Houston is growing, and with that growth comes more office and retail development. These types of commercial real estate projects can often be big money-makers for investors.
Having an experienced Houston commercial real estate attorney on your side can help you avoid common pitfalls and give your project the best chance of success. From land acquisition or zoning issues to financing arrangements and leasing agreements, Porter Law Firm can help you with every aspect of your commercial development project. Give us a call today at (713) 621-0700 to schedule a consultation and let us learn more about your goals.
Why Choosing Porter Law Firm Makes Sense
When it comes to real estate, hiring Porter Law Firm just makes sense. We have become a trusted partner to clients in the Houston area for all things real estate since 2009. Since many of our attorneys are also commercial real estate owners and investors themselves, they truly understand the ins and outs of your business because they have lived it. Some other reasons clients choose Porter Law Firm include:
- We truly strive to become your strategic business partner, so we spend the time to fully understand your business and your goals
- Most of our clients get a dedicated attorney assigned to work with them on their project
- Each client gets a personalized and hands-on approach that allows us to put together a unique representation strategy
- While we focus on the solution, we also keep costs in mind by putting together the most efficient strategy for your situation
Before you start your next real estate venture, schedule a consultation with Porter Law Firm. Our experienced team is ready to go to work and help you achieve your goals.
Why Hiring a Lawyer is the Right Move
Many people think they do not need a lawyer unless they are involved in litigation. However, that is not the right approach. Hiring a lawyer to help guide you through the process of office and retail development can help you avoid many common mistakes that are made along the way. This can save you time and money, and it can help you avoid litigation in the long run. Some ways an office and retail development lawyer in Houston can help you include:
- Performing due diligence on potential property before the purchase
- Drafting and reviewing buy/sell agreements to acquire the land you need for development
- Assisting with contracts with developers, contractors, subcontractors, and others
- Writing lease agreements for potential tenants and helping to enforce those agreements
At Porter Law Firm, our experienced Houston office and retail development attorneys can help you with every facet of your commercial development project from start to finish. Contact us today to discuss your project and let us help you maximize the return on your investment.
The Basics of Office and Retail Development
From start to finish, an office and retail development project can be a lengthy and expensive undertaking. However, these types of projects have the potential to be very lucrative when done properly. There are many facets and phases to these types of projects, and having an attorney to guide you through each one can be beneficial. Here is an overview of some of the most common phases of these projects.
Land Acquisition and Zoning Issues
The typical first step to an office and retail development project is acquiring the property where the development will occur. This requires a great deal of due diligence to review property titles, zoning issues, environmental concerns, and other potential land-use restrictions that could affect the project. These types of projects generally involve fairly large tracts of land, so there could be several zoning or environmental issues that have to be overcome. Having an experienced lawyer help you through these issues before purchasing the property is crucial.
Since office and retail developments require large land parcels, zoning issues can arise. An experienced real estate litigation and dispute attorney in Houston can help resolve zoning conflicts before purchase.
Financing Arrangements
Proper financing arrangements are critical to getting most of these types of projects off the ground. Many investors will need to borrow money to purchase the property, pay for land development, and complete the construction of the buildings. Working to find the best lenders who can offer you flexible or more favorable repayment terms can go a long way toward helping you achieve your ultimate goal with the project.
Development and Construction Contracts
Once the land has been acquired and zoning and permitting issues have all been resolved, construction can begin. Contracts need to be drafted and executed to prepare the land for building. Next, contractors will generally oversee the construction of the buildings. Commercial construction projects must comply with Texas building codes to ensure legal compliance and safety. These contracts are usually very detailed and can be more than 100 pages long in some cases, so having an attorney help you at this stage is a necessity. Failure to utilize an attorney to assist with these contracts could set you up for potential litigation down the road if anything goes wrong during construction.
Lease Agreements
As construction nears the end, it is time to begin getting tenants into the buildings. Commercial lease agreements can be complicated, and it is imperative that these lease agreements protect your interests as much as possible. Including all the pertinent terms in these agreements, such as start and end dates, payment amounts, common area expenses, and maintenance details, will likely require the help of an experienced lease review lawyer in Houston. Porter Law Firm has the experience you need on your side to help you draft, review, and negotiate all the terms of these kinds of commercial lease agreements.
Schedule a Consultation With an Office and Retail Development Attorney
If you are considering an office and retail development project, contact Porter Law Firm today. Our experienced office and retail development attornies in Houston can assist you with every detail of your project. We understand that you want to increase your portfolio and maximize the return on your investment, and we are here to help you do that. Bring us along as your strategic partner in your next venture and let us assist at every step of the way. Give us a call today or fill out the form to schedule an initial consultation and let us get started helping you plan for your next commercial project.