Residential & Commercial Real Estate

Real Estate and Property Law covers a broad swath of the law - and of life. Many people think of real estate law and think of buying a house or issues pertaining to the ownership of land. Finding anyone or any lawyer with an understanding the real depth of law in this area is not easy, as there are local laws, state statutes and regulations, and federal laws and rulings that govern every aspect of real estate and property law. Real estate is not just land and the improvements and buildings upon or under the land's surface, but it encompasses all sorts of tangible and intangible interests, benefits, duties, and rights that are legally considered attached to real property, including rights in the use of the land's surface, air rights, subsurface rights, and rights in natural land features, from littoral and riparian rights, to water rights, rights of access, rights of use, and rights in the title or estate in land. Even natural objects can have natural and property rights and there are hundreds of types of easements. It is a complex area to be sure.

Thaler & Thaler handles all aspects of real property practice including representing buyers and sellers in residential and commercial real estate, and property managers and brokers at all levels in the real estate business. Thaler & Thaler represents several lenders and closes transactions for many banks in the Finger Lakes area.

Thaler & Thaler handles all aspects of real estate transactions and real property laws, including:

  • Purchase and Sale Agreements
  • Escrow Agreements
  • Real Estate Land Contracts
  • Easements
  • Title Matters and Defects
  • Title Insurance
  • Deeds
  • Deeds of Trust
  • Inter-Family Transfers
  • Transfers to Trusts and Family Limited Partnerships
  • Tax-Deferred and § 1031 Exchanges
  • Construction Contracts
  • Riparian and Littoral Rights and Issues
  • Commercial Leasing
  • Bank and Asset-Based Financing

For most people, and for most businesses as well, purchasing or investing in real estate is the single biggest investment decision they make in their life. Thaler and Thaler works hard to ensure that its clients make an informed decision and complete their real estate transaction as smoothly and efficiently as possible - while never losing the “hands on” and personal attention that a small law firm can give each individual client. The structure of any real estate transaction or deal can have dramatic consequences, from tax costs to personal liability for costs, injuries, and losses. Understanding how to structure a deal and what vehicle to use (such as a corporation, limited liability company, etc.) is important to the goals of minimizing costs, risks and taxes, while still being able to operate a business or close a deal matter. Thaler & Thaler will draft and review purchase agreements, negotiate any needed amendments, develop contract terms and advise about how to mitigate risk by building clauses and contingencies in contracts, and will oversee all aspects of each deal from contract formation to final closing. Thaler & Thaler will make every reasonable effort to quickly and affordably secure the deal, and then close the deal that you expect.

Thaler & Thaler's principal attorney handling real estate is Katrina Thaler Medeiros, with primary assistance from Elizabeth Aldridge and Guy K. Krogh.