Our firm works in both the residential and commercial side of real estate. We offer a comprehensive and multifaceted range of services, including the purchase or sale of real property, mortgaging and refinancing, leasing, or representing litigants in complex disputes. Other services include syndication, LEED and green building counseling, zoning issues and negotiation. Whatever it may be, the attorneys at C.T. Lee & Associates will work diligently to get the job done and endeavor to do so in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
We are results-oriented visionaries with a comprehensive and contemporary knowledge of real estate law within the states of New York and New Jersey. The varied and ever-changing intricacies in this practice area require a real estate attorney to stay on the cutting-edge of industry trends and changes, and serve as a valued resource. That is what we offer our clients.
We assist single buyers in sales and purchase of residential and commercial property. However, we also can assist large institutional real estate owners, REITs, lenders and users in evaluating and structuring acquisitions, dispositions and leasing of properties and portfolios. These include REIT mergers and acquisitions and representing REITs in numerous public and private equity and debt offerings, joint ventures and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions.
We can work from the beginning with a developer’s engineers to develop a cohesive site plan to obtain approval from the municipality. We analyze the easiest way to obtaining zoning, land use approvals and highway occupancy approvals, and follow through till completion of the development. After construction, we work with the municipality to see that all required conditions for approval are met and that any operations issues are addressed. In addition, we often obtain zoning and land use approvals after a retail center is opened for specific purposes such as outside retail sales or garden centers.
Leases may carry a variety of business and legal risks. A well-negotiated lease can save time and money. Many lease and sublease transactions require an assessment and allocation of costs, benefits and risks. Our firm has the experience, market knowledge and business savvy to help clients sort through the competing claims of leasing brokers, dense leasing documents, and complex construction and development issues. We also understand the need to negotiate and document the transaction quickly, while minimizing the client’s legal and business risks.
Our firm helps clients understand and assess available real estate finance options for various costs, benefits, and risks to choose the one that best suits their business needs. We advise clients on traditional mortgage loans, mortgage securitizations, bank syndications, off-balance sheet financing, interest rate swaps and other derivatives, and bond market financing. We also help owners and developers restructure and refinance borrowing entities. We help resolve disputes among partners or shareholders.
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED ®) rating system can save owners large sums of money through government subsidies. We counsel building owners and construction firms on the practical risk allocation, contracting scheme, and organization of a project team for a green building project. Our firm creates and revises contracts to satisfy the LEED requirement for integrated design. Moreover, we advise clients on integrating LEED or other green building rating systems into leases for green buildings.
We are skilled at navigating through the requirements of government programs to determine which economic development incentives best lower the bottom line for owners. These include grants, low-interest loans, tax credits, tax exemptions, pooled financing and tax-exempt financing.
We represent clients who were parties to incomplete real estate transactions recover money or clear the title to their home of lis pendens.
We emphasize on clear communication and a personal approach. Our clients work directly with an attorney from the initial consultation through the resolution of the case. We are quick to respond to client needs, available to answer your questions and intent on keeping you informed of the status of your case.
