Peter Helped me with a case these last few months. Always explained everything in depth. Can’t say enough good things about how it went.
Real Estate Attorneys St. Louis
When facing the complicated legal details of a property transfer, a trusted St. Louis real estate attorney can be invaluable. At Bruntrager & Billings, we provide detailed legal services tailored to your real estate needs, whether you are buying or selling a house, leasing out a commercial property, or working through a dispute with a neighbor, tenant, or contractor.
Real estate transactions are significant financial investments with intricate legal considerations, and errors can lead to expensive disputes and lawsuits. As real estate attorneys in Missouri handling matters throughout the St. Louis metro area, we advise and represent clients throughout the entire process, from the first offer to the closing table. We handle all types of property matters, including residential home sales and purchases, commercial leases, and the disputes that sometimes follow a transaction.
Why Choose Our Real Estate Attorneys in St. Louis?
Successful real estate transactions require a suitable real estate attorney St. Louis, MO clients can rely on, with genuine familiarity with Missouri property law. Here is what sets our real estate attorneys in St. Louis apart.
Local Experience
As real estate lawyers St. Louis clients have turned to for years, we have addressed a wide range of property issues throughout the region, helping clients buy, sell, lease, and litigate matters involving their properties. That depth of experience, built up among St. Louis, Missouri real estate lawyers who know the local market, allows us to spot issues in a contract or title report before they become expensive problems.
Client-Focused Approach
We work diligently on your behalf, prioritizing your specific goals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. No two clients or transactions are alike, so we customize our services to fit your situation, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a commercial developer managing several properties at once.
Local Knowledge
Being based in St. Louis gives us in-depth knowledge of the local real estate market, municipal codes, and recording practices, both within the city and throughout St. Louis County. That local knowledge matters, since procedures and zoning rules can vary considerably from one municipality to the next.
Comprehensive Services
Our real estate attorneys handle both commercial and residential matters, including construction contract drafting, title examination, zoning and land use counseling, and landlord-tenant disputes. As a St. Louis legal team, and as real estate lawyers in St. Louis MO more broadly, we are equipped to handle whatever your real estate needs require under one roof.
Our Approach to Real Estate Cases
We approach every real estate matter strategically and with close attention to detail. Our process typically includes the following steps.
Initial Consultation
We begin with a comprehensive consultation to understand your goals, assess your situation, and identify any potential legal issues early. This allows us to create a customized plan aimed at your specific objectives.
Research and Analysis
We conduct a thorough review of the relevant documents, examine the title, and research applicable zoning and municipal requirements. This groundwork ensures we are prepared to address any issue that surfaces before it can derail your transaction.
Customized Legal Strategy
Based on that research, we build a strategy tailored to your goals, whether you want to purchase a home, negotiate a commercial lease, or resolve a boundary or title dispute. We walk you through your options at each decision point along the way.
Negotiation and Advocacy
Our attorneys are skilled negotiators when a deal needs to come together, and capable litigators when a dispute cannot be resolved at the table. In situations where litigation becomes necessary, we provide strong representation to protect your rights and your investment.
Ongoing Support
Support remains available throughout the transaction or dispute until it is fully resolved. We keep you informed at each stage and remain available to answer questions as they come up.
Real Estate Services We Provide
Our real estate attorneys assist clients with a broad range of matters across the St. Louis region, including:
- Residential Purchases and Sales. Reviewing and negotiating purchase agreements, addressing inspection issues, and guiding clients through closing.
- Commercial Real Estate Transactions. Drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, financing documents, and due diligence for office, retail, and industrial properties.
- Leasing. Drafting and reviewing commercial and residential leases, including renewal, assignment, and termination provisions.
- Construction Contracts. Preparing and reviewing contracts between property owners, developers, and contractors to reduce the risk of disputes during a project.
- Title Examination and Closing. Identifying liens, encumbrances, and other title defects before they can delay or derail a transaction.
- Zoning and Land Use. Guiding clients through variance requests, special use permits, and disputes with municipal planning boards.
- Landlord-Tenant Matters. Drafting leases, pursuing evictions, and defending against wrongful eviction or habitability claims.
- Real Estate Litigation. Representing clients in boundary disputes, easement conflicts, breach of contract claims, and other property-related lawsuits.
