Practical Guidance In Commercial Real Estate
At Stephenson Fournier, we use our wealth of experience and legal prowess to offer our clients comprehensive commercial real estate advice. Whether you are a real estate investor, developer, lender, commercial tenant, or owner, our real estate legal team can protect your best interests.
Our experienced Houston commercial real estate lawyers can help you with all legal matters related to your real estate project, including:
- Initial planning and development
- Purchase agreements
- Acquisitions and sales
- Due diligence
- Lending and financing
- Construction and easement issues
- Commercial property leasing
- Real estate management
- Environmental and hazardous waste complexities
- Zoning and land use
- Insurance and title matters
- Tax planning
Our experience includes most types of commercial real estate projects:
- Mixed-use developments
- Residential subdivisions
- Office buildings
- Apartments
- Condominiums
- Town homes
- Restaurants
- Mobile home parks
- Retail centers and shopping complexes
- Industrial properties
- Warehouses
- Agricultural land
- Ranches
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Real Estate In Houston
What does a commercial real estate lawyer do?
A commercial real estate lawyer speaks for the business or owner behind a property deal. The work includes drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and leases, reviewing title and survey records, setting up the entities that own the property and working with lenders. Our lawyers also handle tax planning, environmental risk and land use questions that can change what a deal is worth.
Why do I need an attorney to negotiate a commercial property lease?
Commercial leases rarely follow standard forms, and their terms carry long-term money costs. Rent hikes, shared operating costs, exclusive-use clauses, personal guarantees and default remedies can shift large costs and risks between landlord and tenant. A lawyer checks each term against your business plan and negotiates for your side. Whether you lease to a big box tenant or a franchisee seeks space, a lawyer can spot duties that you would otherwise find only after you sign.
How does the legal due diligence process work in commercial real estate?
Due diligence is the review period after a purchase agreement is signed, when the buyer confirms what it is actually acquiring. Our attorneys examine title commitments, surveys, existing leases, environmental reports, deed restrictions and loan documents. If a problem appears, the buyer may renegotiate the price, request a cure or terminate within the deadline set by the contract. Those deadlines are often short, so legal review should begin immediately.
What are the legal steps to buy or sell a commercial property?
Most transactions start with a letter of intent, followed by a purchase and sale agreement. Due diligence, financing and title work come next, leading to closing, when the parties sign the deed and record the transfer. Because a sale carries tax consequences, our attorneys plan the structure before signing.
How do zoning and land use laws affect commercial real estate development?
Houston has no conventional zoning ordinance, so land use turns on deed restrictions, platting rules, building codes and city ordinances covering setbacks and parking. Properties outside city limits, including in Fort Bend County, follow different rules. Our attorneys review these limits before you commit to a site or development plan.
Contact Our Texas Commercial Real Estate Attorneys
If you are looking for an experienced Texas commercial real estate attorney, please call 713-629-9494 or contact us online.
