Commercial Real Estate Lawyers in St. Petersburg

Since the inception of The Lopez Law Group, the attorneys in our practice have striven to evolve with the changing commercial real estate market in Florida. Real estate is a booming industry in Florida, and the laws have struggled to keep pace with a forever changing market. The laws and regulations surrounding buying and selling a property can change significantly from one year to the next.

The Lopez Law Group proudly takes on an array of diverse commercial real estate litigation and transactions. Our mission is to make the deal happen as quickly and carefully as possible.

Why Skill and Experience Matter in Florida’s Commercial Real Estate

Performing a real estate transaction without the support and advice of an attorney is a risky proposition. That is why we are always available to serve St. Petersburg and all of Florida, including investors, general contractors, homeowners associations, lenders, and developers. We put our clients at the forefront of everything we do in commercial real estate, such as:

Common Real Estate Practice Areas

We pride ourselves in representing clients throughout the entire state of Florida. We can advise both buyers and sellers to make sure that the transaction goes as smoothly as possible. We can handle the entire closing process, start to finish. To ensure the buying and selling process goes smoothly, we offer the following services:

Title Insurance

Getting an experienced and skilled attorney to handle the title insurance process has numerous benefits. We can provide the title check for you, and if there are any problems with the title, our attorneys have the tools available to remedy the situation and ensure that there is a clear title. If you go to a traditional title office, they can tell you that there is an issue with the title, but you would then have to get an attorney involved to make sure that the title issue is handled correctly.

Finding an attorney, and catching them up on the issue, could cause a significant delay. Having an attorney involved at the front end ensures that any title defect can be taken care of long before the actual closing date.

Assistance with Lending and Secured Transactions

Our office is equipped to assist with all stages of the lending process. We will do due diligence and secure the loan, and help you obtain a title insurance policy with minimal exceptions. Our attorneys will take the time to explain the transaction details to the borrower and the lender. Our office pays excellent attention to details, and we take the time necessary to make sure all the fine details of each transaction are covered. We make sure nothing is missed so that there are no surprises at closing.

Florida Developer Issues

If you are a developer of real estate and need assistance with sale agreements or purchase agreements, we are here to assist you in making the process as smooth as possible. If you are having an issue with escrow or need assistance in drafting documents related to a condominium or HOA, we can also assist in that area. We can also step in and make the process as easy as possible for any other HOA or community issues you encounter.

Real Estate Contracts in Florida

Our attorneys that specialize in real estate can assist in all matters related to real estate transactions. We understand the process and are on hand to help with any legal issues which may arise. We can negotiate the contract with you and go over the positives or negatives that the contract contains.

We also draft real estate contracts to suit your needs and can answer any of the standard or complex questions that arise throughout the process. Some of the most common questions that arise from real estate contracts include:

1. What type of down payment is required?
2. What type of loan should you secure?
3. What is earnest money?
4. How is my earnest money protected?
5. What is the importance of an inspection?
6. How does an appraisal work?
7. What happens if the appraisal is lower than the purchase price?
8. Can you require the seller to make concessions?
9. What is the disclosure?

We are well-versed in these questions, and more. Whether this is your first commercial real estate purchase or sale, or the twentieth, we can help with every aspect.

Creating Lease Agreements in Florida

As a landlord, it is essential that you include all the necessary language in a lease agreement. Failing to do so can hurt you in the long run and lead to a situation that is a giant headache for all involved.

When a landlord grants someone a lease on a specific property, the landlord is giving the tenant certain rights. The lease agreement must explicitly spell out the rights the landlord is conveying to the tenant and must be very clear on what is required of the tenant. Each party will have specific duties, and the lease agreement should clearly define what duties belong to the landlord and what duties belong to the tenant.

Necessary details such as who is responsible for damages, who pays the taxes, what insurance requirements apply to each party, and who maintains the property are all essential in a lease agreement. Our attorneys can assist in the creation of lease agreements or can review an agreement that the landlord has drafted to ensure that it is adequate and covers all the necessary components.

Foreclosures

Dealing with a property that has been foreclosed can be quite the process. If you are an investor and considering investing in a foreclosed property, you want to ensure you run certain checks on that property. The Lopez Law Group will help you figure out the mortgage situation and run a title search on the property to see what issues may exist.

The process would need to happen quickly if the property is up for auction, and often, investors need these answers as quickly as possible. We are capable of stepping in and getting these checks done in an expedited fashion to help you make an informed offer or bid.

Evictions

Florida has numerous legal requirements that a landlord must meet before they can evict a commercial or residential renter. We can not overstate the importance of understanding Florida law before moving to evict a tenant. You must give the correct notice and include the correct eviction documents or risks creating a messy situation.

We can assist you with drafting the documents and stand with you throughout the eviction process to ensure that the tenants are removed from the property correctly. Not only will this help you regain control of your property sooner, but it will also protect you from the backlash that can ensue if you do not follow the eviction process correctly.

Commercial evictions in Florida generally include:

• An official warning—You must give a commercial tenant warning before eviction, and the type of notice depends on what violation of the lease the tenant has broken.
• The filing for an eviction proceeding—After the warning has expired, and the tenant still refuses to vacate the premises, you may have to file an unlawful detainer complaint requesting a court-ordered eviction.
• Claims and counterclaims—A tenant then has the right to file an objection. The landlord then has the chance to respond to the tenant’s claim.
• Settlement in court—In Florida, a judge instead of a jury hears most commercial eviction cases. The judge will review the evidence and enter a ruling.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a problematic situation for both landlords and tenants. There have been certain moratoriums placed on evictions, including those from commercial property. As things slowly return to normal, the courts have a backlog of evictions to clear. To expedite your process and make sure an eviction proceeds as smoothly as possible, please contact us for expert legal advice.

Zoning and Land Use

Zoning and land use laws in Florida can be complicated and is one of the main reasons people retain a commercial real estate attorney. We will help you understand the zoning and use laws that apply to any property you are considering.

Local and state legislation determines how these regulations are enforced and how the property is taxed. Zoning laws can dictate how you can use your commercial property, which can render specific properties unusable for the purposes you need. If you infringe upon these regulations, your entire business could be shut down, and you could face stiff fines.

If you are considering a commercial undertaking, zoning laws must be considered, and all necessary permits secured. Local companies can m find the process tedious, and it is often overwhelming for out-of-state businesses. We are here to help you navigate the red tape and get the proper variances and permits efficiently.

To avoid these types of problems, always consult with a Florida commercial real estate attorney before leasing or purchasing a commercial property.

The Lopez Law Group Knows Florida’s Commerical Real Estate Laws

As active members of our Florida community, our St. Petersburg commercial real estate attorneys are uniquely equipped to address the commercial real estate issues you might encounter. From buying to selling, leasing, and litigation, we are here for you every step of the way.

Our comprehensive real estate law service ensures that we can walk you through every part of a commercial property deal. You can depend on The Lopez Law Group in Florida for sound advice on any situation. We have an excellent reputation as a commercial real estate law firm. Give us a call at (727) 933-0015. We will offer an initial consultation at no charge and determine how we can best assist you with your problem.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation in St. Petersburg.