Commercial Real Estate Attorney | Craig A. Fine, Esq.
Commercial real estate decisions affect operations, financing, liability, cash flow and long-term business planning. A purchase, sale or lease may involve an entity buyer, lender conditions, tenant rights, environmental or land-use concerns, title exceptions, service contracts and substantial continuing obligations. Craig A. Fine, Esq. is licensed in New York, New Jersey and Florida and advises clients on accepted commercial property matters through The Law Office of Craig A. Fine, P.C.
Commercial purchases and sales
A commercial purchase agreement should reflect the parties, property, price, deposits, due diligence period, financing conditions, representations, closing requirements and remedies. Counsel can help determine whether the proposed buyer or seller has proper authority, whether approvals are required and which documents must be delivered before closing.
Commercial due diligence may extend beyond a basic title search. Depending on the property and transaction, clients may need to evaluate surveys, leases, rent records, service agreements, zoning, certificates, access rights, easements, taxes, pending violations and the allocation of expenses. Other professionals may be needed for environmental, engineering, tax, insurance or financial issues. Legal review should coordinate with those disciplines without implying that one review replaces another.
Commercial leases and occupancy rights
A commercial lease allocates significant risk over an extended period. Rent is only one part of the agreement. Use restrictions, additional rent, maintenance, repairs, insurance, indemnity, guarantees, renewal rights, assignment, subletting, casualty, condemnation, default and termination provisions can materially affect the landlord or tenant.
Businesses should review proposed lease terms before committing to a location, build-out or financing arrangement. Landlords should make sure the lease reflects the property, permitted use, operating requirements and remedies. Existing leases also matter in a property acquisition because the buyer may assume obligations to tenants at closing.
Title, zoning and closing preparation
Title review may identify mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, restrictions, party-wall matters, access concerns or recording defects. Zoning and land-use questions may affect whether a proposed business, alteration or development is permitted. A closing can require entity resolutions, organizational documents, lender materials, transfer instruments, assignments, tenant notices and carefully reviewed closing figures.
These issues should be addressed according to the governing jurisdiction and transaction documents. Licensing in New York, New Jersey and Florida allows Craig A. Fine, Esq. to review accepted matters involving clients whose business or property interests cross state lines, without suggesting that the firm maintains an office in every location served.
Common commercial property concerns
- Purchase and sale contract terms and due diligence deadlines
- Entity authority, guarantees and financing conditions
- Existing leases, tenant rights and assignment obligations
- Title exceptions, surveys, access and recorded restrictions
- Zoning, permitted use, certificates and property compliance
- Operating expenses, taxes, insurance and maintenance allocation
- Closing documents, adjustments and post-closing obligations
Related Craig A. Fine resources
- Craig A. Fine, Esq. professional profile
- Business law guidance from Craig A. Fine, Esq.
- Zoning, rezoning and land-use guidance
- Title examination and closing counsel
- Understanding real estate attorney roles
- Commercial lease review: use, guarantees, assignments and exit terms
About Craig A. Fine, Esq.
Craig A. Fine, Esq. founded The Law Office of Craig A. Fine, P.C. in 2007. He is licensed in New York, New Jersey and Florida. His practice includes commercial and residential real estate, title and closing matters, business law, landlord-tenant matters, wills, trusts and estate planning. The firm is headquartered at 159 New Dorp Plaza in Staten Island, New York. Follow Craig through his verified public profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every matter depends on its documents, facts and jurisdiction. Viewing this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
