspects of zoning law, including applying for variances, special permits, zone changes and subdivision approvals, defending zoning enforcement actions and taking zoning appeals. This unique area of the law has a profound impact on the use of your property and can greatly affect the value of your real estate. Professional advice with respect to planning and zoning issues is critical for any landowner and should be employed at all stages of the process.

Related Articles And Publications

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• Commercial Tenants: Get The Best Lease You Can
• Eight Key Points For Contractors To Know About Safety Obligations In Construction Contracts