Understanding Missouri Real Estate Law
Missouri real estate law touches nearly every stage of a transaction, from the initial agreement through recording the final deed.
Contracts and the Statute of Frauds
Missouri’s statute of frauds, codified at Missouri Revised Statutes Section 432.010, generally requires contracts for the sale of real estate and leases of more than one year to be in writing to be enforceable. An oral agreement to buy or sell property, no matter how clearly understood between the parties, is difficult to enforce in Missouri courts without a signed writing.
Deeds, Titles, and Recording
Property in Missouri is conveyed by deed under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 442.020, and deeds must be properly acknowledged and recorded to provide notice of ownership and protect a buyer’s interest against later claims. A thorough title examination before closing helps confirm that a seller can convey clear, marketable title and that no liens or competing claims will surface after the sale.
Zoning and Land Use in St. Louis City and County
Zoning authority in the region is fragmented among the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and dozens of individual municipalities within the county, each with its own zoning code and planning process. A project that is permitted by right in one municipality may require a variance or special use permit just across a city line. Our attorneys help clients navigate these differences whether their property sits within the city or in a St. Louis County municipality such as Clayton, Kirkwood, or Chesterfield.
Landlord-Tenant Law and Eviction Procedures
Missouri’s landlord-tenant relationship is governed primarily by Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 441 and the eviction procedures set out in Chapter 535. Missouri law caps most residential security deposits at two months’ rent and sets out specific notice requirements before a landlord can file for eviction. Missing a procedural step, such as serving an improper notice, can delay an eviction significantly, which is why landlords and tenants alike benefit from legal guidance before a dispute reaches the courthouse.
Environmental Due Diligence
Environmental contamination and hazardous materials can carry significant legal and financial consequences for a property owner. We help clients conduct environmental due diligence before a purchase and clarify their obligations under state and federal environmental law once a transaction closes.
Where Real Estate Disputes Are Heard
Real estate litigation involving property in the City of St. Louis is generally filed in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. A real estate attorney St. Louis County property owners rely on will instead typically file in the St. Louis County Circuit Court in Clayton, since the county operates its own circuit court separate from the city. Knowing which court and which municipal zoning or building code applies is often the first step in resolving a property dispute correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy or sell a home in Missouri?
Missouri does not require an attorney to close a real estate transaction, but having a real estate lawyer review your purchase agreement and title work can catch problems a title company alone might miss, particularly in a transaction involving unusual financing, an estate sale, or a property with existing tenants.
What should I look for in a real estate attorney in St. Louis?
Look for real estate attorneys St. Louis clients have used before and trust, with direct experience in the type of transaction or dispute you are facing, familiarity with the specific municipality where the property is located, and a track record of clear communication throughout the process. Many St. Louis, Missouri real estate lawyers focus on transactions alone, so ask whether the attorney you are considering also handles litigation if a dispute arises later.
How does buying property in St. Louis County differ from the City of St. Louis?
Properties in St. Louis County are subject to the zoning and building codes of the specific municipality where they are located, in addition to county-level requirements, while properties within the City of St. Louis fall under the city’s own zoning code and permitting process. A real estate attorney familiar with both jurisdictions can help you understand which rules apply to your property.
What happens if a title defect is discovered after closing?
Title insurance, if purchased at closing, may cover certain losses resulting from a defect that existed but was not discovered before the sale. A real estate attorney can help you evaluate your title insurance policy and pursue a claim if a covered defect surfaces after the transaction is complete.
Can a landlord evict a tenant without going to court in Missouri?
No. Missouri law requires a landlord to file an eviction action in circuit court and obtain a judgment before removing a tenant, even after providing proper written notice. Attempting to remove a tenant without a court order can expose a landlord to liability.
What is the difference between an easement and a boundary dispute?
An easement dispute involves disagreement over the right to use a portion of another person’s property for a specific purpose, such as a shared driveway or utility line, while a boundary dispute involves disagreement over where a property line is actually located. Both can typically be resolved through negotiation, a survey, or, when necessary, litigation.
Protect Your Real Estate Investment in St. Louis
If you need a dependable real estate attorney St. Louis property owners trust, our team at Bruntrager & Billings is ready to help, whether you are dealing with a straightforward property transaction or a complex real estate dispute. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a real estate lawyer St. Louis residents rely on to guide them through the process from start to finish.
