All Forum Posts by: Matthew Anderson

Talk to an attorney familiar with the local non-conforming use law. Often there is local law protecting an owner or buyer of a property thats use is inconsistent from the current zoning, but was in accordance with prior zoning.

Have you closed yet? 

You should disregard the advise here.  Speak to a Louisana attorney about this.  You may very well have claims against the real estate agent and/or the seller.  There are disclosure statutes under state law under which you may have a valid claim.  Further, you may have a claim for misrepresentation, either intentional or negligent.

Even though you are required to do due diligence, a seller has a duty not to misrepresent and further, under most states' laws, has a duty to disclose in real estate sales.  A real estate agent has an even higher duty to you as a buyer, likely spelled out by Louisiana law.

Speak to a few local attorneys about this.

You should speak with another non-interested lawyer in your state about how you plan to do this.

It is probably unwise, especially on one of your first deals, unless you really trust this lawyer. It may be a conflict of interest and/or a professional conduct issue just waiting to pop. A lawyer may draft all the relevant documents/agreements in the manner that would best protect him/her at your expense if you aren't careful.

Take the contingencies out. A letter of intent is not a binding contract. The contingencies are something you can have in the purchase and sale agreement.

As someone who practices law in disputes between contractors and homeowners in Nashville, it sounds like you are past the point of anyone being able to help you on a forum. You need to speak with a lawyer or a few who specifically handle construction defect litigation. It is important that you proceed with caution and under advice of counsel if possible. Every decision and communication you make and have made will be scrutinized intensely should this dispute reach the court.

Haha thanks @Luka Milicevic.  @Tim Bergstrom I assume you are looking for someone to help you with some contractual documents and not with closing?

I happen to be flying out to Vegas tomorrow for my wedding and then my honeymoon directly after!  So I likely would not be able to assist you with something time sensitive.  Let me know more specifics about what you need though, and, depending on what you need, I may be able to have a fellow attorney in my firm help you. 

@Chris K. is exactly right.  I have numerous discussions with my real estate investor clients about real estate investing and there's a fantastic benefit for both myself and these clients with regard to helping each other achieve our real estate investing goals in the most effective and protected manner.

Hiring an attorney means more money out of your pocket. It is easy to threaten to sue someone. It is not quite as easy to find a lawyer willing to take your case and fork up the cash to file a lawsuit.

Welcome Armonty!