Homeowner associations (HOAs) have many responsibilities in maintaining the peace and order in their neighborhood. Apart from the responsibilities, they also often face multiple challenges in maintaining a harmonious community. Enforcing the covenants and restrictions can be tricky, especially when homeowners violate them. Below are effective ways to enforce HOA rules and preserve the quality of life in neighborhoods. Communication is key HOAs must always prioritize clear communication with residents. They may send friendly reminders about community guidelines. They should also explain the rea ..read more

Investing in commercial properties could be a great way to obtain secure and steady sources of income. Because of the possible benefits, you may feel excited about going through with the purchase. However, you may end up in challenging situations if you proceed without considering crucial details about the property first. There can be various factors to evaluate when doing due diligence for a sale. If you already have your eye on a commercial property, you should review its vital elements, including the following: Location — Find out if a business can flourish in the area. This information can ..read more

Cities, towns and residential areas continually expand in Arizona and other states. Although it feels like lots and farmland are sold and developed in a blink of an eye, the reality is that there are many facets that go into this process. Often, the land is not zoned for what the developer intends to use it for. As such, re-zoning is often necessary. Zoning ordinances and regulations concerning land use and restriction can be complex and confusing. As such, it is imperative to understand how you can navigate this matter and protect your rights so you can move forward with your development proj ..read more

Commercial real estate transactions in Arizona can be complex. While you might expect a lot of negotiation, sometimes you may feel as if the negotiations are just not going anywhere and wonder if you should walk away. The truth is that sometimes walking away is the best choice. Even if you ultimately finalize the deal, you might be left with a bad feeling about the entire experience and wonder if the purchase was worth it. Here are some signs that you should probably back out of a commercial real estate deal. The numbers aren’t working One of the biggest reasons to walk away is if the numbers ..read more

Arizona real estate law can be complicated and those who are involved in the industry must stay up to date on changes as they come about. Some of these changes fundamentally impact how land is utilized. That can include zoning issues, which are a frequent obstacle for developers. Understanding how new laws will alter the landscape is imperative for everyone who has a stake in real estate. Governor signs housing bill to transition commercial property A new law has gone into effect after a housing bill was signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. Its objective is to transform unused commercial buildings into ..read more

Several television shows have popularized house flipping. These shows may make the process seem more glamorous than it actually is, but with a combination of ability, work and luck, an Arizona resident can indeed make a decent living by buying, re-furbishing and then marketing residential real estate. Like any other business, flipping carries risk. To turn a profit on an investment home, the flipper must be able to sell it for more than the sum of the purchase price and the cost of remodeling the home. House flippers also face several legal risks. If the Federal Housing Administration is insur ..read more

There are many positives to owning a condominium in Arizona. When compared to owning a house, it avoids many of the challenges that people might face including being solely responsible for repairs, maintenance and safety. Still, there are difficulties that can arise. Knowing how the homeowner association (HOA) is responsible for various issues and what unit owners must do is key to ensure the property is handled according to the law. How are responsibilities allocated for upkeep? The HOA is required to make repairs, oversee maintenance and replace common elements if necessary. The unit owners ..read more

Our readers who are familiar with previous posts here probably already know a bit about eminent domain and how that legal concept might impact their property rights. In short, eminent domain is the process by which a governmental entity or other authorized entity can take private property or property rights for public use, as long as just compensation is paid to the property owner. What happens if your property is taken without the eminent domain process being completed? That is when the term “inverse condemnation” may come into play. Inverse condemnation basics As opposed to an eminent domain ..read more

Most Phoenix businesses that are interested in constructing a building to house their operations realize that the City has adopted a zoning ordinance that controls the uses on specific parcels of land. The City’s Planning and Zoning Division provides many different services that are aimed at helping landowners develop their land according to their wishes without violating the Zoning Ordinance. What many prospective developers do not realize is that land use is also controlled by the Phoenix General Plan. The differences between the Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan are not always apparent ..read more

When you purchase a home, land or a business, you are under the impression that this real property is yours in its entirety. Essentially, a property owner is the owner of the land as it is described in the deed. However, certain events might alter the lot lines of their property. In other words, the owner could have a portion of their property – or all of it — taken by the government. Eminent domain may be a somewhat familiar term, but it is something that property owners do not expect to deal with personally. As such, it is not only imperative to understand the laws concerning eminent domain ..read more