Real estate activities are highly regulated, and each state has laws governing specific prohibited practices as well as liabilities and penalties for violations. Explore this state law survey covering essential topics such as compensation and commission-sharing...
Lease security deposit deductions typically cover repair costs for damages beyond normal wear and tear and cleaning expenses when rentals are returned in substandard condition. However, landlords and tenants often disagree as to when deductions are appropriate...
Many states are implementing energy benchmarking programs to track and identify energy use in buildings. These programs aim to encourage energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Check out this energy use reporting and disclosure clause for California...
Hotel and hospitality acquisitions generally include additional operational concerns such as employee transitions, food and beverage operations, inventory, and guest baggage turnover, as well as franchise relationships. Check out our new resource kit for more information...
Explore installment land contracts, which are alternatives to traditional mortgages and deeds of trust, where the seller finances the sale. The purchaser agrees to make installment payments to the seller with the seller retaining title as security for the buyer’s...
Explore the findings of Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s 2025 Real Estate Market Sentiment Survey, which gathered insight from commercial real estate experts on critical topics including interest rates and construction costs. Discover why the majority of respondents see...
The number of data centers has increased across the country due to the growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data storage. When determining the ideal location for data center facilities, it is prudent to evaluate the location’s access to...
Mortgages and deeds of trust are two types of security instruments used to protect a lender's interest in real property. Though the type of instrument varies by state, once the loan related to the respective instrument is satisfied, the lender must timely release...
Every state regulates common interest ownership, which may include condominiums, townhomes, cooperatives, and planned communities. Refer to Practical Guidance’s survey for state laws covering topics such as condominium conversions, public offering and disclosure...
The CARES Act, a wide-ranging set of federal laws enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, included new tenant protection rights. It required landlords leasing properties with federally-backed financing to provide a 30-day notice prior to proceeding with an eviction...
With an increasing shortage of rental homes, states are enacting tenant protection laws to increase tenant rights and decrease tenant displacements. Check out this article outlining new California pro-tenant laws, including laws on security deposits, limitations...
Long gone are the days of tracking and sorting through paper contracts, making tedious edits by pen, and rushing to meet overnight courier deadlines. Today, the due diligence process and closings for real estate transactions are streamlined by cloud-based internet...
Check out Practical Guidance’s tracker to learn about Trump administration executive orders affecting housing and construction. Our tracker is updated regularly and provides links to the relevant order in the Federal Register; the date, number, and title...
Standby letters of credit are often used to provide security in commercial leases, secure construction requirements, or secure obligations assigned in commercial purchase and sales. They differ from commercial letters of credit because funds are drawn only in default...
Lenders typically underwrite commercial real estate loans based on the borrower’s creditworthiness and the collateral real property’s value. To mitigate the risk of a loan not being paid, lenders may require a borrower to have one or more guarantors...