When you decide to sign a lease for an office, you might think it similar to renting an apartment or signing a simple rental contract. But the reality is that leasing a business location can actually be very complicated and if it is not done right, it can lead to a...
Contingencies are part of the normal part of property negotiations in any real estate transaction. As you go back and forth with the buyer or seller (depending on which role you are in), usually through your realtors or attorneys, you're going to each have a list of...
When investing in commercial property, you need to be particularly careful about zoning regulations -- they can sometimes catch even seasoned buyers off guard. Most towns and cities have their zoning organized into categories -- but never assume that a category that...
Sooner or later in your career as a landlord, you'll face a problem tenant that stops paying. It's frustrating to go through the formal eviction process, especially because it can takes weeks or even months to complete -- which is a lot of time to go without more...
A "hoarder" may make great television drama but having to deal with one in real life definitely isn't great for a landlord. While it's important to remember that someone who hoards is suffering from a mental disorder and deserving of compassion, there are still...
Your commercial lease is critically important to the survival of your new small business. There are several provisions in your commercial lease that you need to review carefully before you sign it: -- What are the non-monetary grounds for eviction? Not paying your...
Zoning restricts the purpose for which a property can be used. Grouping properties by their use helps the government protect property values and makes a community more functional -- but zoning restrictions can be a tremendous hurdle to overcome if you're trying to...
What do you do if you suspect that one of your tenants is running a drug operation right out of one of your units? You certainly can't evict him or her based purely on a hunch. Nor can you go peeking into his or her apartment without a valid reason to be there. Which...
Commercial leases are lengthy and complex documents. Whenever you choose to enter into a commercial lease, whether it's for office or retail space, it is always wise to have your attorney look the lease over for potential pitfalls before you sign on the dotted line....
There is a reason so many people choose to retire in Florida. It has warm weather pretty much year round. The ocean is warm, and the beaches are sandy. The hurricane warning system is in impeccable condition. Alligators rarely eat people and the giant pythons almost...
