Texas Commercial Real Estate Acquisition, Disposition, and Leasing Attorneys
Real estate law focused on real issues
Making major business decisions by committee is like having too many cooks in the kitchen—the final result can end up with flavors that contradict, not complement, each other. To avoid an overly complex deal, many businesses avoid using a real estate lawyer for their commercial real estate deals.
When it comes to commercial real estate acquisition and disposition projects, boilerplate contracts and real estate agents cannot take the place of an experienced attorney.
If you’re seeking support with real estate matters, contact our team of experienced Texas real estate acquisition, disposition, and leasing attorneys. We’re here to help you accomplish your goals.
Why Work With a Texas Real Estate Attorney?
When you need a new warehouse, want help determining how many square feet you need for a second office space, or are looking for multiple leased storefronts in shopping centers, you look for a real estate agent. Real estate agents are valuable partners. Their network and experience can help you find hidden gems and functional properties that you might not find on your own.
A real estate agreement is a legally binding contract, but real estate agents aren’t lawyers. To protect yourself while drafting and negotiating contracts for commercial real estate deals, you need a real estate attorney on your team.
There are numerous reasons why real estate attorneys are necessary for smooth real estate purchases. The most obvious reason to hire a real estate lawyer is that purchase and sale agreements, leaseback transactions, and real estate joint ventures are what we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A real estate agreement is a legally binding contract, but real estate agents aren’t lawyers. To protect yourself while drafting and negotiating contracts for commercial real estate deals, you need a real estate attorney on your team.
There are numerous reasons why real estate attorneys are necessary for smooth real estate purchases. The most obvious reason to hire a real estate lawyer is that purchase and sale agreements, leaseback transactions, and real estate joint ventures are what we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It’s our priority to make sure you:
- Understand the terms and conditions laid out in your agreement
- Protect your self-interest and rights
- Minimize your liability and financial risk
- Give yourself options for terminating the deal
- Provide remedies in the event the contract is breached
- Have dedicated legal counsel throughout the entire process
Missing any of these key steps can disrupt your business down the road. It can also cost significantly more to fix these issues retroactively than to hire an attorney to prevent them.
Secondly, most real estate agents make their money off commissions from their sales. They are required by their state real estate commissions to act with integrity on behalf of their clients, but the degree of oversight varies. Plus, there are things they cannot do, like draft contracts. As your attorney, our sole responsibility is to represent your interests, and we’re well equipped to do that.
Need your contract reviewed by an experienced attorney before you sign on the line? Let’s talk.
Secondly, most real estate agents make their money off commissions from their sales. They are required by their state real estate commissions to act with integrity on behalf of their clients, but the degree of oversight varies. Plus, there are things they cannot do, like draft contracts. As your attorney, our sole responsibility is to represent your interests, and we’re well equipped to do that.
Need your contract reviewed by an experienced attorney before you sign on the line? Let’s talk.
Our Commercial Acquisition, Disposition, and Leasing Services
The seasoned lawyers at SMC ESQ have more than 25 years of combined experience successfully representing both buyers and sellers in commercial real estate transactions.
We excel at helping our clients navigate complex deals and resolve complicated disputes. We can help you with:
Letters of Intent
Purchase and Sale Agreements
Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements
Due Diligence Research
Closing and Title Support
Real Estate Investment Trust
Landlord Representation
Tenant Representation
Ground Leases
Office Leases
Retail Leases
Industrial Leases
Build-to-Suit Leases
If you have questions about what is involved in these services, check out our FAQs.
Our Approach to Commercial Real Estate
The lawyers and staff at our firm are committed to thoughtful and thorough representation for all our clients. You’ll receive the same level of high-quality service from our team whether you’re a real estate developer ready to buy land for a subdivision of multi-family homes or a property management firm working on a multi-million dollar sale for multiple office buildings.
Work With a Knowledgeable Texas Real Estate Attorney
Real estate litigation starts with the initial contract.
If your contract doesn’t protect you from disclosure issues, you may have little recourse when you later find mold or leaks in a property. If you’re selling a building with a lien that isn’t included in the contract, you may get sued.
On the other hand, a good lease contract will help you recoup losses if your tenant changes or damages your property. A detailed real property agreement will secure you the rights that allow you to possess, occupy, and use the property in the way your business needs to succeed.
The core values of the team at the law office of Shann M. Chaudhry Esq. Attorney, PLLC, are authenticity, education, service, empathy, and gratitude. This means:
We promise to always be authentic in our words and actions
We stay ahead of legal developments by seeking out more education than is required
We provide service-oriented representation that prioritizes our clients’ welfare
We work hard to understand our clients’ underlying goals and objectives
And we are grateful for our clients’ trust.
If you’re ready to partner with a team that wants your real estate projects to succeed as much as you do, schedule your consultation today.
Commercial Real Estate Acquisition, Disposition, and Leasing FAQs
Do I need a real estate attorney for my property investment?
Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? Also yes.
There are two types of asset classes in real estate—commercial and residential. Our firm works primarily in commercial real estate, but you should always have a real estate contract reviewed by an attorney regardless of the asset class involved.
Seeking legal advice will help to ensure that a property is properly zoned, has no outstanding liens against it, and the property lines are accurately marked. It will also help you protect your interests, minimize risk, and establish a course of action if the deal falls through.
Can you explain some of these legal real estate terms to me?
Sure thing!
Real Estate Acquisition: The process of finding, negotiating for, and closing on the ownership or control of real property (land, buildings, or both)
Real Estate Disposition: The process of selling, subleasing, or buying out stakes of real property (land, buildings, or both) to improve cash flow, monetize assets, rebalance debt, etc.
Letter of Intent: A preliminary agreement detailing terms and negotiation points for a real estate acquisition/disposition
Purchase and Sale Agreement: A finalized, legally binding contract defining the full scope of a real estate acquisition/disposition (price, timelines, buyer/seller obligations, etc.
Leasing Agreement: A contract between a tenant and a landlord that outlines terms for renting out real property for a set period of time
Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Agreement: A contract limiting how and who can talk about the parties and details of a real estate deal
Due Diligence: The process of examining the physical, financial, and legal condition of a property
What type of commercial lease can I get in Texas?
There are several commercial leases available in Texas, including:
- Ground Lease: A long-term agreement that allows for the development or improvement of an undeveloped or underdeveloped piece of land.
- Office Lease: A legally binding contract that allows a tenant to use an office property for their standard business operations.
- Retail Lease: A legally binding contract that allows a retailer to establish a storefront and sell goods or services from that location.
- Industrial Lease: Industrial leases usually come in three categories:
- A net lease adds a portion of the building’s operating expenses to the base rent.
- A percentage lease requires a tenant to pay base rent, a portion of the building’s operating expenses, and a percentage of the gross sales conducted on the property.
- A gross lease sets a predetermined amount for base rent and operating costs but also includes an often separately billed variable operating expenses.
- Build-to-Suit Lease: A contract that includes negotiated agreements wherein the landlord will construct a new building or remodel a space to meet the tenant’s needs.
- Leaseback Transaction: A contract that allows an owner to sell an asset (to improve cash flow, etc.) while retaining the right to use the property as a tenant instead of an owner.
Why should I use a real estate lawyer instead of a title closing company?
In short, you need both. We highly recommend you get title insurance for every real estate transaction.
Title companies work primarily for title insurers. They can help you make sure the real estate in question does not have liens against it, but they cannot provide any legal advice.
Real estate attorneys are ethically bound to represent their clients and can be held liable for a failure to advocate by their state bar association. The experience, advocacy, and accountability that come with using an experienced lawyer give you peace of mind that your deal is conducted with your best interests in mind.