Problems stall or ruin commercial real estate deals, and many of the most common issues are avoidable by including strong language in contracts, using contingencies strategically, and maintaining a presence throughout the entire transaction.
Discuss your case with us, even if the dispute seems minor. If issues are left unchecked, the buyer-seller relationship may deteriorate, and significant financial risk may be at stake. Please involve us promptly, allowing us as much time as possible to explore ways to resolve the dispute without resorting to court. We help address issues related to closing, incomplete disclosures, boundary disputes, and escrow problems, among others. We can work to resolve your dispute quickly and in your favor.
Call the Heyman Law Firm’s real estate transaction and disputes attorneys for a free and confidential case assessment at (410) 305-9287
When Should I Involve an Attorney in a Real Estate Dispute in Potomac?
Contact our lawyers as soon as you start dealing with a real estate dispute in Potomac. The sooner you involve us, the more likely we may resolve the issue without you having to go to court, which many buyers and sellers prefer.
As soon as you involve us, we can review relevant real estate contracts, examine property titles and deeds, and become familiar with escrow issues or other potential problems. We need as much information as possible, so please provide any relevant documents related to the transaction.
We can also read through all correspondence between you and the other party involved in the dispute. Emails and texts may reveal more details about the disagreement, which can be valuable evidence in a future lawsuit. Do not delete messages before sending copies to our lawyers, even if they seem irrelevant.
If something does not feel right during a real estate transaction or if there are red flags when nearing closing on a commercial property, consider having our lawyers review your case. We can identify any potential issues that may require litigation to resolve.
Even if a transaction has been finalized, you may still get damages from a seller for latent property defects or other undisclosed issues, so you should still reach out for help.
What Kinds of Real Estate Disputes Can an Attorney Help Resolve?
We assist with a wide range of issues that arise in real estate, so please do not hesitate to contact us for help out of your current predicament in Potomac.
Closing Issues
If the other party changes their mind about a sale just before closing, that puts you in a very vulnerable situation. If the seller no longer wants to sell to you, call us. Our real estate transaction and disputes attorneys may be able to force the sale to continue by suing them for breach of contract.
A buyer suddenly backing out of the sale at closing may also be considered a breach of contract. Sellers may then become entitled to the earnest money the buyer provided as a good faith deposit, and we can help you recover those funds and possibly more if you sue for breach of contract.
Incomplete Disclosures
Sellers representing a commercial property as one thing, only for it to reveal itself as another, is a serious problem for buyers in Potomac. Since incomplete disclosures constitute a breach of contract, please notify our lawyers if the seller fails to disclose health and safety concerns or serious structural issues with a commercial property.
Completing the necessary inspections before closing helps identify inaccurate or incomplete disclosures, providing a valid reason to withdraw from the deal while still recovering good faith deposit funds.
Boundary Issues
Boundary and easement issues occur when there are conflicting property titles, deeds, and maps. This can lead to encroachment over time, which our lawyers can address head-on for you in Potomac.
Escrow Issues
Escrow issues are among the most common reasons why real estate transactions fail to close. Both parties might blame each other for the sale ending, arguing that they are truly entitled to the earnest money funds held in an escrow account.
If one party’s breach of contract is the reason the transaction fails, the other party should receive the earnest money. For example, suppose you are the seller, and we wrote a financing contingency into the contract. If the buyer then could not secure all financing by the date specified in the contract, you would have the right to end the sale and keep the earnest money.
How Long Do Disputes in Real Estate Transactions Take to Resolve?
All real estate disputes are unique, though our lawyers may estimate how long your case may take to resolve at the onset. Most real estate disputes are complex, though some are more straightforward than others.
Mediation may quickly resolve disputes when the defendant in a breach of contract lawsuit cannot argue with the plaintiff’s case. Mediation is a popular alternative dispute resolution method for addressing issues in real estate transactions. Rather than going to court, both parties sit down with an impartial mediator.
Arbitration also resolves disputes relatively quickly, but it may not be the best option for all situations. Some real estate contracts specify arbitration as a mandatory method for resolving disputes. Entering into arbitration willingly can be risky, as the arbitrator’s decision is binding, much like a judge’s.
Trials for breach of contract in real estate disputes often conclude soon after they begin, typically within a matter of days. To avoid a trial, the other party may agree to our conditions, such as returning earnest money or paying damages for undisclosed property defects.
We will work hard to resolve your dispute as soon as possible and in your favor, so do not wait to call us.
Call Us in Potomac for Help During Real Estate Transactions
Call the Heyman Law Firm’s real estate transaction and disputes attorneys at (410) 305-9287 for a free case review.