Realtors offer a lot of advice and direction to help ensure real estate transactions run smoothly, however, there are some legal aspects that they may not be equipped to handle.

Real estate lawyers may assist and advise as to legal matters pertaining to real estate transactions like purchases, appraisals, leases and otherwise. In many cases, a realtor will introduce you to a local real estate lawyer who can assist and advise with these matters.

Real estate law sits at the intersection of many other kinds of law. For example:

• Contract law is relevant because so many of the important documents you sign during the course of a Washington real estate transaction will be inherently contractual: buy-sell agreements, lease agreements, contractor agreements, insurance policies, etc.

• Personal injury law is relevant because, as an owner, landlord, or developer, you must make sure you are designing and maintaining your properties in a way that minimizes your exposure to liability for injury. Likewise, as a tenant or guest on commercial property, you may have a claim for premises liability after a property-related injury.

• Tax law is relevant because property owners have many opportunities to minimize their tax liability under state and federal law – but doing so requires careful navigation of complex real estate tax law. The penalties for getting it wrong can be severe.

• Perhaps most importantly, you need an advisor you can count on for smart, strategic, and reliable legal advice. That’s because Washington real estate transactions are complex, and the stakes are high. These deals are important, and you don’t want to make a costly mistake. (In real estate, the magnitude of a simple error may not manifest itself for many months, or even years!) By working with an experienced Tri-Cities real estate lawyer, you can make sure you have sound advice on your side at every turn.

Hames, Anderson, Whitlow & O’Leary, P.S. are Kennewick real estate attorneys you can trust and are committed to aggressive and efficient representation of clients in all legal matters.

For a no-obligation consultation:

Call Now at 509-586-7797

Real Estate Transactions

Realtors usually help their clients to negotiate and create documents related to real estate. These may include documents like financing agreements, lease and rental agreements, and purchase contracts. A real estate lawyer, on the other hand, is qualified to draft and make revisions to all documents and contracts required in real estate transactions to ensure they follow legal principles and benefit their client. A real estate lawyer may spot pending problems and address them before they become deal killers

If You Plan to Default on Your Home Loan

Many people will approach a real estate lawyer before deciding to voluntarily default on their home loan. Strategic defaults should only be considered after obtaining legal counsel from a real estate lawyer. It is important to fully understand how this process will affect them. Homeowners facing foreclosure will also want to consult with a real estate lawyer to ensure their contract rights are protected during the process.

Residential Real Estate Disputes (Litigation, Negotiation, Trial, Etc.)

A real estate lawyer will represent their client in court when faced with various real estate disputes. Some common real estate disputes include disagreements between neighbors, real estate transactions gone wrong, disputes between the broker, seller and buyer, property rights issues, boundary disputes, and landlord/tenant issues.

Commercial Real Estate Issues and Disputes

Commercial real estate issues can be quite complex. A real estate attorney representing persons or an organization will help choose the most suitable structure of a real estate transaction in order to minimize personal risk to the client. The real estate lawyer will also draft commercial leases on behalf of developers and contractors.

Landlord / Tenant Issues

As the Tri-Cities region grows, the market for property rentals here continues to expand. Accordingly, we see a wide range of landlord-tenant issues arising at every stage of the rental lifespan – from developing rental properties and drafting lease agreements – to confronting hazardous property conditions or executing eviction proceedings.

Hames, Anderson, Whitlow & O’Leary, P.S. is available to represent either landlords or tenants. We understand that the relationship between these two parties can be inherently contentious, and it is our goal to aggressively pursue the best interests of the client we represent in every case.

Of course, the best way to avoid landlord/tenant litigation is to avoid falling into legal disputes in the first place.

An experienced Tri-Cities real estate lawyer can help you stay in compliance with the law, draft legal agreements that minimize the risk of litigation later, and understand your rights (and potential liabilities) before problems arise.

Our Tri-Cities Real Estate Attorney Services

As experienced attorneys in the real estate industry, the lawyers at Hames, Anderson, Whitlow & O’Leary, P.S. are available to advise buyers, sellers, or developers with any of the following:

• Appraisals
• Building inspections
• Boundary disputes
• Breach of warranty
• Buy-sell agreements
• Closings (both residential and commercial)
• Condemnations
• Foreclosures
• Investment advice
• Purchase agreements
• Quiet title matters
• Title insurance
• And much more

Help at Every Step Along the Way

A real estate lawyer may also help to prepare transfer and financing documents on behalf of clients and ensure the transactions run smoothly.

There are many other roles of a real estate lawyer. If you have any legal concern on a real estate transaction, always approach a lawyer to help you find a favorable solution for your problem.

At Hames, Anderson, Whitlow & O’Leary, P.S., we’re here to help! We are committed to providing quality real estate legal services to individuals, businesses and institutions. All of our clients receive personal attention from our attorneys and from our experienced and dedicated staff. We strive to represent each client in a way that will match their goals and resources.

Talk to Our Experienced Tri-Cities Real Estate Attorneys Today

Don’t make the mistake of trying to handle a real estate transaction or dispute on your own.

Whether you’re dealing with a residential or commercial real estate matter, hiring an experienced real estate law firm in the Tri-Cities area is the best way to avoid major hassles and headaches down the road.

We urge you to contact our office and make sure you are approaching your real estate matter as wisely as possible.

For a no-obligation consultation:

Call us at 509-586-7797

We are Kennewick real estate attorneys that practice in all courts and before most agencies in the states of Washington and Oregon including Richland, Pasco, Kennewick, Hermiston, Benton City, Prosser, Grandview, Sunnyside, Finley, Burbank, Desert Aire, Mattawa, and Othello.