Real Estate Attorney in Grand Rapids, MI
Real estate is a complex business filled with lengthy forms and legal jargon that leaves many Grand Rapids residents feeling overwhelmed and confused. At Hirzel Law, PLC, our Grand Rapids real estate attorneys take great pride in providing the highest quality of legal representation and swiftly responding to our clients’ real estate needs. Whether you need legal support developing commercial real estate or land use planning, our team of experienced Grand Rapids real estate attorneys is here to assist.
In today’s increasingly complex real estate environment, Hirzel Law’s Grand Rapids real estate lawyers provide expert counsel to businesses and residents to successfully manage any real estate matter in which they engage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
We Handle Every Aspect of Real Estate Matters in Grand Rapids
At Hirzel Law, our Grand Rapids real estate attorneys advocate for homeowners, tenants, landlords, real estate developers, and numerous other commercial clients with all real estate litigation. Following are some of the real estate affairs we regularly manage for our Grand Rapids clients.
Boundary Disputes
In Grand Rapids, boundary disputes are often some of the most contentious matters in real estate. These disputes frequently occur when adjacent property owners disagree on whether a deed or easement accurately illustrates the borders of adjacent properties. In most cases, boundary disputes arise after one property owner argues that the other property owners or their predecessors by title have altered the property boundary lines. Generally, claims relating to boundary disputes are linked to:
- Acquiescence
- Adverse possession
- Trespass
At Hirzel Law, our Grand Rapids real estate lawyers are highly experienced in advocating for property owners facing such challenges. We can launch a fact-intensive investigation into how properties and boundaries have been dealt with over a given period and help you establish the accurate boundary between properties.
Commercial Real Estate
Hirzel Law has a team of dynamic litigators who are seasoned in commercial real estate development matters relating to sales, land purchases, and subsequent commercial developments. Our real estate attorneys are prepared to help you with a wide range of commercial real estate and development matters, such as:
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Liens
- Construction Litigation
- Due Diligence
- Estoppel Letters
- Financing
- Insurance Analysis
- Land use and zoning requirements
- Leases
- Letters of intent
- Promissory Notes and Guarantees
- Purchase Agreements
Our legal services do not end once the development project is complete. Instead, our Grand Rapids real estate attorneys ensure that your investment stays protected, helping you manage a wide range of commercial litigation matters.
Residential Development
Having an experienced real estate lawyer in your corner to advise you on Grand Rapids’ residential development is a crucial asset. At Hirzel Law, our knowledgeable real estate attorneys can advise you on all facets of residential development, providing trusted legal help on matters like:
- Preparing the master deed and bylaws to establish condominium projects
- Drafting declarations, covenants, and restrictions for subdivisions
- Drafting appropriate rules and regulations for all types of residential developments
- Helping developers obtain the necessary governmental approvals
- Preparing sales documents, like disclosure statements and escrow agreements
- Assisting with the construction of individual homes
- Resolving issues concerning building permits and certificates of occupancy
If you are a developer, you can rest assured knowing that our real estate lawyers will guide you through the entire sale and development period, ensuring that you maintain compliance with the Michigan Condominium Act or Michigan Land Division Act.
Title Disputes
One of the most important real estate matters is confirming ownership by establishing the title’s status to the property. If you are experiencing a title dispute in Grand Rapids, we highly encourage you to avoid settling it without legal counsel. Contact our skilled real estate attorneys in Grand Rapids to help you navigate this challenge and resolve the dispute without litigation.
If necessary, we can file a quiet title action and record a notice of list pendens with the proper register of deeds. We can use quiet title actions to validate the appropriate title to the property against hostile claimants, and a successful legal action ensures that claims from any other potential interest holders in the future are prohibited. Whether you need legal help negotiating a resolution to a title dispute or handling claims for adverse possession, Hirzel Law’s Grand Rapids real estate lawyers protect our clients’ pursuits in real estate property.
Zoning/Land Use Planning
Under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, the State of Michigan has appointed its municipalities control over many of the tasks associated with land control and development. While this zoning authority is a principal means by which a municipality can control property within its boundaries, the act also sets forth the duties and obligations of governmental zoning.
The experienced Grand Rapids real estate attorneys at Hirzel Law manage land use planning and zoning from project conception through municipal approval. We consult builders, developers, as well as individual property owners in settling this process as well as:
- Interpreting ordinances
- Appearing before a board for zoning approval or appeals
- Pursuing a zoning variance
- Splitting lots and obtaining the necessary municipal approval
While legal action is not always necessary, in some instances, the modifications to a plat—like correcting, vacating, or revising a highway or other land reserved for public use—require the filing of a lawsuit in a Michigan Circuit Court. The conditions in which a court order is needed to revise a plat are specified in the Michigan Land Division Act. After receiving a final order, MCL 560.227a establishes how the property title will vest after vacating.
Hirzel Law’s Grand Rapids real estate lawyers are prepared to advise you in amending and revising plans, whether through litigation or any other approaches permitted under the Michigan Land Division Act.
Speak to a Skilled Grand Rapids Real Estate Attorney Today
Hirzel Law, PLC’s Grand Rapids real estate attorneys are highly knowledgeable of Michigan’s real estate laws. Our commitment to staying on top of the latest trends in state and federal real estate laws enables us to take on tough cases and achieve favorable solutions that protect our clients’ best interests. Our real estate attorneys are highly regarded in the Grand Rapids community, earning numerous peer recognition awards for our work, including awards from Best Lawyers, the Community Association Institute’s College of Community Association Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Michigan Top Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. At Hirzel Law, our commitment to our clients is unparalleled. We are here to listen to your goals and advise you on how to achieve them in your real estate matter. To speak with one of our experienced Grand Rapids real estate attorneys today, complete a contact form or call 248-986-2290.