Putting Our Passion And Drive To Good Use For Our Clients

Experienced Lawyers Ready To Tackle Any Real Estate, Tenancies And Land Use Matters In New Jersey

The attorneys of the Union, New Jersey, law firm of Schwartz Barkin & Mitchell have a combined legal experience of more than 130 years. We are real estate professionals who strive to protect our clients’ legal rights at every stage. We understand that a real estate transaction is a business matter. We are proud of our efficiency, which helps our clients manage legal costs and make their real estate transactions more profitable.

Sale And Purchase Of Commercial And Residential Real Estate

We represent clients in every kind of real estate transaction, including:

  • Commercial real estate purchases and sales
  • Residential real estate purchase and sale agreements
  • Commercial and residential leases

The legal services we provide in these transactions include examining title to property, identifying and resolving title issues, negotiating real estate transactions, and drafting and reviewing documentation. We also handle real estate closings.

In addition, we provide legal representation in connection with commercial real estate financing, including the following:

  • Commercial real estate financing
  • Representation of lenders in commercial real estate transactions
  • Mortgage review
  • Leasing

Understanding Real Estate Transactions In New Jersey

From a legal perspective, the process of buying or selling real estate involves multiple steps. Initially, the prospective buyer makes an offer. The seller may reject that offer, accept it or propose a counteroffer. Once the parties come to an agreement, which is formalized in a purchase agreement, a due diligence period follows. Depending on the terms of the contract, the buyer may conduct inspections and review the property’s title and other legal compliances. Subsequent steps may involve an appraisal for financing purposes and other steps required by the lender. The final step is closing, which involves signing all necessary legal documents, transferring the title and finalizing payment.

Key legal documents involved in a real estate transaction include the purchase agreement (also called real estate contract of sale), deed, title and disclosures related to the property’s condition, and any liens or encumbrances.

The transaction timeline can vary, often taking 30 to 90 days from the acceptance of the offer to closing. Challenges may arise from title issues, financing delays, issues that arise during the property inspection and other unforeseen roadblocks.

Real Estate Disputes

When real estate disputes occur, you need seasoned real estate litigators on your side. At Schwartz Barkin & Mitchell, we are experienced in all aspects of commercial litigation and real estate litigation, including:

  • Construction liens
  • Construction disputes
  • Real estate foreclosures
  • Landlord/tenant disputes and litigation
  • Commercial and residential evictions
  • Commercial and residential real estate disputes
  • Boundary disputes
  • Property issues involving heirs

Land Use And Zoning

Land use laws in New Jersey govern how land can be utilized and developed. These regulations may be enforced at the state, county and municipal levels.

Zoning laws dictate the types of structures and uses for a particular parcel. They aim to separate residential areas from commercial and industrial zones. Property developers must generally obtain site plan approvals to comply with local zoning laws and environmental regulations. For instance, a developer looking to build a new shopping center might need to conduct traffic studies and environmental impact assessments to obtain approvals.

Subdivision regulations come into play when a landowner divides a parcel into new lots. These regulations ensure that the development does not adversely affect the existing community.

We guide our clients through the complicated process of securing the authorization they need to construct buildings on their real property and use them in accordance with their business plans. For example, we handle zoning variances, site plan approvals and subdivision planning. We are also experienced in representing clients involved in eminent domain proceedings.

Tenancy Laws And Tenant Rights

New Jersey’s tenancy laws are designed to balance the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in accordance with fair housing practices. Tenants in New Jersey have the right to a habitable living environment, and landlords are obliged to provide and maintain premises that meet state and local health and safety standards. Lease agreements should clearly outline the terms of the tenancy, rent, security deposit conditions and the responsibilities of each party. We provide guidance on all aspects of New Jersey landlord-tenant law.

Schedule A Consultation Today

For experienced legal representation in purchase, sale, financing and construction issues involving commercial or residential real estate, contact the highly experienced team of attorneys at Schwartz Barkin & Mitchell. We will put more than 130 years of combined legal experience to work for you. Call our Union office at 908-688-1644 or send us an email to schedule a consultation.