Real Estate
LANDing deals
From the simplest project to the most sophisticated transaction, Smith Haughey's real estate lawyers are well-positioned to meet any real estate need including acquisition, preservation, planning, land use, tax, and development. While we work diligently to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom, we are a premier litigation firm, and often litigate real estate disputes in state and federal courts.
Land owners, purchasers, contractors, engineers, title companies, planners, and governmental entities trust our team to accomplish a variety of real property matters, including:
- purchase, sales, and exchange of real estate
- mortgage transactions
- title examination and review
- real estate property tax assessment, appeals, and relief
- easement and private road agreements
- mortgage foreclosure
- boundary line/lake access disputes
- plat and street vacation
- condominium development and financing
- zoning and land use
- leasing
- construction contracts
- construction liens
- environmental law
- preservation
- environmental assessment
- receivership
- financing and tax exempt financing
- brownfield redevelopment
- tax abatement
- merger and acquisition
- refinancing and restructure
- construction lien foreclosure
- contract disputes
- business entity formation
- banking and secure transactions
- conservation easement
- differed exchange, multi party exchange
- Act 198 industrial facilities
- 1031 exchanges
Our real estate attorney work with buyers and sellers of homes and other private properties - drafting and negotiating contracts, analyzing title and surveys, arranging closing dates, protecting client interests at closing, and later with property tax appeals.
Our real estate attorneys also work closely with the members of both our Construction and Renewable Energy industry teams in the areas of green building - including LEED certification - and renewable energy issues. We also work with municipalities and other governmental entities to protect public land interests.
We've gained extensive experience managing the rights and responsibilities of developers and property owners in regards to Michigan's natural resources - notably "critical dunes", lakefronts, and water access rights. Our attorneys also have access to the full resources of the firm's environmental attorneys - an invaluable asset in handling MDEQ issues.
We have experience representing Michigan landowners in oil and gas leases, as well as other issues related to the development of oil and gas resources throughout Michigan.
Condominium development is another of this group's expertise. Our insight into the complex legal issues surrounding plat developments, conventional condos, site condos, and condo conversions has helped many developers achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently.
Our attorneys are relied upon to resolve landlord-tenant matters, commercial and residential, in and out of the courtroom. We assist banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions with mortgages, construction liens, foreclosures, and bankruptcy-related issues.
News
11/21/2011
Former City Attorney, Karrie Zeits, Joins Smith Haughey's Traverse City Office
9/16/2011
Karen Hockstad Joins Smith Haughey's Ann Arbor Office
9/24/2010
Attorney Robert Suarez Joins Smith Haughey's Grand Rapids Office
7/9/2010
Sebolt Elected to the Board of MSHRM
6/10/2010
Smith Haughey Helps Fill the ‘Hole’ at the Corner of East Front and Park Streets in Traverse City
1/14/2010
Smith Haughey Announces New CEO, Shareholders, and Board of Directors
9/29/2009
Business and Real Estate Attorney Joins Smith Haughey
2/12/2009
Fred Joins Smith Haughey
3/17/2008
Kish Joins Smith Haughey
10/16/2007
Judson Appointed to the State's Dispute Resolution Court Rule Committee
7/20/2007
McManus Joins Smith Haughey and Expands the Firm's Real Estate Law Department
12/18/2006
Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Names New Shareholders
6/19/2006
Morley Brings Banking and Finance Expertise to Smith Haughey
5/22/2006
Attorney Embraces Collaborative Divorce Option
1/3/2006
SHRR Names New Shareholder
10/31/2005
Thompson Joins SHRR
2/29/2012
Property Taxes: What you need to know about the law to help your clients (Grand Rapids)
2/21/2012
Property Taxes: What you need to know about the law to help your clients (Traverse City)
12/13/2011
Real Estate Leasing & Acquisition
11/4/2011
Refinancing in a New Age
2/23/2011
Practical Tips for Reducing Your Property Tax Bill
10/28/2010
Complimentary Legal Seminar for Real Estate, Development, and Construction Professionals
3/25/2010
Troubled Assets Workshop
Smith Haughey Publications for Real Estate
| Type | Date | Title |
| Legal Alert | 7/27/2011 | Agribusiness Law Update |
| Legal Alert | 7/11/2011 | New Michigan Supreme Court Ruling Extends Business and Insurer Exposure to Personal Injury Claims |
| Legal Alert | 3/29/2011 | Real Estate & Estate Planning Legal Alert (Mar. 2011) |
| Legal Alert | 2/15/2011 | Agribusiness Law Update |
| Legal Alert | 12/21/2010 | Agribusiness Legal Alert |
| Legal Alert | 9/17/2010 | Owner Response Time is Critical to Challenge Property Assessment Re-Classifications from “Industrial” to “Commercial” |
| Legal Alert | 9/15/2010 | Real Estate Law Update (Sept. 2010) |
| Newsletter | 9/28/2009 | Legal Ease Fall 2009 |
| Legal Alert | 11/1/2006 | State Announces New Policy of Restricting Size of Homes and Driveways in Critical Dune Areas |
Top News at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
- 1/13/2012 - Smith Haughey Announces New Shareholder and Board Members
- 12/22/2011 - Siebers Elected to Positions in the Michigan Business Brokers Association and the Grand Rapids Bar Association's Real Property Section
- 12/16/2011 - Smith Haughey Lawyers Names “Super Lawyers”
- 12/9/2011 - New Family Law Attorney Joins Smith Haughey
- 12/2/2011 - Smith Haughey Recommended As A Top Litigation Firm In Michigan