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Real Estate

Do you need an experienced real estate lawyer?

Real estate law is concerned with legal issues related to real estate (also called "real property"). Ms. Jensen has been advising and representing clients on real estate related matters for 35 years. The area of real estate law encompasses many different types of matters, such as:

  • Buying & selling of real estate
  • Lease drafting & negotiation
  • Zoning
  • Boundary/lot line Disputes
  • Liens
  • Title clearing issues
  • Quiet title
  • Easements
  • Land use matters

Buying and Selling of Real Estate in California

It is sometimes important to have an attorney review the documents involved in the purchase and sale of a house, commercial property, vacant land, and other real estate. Issues can arise regarding financing, title, and encumbrances, which should be reviewed by an attorney.

Sometimes a dispute arises between the buyer and seller which may be resolved by mediation or litigation. To protect your rights, it is important that an attorney be involved in any dispute from the earliest time that trouble arises.

Title Clearance

Sometimes title to real property is not where people think it is. In those cases, a real estate attorney can help you find the most cost effective way to "clear title." This may involve litigation, such as a quiet title action, but may be something as simple as identifying the holder of an interest and getting that person to record a quit claim deed.

Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions

Often, prior owners have recorded convenants that run with the land and restrict how a new owner can use the property. An attorney can explain these restrictions and, in some cases, have them removed from the property.

Home Owners Associations

Condominiums and other forms of common ownership of real estate are controlled by home owner associations ("HOAs") created by certain documents. A unit owner has certain rights and so does the HOA. An experienced real estate attorney can help when a dispute arises between a unit owner and the HOA.

What is a Lien?

A lien is a claim against your property, which means that someone is claiming an interest in your property because you owe him or her money. In most cases you can’t sell your property unless all liens and encumbrances are removed. Since a lien could stop a sale, you have to get the lien removed. The most common way a lien is removed is by paying the creditor what they say you owe and having them release the lien.

There are a variety of types of liens that may encumber property. For example, if someone owes you money, you can get a judgment against him or her. The recorded judgment can be a “judgment lien” on the property of the person who you have the judgment against. Other common types of liens are tax liens and mechanics liens.

We have been helping Californians with the purchase and sale of real estate, including the removal of liens and other title clearance issues, for 35 years and we can help you. If you need help with buying or selling property, please call us and we will see what we can do for you. In any case, do not sign anything until an attorney has reviewed the proposed transaction.

Please call us now for an inexpensive, confidential consultation.