Real Estate

Real estate law is the name given to the branch of civil law that covers rights to possess, use, and enjoy land and the permanent manmade additions attached to it. This includes the capacity to hold interests in real property, permissible interests in real property, relations between owners, relations between owners and the community, landlord and tenant relations, the transfer of interests in real property, and real property financing, including deeds and mortgages. Real estate transactions, such as purchases, sales, and leases, are governed by a wide body of federal and state law, and the requirements established by state law often differ from state to state.

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Legal articles focusing on Real Estate Law
Real Estate Forms
Use these state-specific real estate forms for putting your house up for sale, buying house, or if you're a landlord or renter.
Searching for Real Estate Information on Your Own
There are lots of reasons you may want information on a parcel of real estate - everything from curiosity to protecting your legal interests. There are also a number of ways to find information about homes and land, and several are as near as your computer.
Deducting Moving Expenses
You may be able to deduct your moving expenses if you moved due to a change in your job or business. If you qualify, you may deduct moving expenses whether you itemize deductions or not. Your move must be closely related to the start of your work and you must satisfy a distance and a time test.
Second Home Ownership
Many people are tempted to buy a second home. Before you purchase a second home, carefully consider your reasons for doing so, analyze the expenses and effect on your taxes, and decide whether it would make sense to invest in a rental property.
Who Does a Real Estate Agent or Broker Represent?
Are you thinking of buying or selling a home? If so, you've probably thought about getting some help from a real estate professional. Before you do, however, it's important that you get an answer to a critical but often unasked question: Who does a real estate agent or broker represent, exactly?

Ask a Lawyer - Real Estate Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Transfer of Property Subject to Land Trust

A relative has passed away, family now finding out she sold property to a care giver for $10 using a quit claim deed but property is involved in a land trust from the 1998...does the land trust over ride the quit claim deed?

Real Estate Appraisal

Can a person who does not have his license appraise your house? I was told by the person who was supposed to have been the appraiser, that he was in training. He came by himself walked in and out took some pictures of the back side of my house, a picture or two of my living room and left.

Co-Ownership of Real Property - One Owner Wants Out

My son bought a house with someone else (1/2 owner) he doesn't want to live there anymore. He wants the other person to buy his 1/2 or sell the house. The other person doesn't want to do either. What are his legal options if any?

Junior Or Second Mortgage In Foreclosure Sale

My house was recently foreclosed on; it was a rental house and I had a second mortgage on it. What happens to the second mortgage now?

Deficiency Judgment

I own a six unit apartment building. It was purchased through a land contract. The seller holds the mortgage. I missed August 08 payment. I was never late for over 4 years to this point. The seller threatened to have the tenants cars towed etc. if they don't pay rents to him, which they did. I have since paid all except $1500 to seller and have agreed to turn the building back to him in exchange for a release. He refuses and says he wants to sell the building and then settle. What if the sale price does not cover the note?


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