Grand Rapids Real Estate Lawyers

Purchasing or selling commercial real estate requires careful due diligence and legal guidance. You will need to take steps to protect your interests and ensure the sought transaction achieves the desired outcomes.

How Our Grand Rapids Real Estate Attorney Can Help

Our firm represents buyers and sellers in all stages of these transactions, including:

• Preparing, negotiating, and finalizing the letter of intent (LOI)
• Preparing, negotiating, and finalizing the purchase and sale agreement
• Facilitating a due diligence investigation
• Facilitating escrow
• Running title checks, resolving title issues, and sourcing title insurance
• Managing land use, zoning, and environmental concerns
• Managing inspections and satisfying any pre-closing conditions
• Preparing, negotiating, and finalizing the closing documents

Developments and Redevelopments

Under the right circumstances, a real estate development can become an extremely profitable investment. Real estate “development” refers to the concept of building one or more commercial real estate properties “from the ground up.” Redevelopment involves the refurbishment, repurposing, or replacement of an existing commercial real estate property. In either scenario, the goal is to produce an attractive property that is ultimately leased to one or more third parties. 

As a full-service firm, we are prepared to assist businesses throughout the entirety of a development or redevelopment’s lifecycle, including:

• Site selection and assessment
• Property construction or refurbishment
• Project financing
• Contract negotiation with prospective lessees 
• Flipping, holding, and exit strategies

Our Grand Rapids real estate attorneys are ready to help you develop or redevelop many types of projects, including:

• Residential developments
• Condominium developments
• Shopping centers
• Hotels
• Industrial facilities

Real Estate and Construction Financing

Unless you have considerable liquid funds on-hand, you will likely require additional resources to either purchase commercial real estate property or finance your proposed development or redevelopment project. We frequently work with financial institutions and are extensively familiar with funding sources in the Michigan area. Our team can help you explore all available financing options and recommend an optimal strategy.

In addition to facilitating commercial real estate loans, we can work to secure various types of construction loans for developments and redevelopments, including:

• Acquisition and development loans
• Mini-perm loans
• Takeout loans

Commercial and Industrial Leasing

Not all businesses need to own or develop real estate property. Depending on your organization’s size, objectives, and current stage of growth, you may only require a leased facility through which to conduct your operations. 

It is your best interest to have a legal professional review and advise you on the lease agreement before signing.

Our firm also assists with the leasing of commercial property developments. We can help negotiate, draft, and execute lease agreements and represent landlords and building owners in any disputes that may arise with tenants.

Zoning and Land Use

Each municipality in Michigan has its own rules for land use, zoning, and environmental restrictions. When conducting due diligence, you must ensure that your desired property is appropriately zoned for your intended use. If it is not, you will need to petition to “rezone” the property, which requires knowledge of the local area’s procedures and government. We can support you through the petitioning process and represent you in a zoning appeal, if necessary. 

Whenever you purchase or lease commercial real estate property, you must also be aware of any land use restrictions, including boundary ambiguities and easements. Some of these conflicts can be resolved through negotiation, while others may require litigation. Our Grand Rapids real estate lawyers are seasoned litigators who are ready to fight for you in any commercial real estate conflict. 

Our commercial real estate lawyer will diligently guide you through every aspect of real estate law, regardless of your specific needs. Call (616) 747-7922 or contact us online to discuss your case with a real estate attorney in Grand Rapids, MI.