Olympia Real Estate Lawyer

Real estate laws in Olympia, Washington, are complex and often confusing. Many people believe they can handle real estate transactions on their own only to later realize they are in over their heads.

An experienced Olympia real estate lawyer can be an invaluable resource to help protect your rights and make the buying or selling process go more smoothly. An attorney can also help you resolve disputes and advocate for you to increase your chances of obtaining your goals and the favorable outcomes you seek.

The Olympia real estate attorneys at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess have more than 100 years of collective legal experience. We have helped hundreds of clients with their complex real estate transactions and disputes throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. Contact us today at (360) 742-3500 to speak with one of our attorneys about your needs and find out how we can help.

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Why Choose Our Olympia Real Estate Attorneys?

At Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, we have served a diverse range of clients in Olympia and across the Pacific Northwest for more than 25 years. During that time, we’ve gained a reputation for excellence and helping our clients achieve their goals effectively.

We pride ourselves on delivering personalized attention that gets results, and we value integrity, honesty, and prioritizing the needs of our clients.

Honored for our professionalism and outstanding client service, we have received numerous awards, including recognition from Best Lawyers as one of the Best Law Firms in the United States. Several of our attorneys have received Best of the Bar and Distinguished Lawyer designations, and we’ve received dozens of powerful testimonials from our satisfied clients.

We can arm you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions, and we empower our clients to take an active interest in their cases. We are motivated by your interests, and you can depend on us for dedicated support and unmatched legal counsel throughout the process to protect your rights and help you achieve the positive results you expect and deserve.

What Types of Real Estate Services Do You Offer?

Our Olympia real estate lawyers play a crucial role in various aspects of real estate transactions. Our primary function is to provide legal guidance and support to individuals, businesses, or entities involved in buying, selling, or leasing real property.

Here are some key tasks and responsibilities a real estate lawyer can help you with: 

• Contract Review and Drafting: Our real estate lawyers review and draft purchase agreements, lease agreements, and other legal documents related to real estate transactions. We ensure that the terms and conditions are fair, legal, and protect our clients’ interests.
• Title Examination: We conduct or oversee title searches to ensure that the property has a clear title. Our attorneys investigate any existing liens, easements, or encumbrances that might affect the property.
• Due Diligence: Our real estate lawyers assist clients in conducting due diligence on a property. This includes investigating potential legal issues, zoning regulations, environmental concerns, and other relevant factors.
• Closing Process: A lawyer from our firm can guide you through the real estate closing process. We can help ensure that all legal requirements are met and that the transfer of ownership is executed correctly. We can also attend the closing to address any last-minute issues that may arise.
• Financing and Mortgages: We advise clients on financing options and review mortgage agreements. We ensure that the financing terms are fair and comply with legal requirements.
• Dispute Resolution: In the event of disputes related to real estate transactions, such as contract disagreements or boundary disputes, our real estate lawyers provide legal representation and work to resolve the issues through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
• Land Use and Zoning: You can turn to us for help understanding and navigating local zoning laws and land-use variations. We can assist in obtaining necessary permits and approvals for development projects.
• Foreclosure and Bankruptcy: In cases of foreclosure or bankruptcy related to real estate, our attorneys represent your interests, ensuring that legal procedures are followed and exploring options for resolution.
• Property Development: Our lawyers assist with legal aspects of property development, including negotiating contracts with builders, addressing zoning issues, and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
• Commercial Real Estate Transactions: For commercial real estate transactions, our attorneys handle complex negotiations, lease agreements, and other legal matters unique to commercial properties.
• Landlord-Tenant Issues: The real estate lawyers at our firm represent landlords or tenants in issues related to leases, evictions (or unlawful detainer in Washington), rent issues, or property maintenance.
• Real Estate Litigation: When disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation or other alternative dispute resolution methods, our lawyers may represent you in court, handling litigation related to real property issues.

No matter the legal issue or transaction you’re dealing with, you can turn to us for customized strategies and solutions based on your needs and goals. Having a real estate lawyer on your side is crucial to safeguarding your rights and interests, and it can make a considerable difference in the outcome of your case.

What Types of Clients Do You Help?

Our real estate lawyers provide legal services to a variety of clients involved in a broad range of real estate transactions and property-related matters.

They include: 

• Homebuyers and Sellers
• Real Estate Investors
• Commercial Property Owners and Tenants
• Real Estate Developers
• Construction Companies and Contractors
• Landlords and Tenants
• Property Managers
• Real Estate Agents and Brokers
• Lenders
• Title Companies
• Individuals Facing Foreclosure and Short Sales

We can help virtually any individual or entity facing complex legal challenges involving real estate transactions or disputes. Our attorneys tailor their services to meet the specific needs of our clients, so you know you will receive the highest level of service possible.

What Are Common Real Estate Disputes We Handle?

Real estate disputes can arise from various situations and issues.

Some common types of real estate disputes we handle at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess include:

• Boundary and Easement Disputes: Conflicts between neighboring property owners regarding property lines, encroachments, or disputes over easements. We can determine what rights a client has about someone else trespassing on or using their property. We also handle disputes between neighbors over issues such as noise, property maintenance, or disagreements regarding property boundaries.
• Contractual Disputes: Disagreements over the terms and conditions of real estate contracts, including purchase agreements, lease agreements, or construction contracts. We can help you negotiate favorable terms and protect your rights and interests.
• Title Disputes and Adverse Possession: Issues related to unclear property titles, conflicting property ownership claims, or undisclosed liens. These can affect the ability to transfer clear ownership, and we’ll do the proper due diligence to clear a title or uncover issues that must be resolved. We can also address adverse possession issues if a person claims to be a rightful property owner after having used the property for 10 years or more.
• Construction and Defect Disputes: We can assist with disputes arising from construction defects, substandard work, or delays in construction projects. Issues may include breach of contract, poor workmanship, or failure to meet building code standards.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes: Our attorneys regularly handle conflicts between landlords and tenants involving various issues. These include rent payment disputes, lease term disputes, lease violations, unlawful detainers, or property maintenance issues.
• Property Use and Zoning Disputes: Disputes may arise when property owners want to use their land in a way that conflicts with local regulations. We can help resolve conflicts over land use regulations, zoning laws, or restrictions that affect how a property can be used. 
• Partition of Real Estate: Similarly, we can assist with issues involving property that is jointly owned and one owner no longer wishes to maintain ownership.
• Eminent Domain Disputes: Conflicts can arise when the government exercises its power of eminent domain to take private property for public use. Disputes may involve the valuation of the property and the compensation offered to the property owner. We can help ensure the government treats you fairly and that you receive just compensation for your property.
• Foreclosure and Mortgage Disputes: Disputes related to foreclosure proceedings, loan modifications, or issues with mortgage lenders. We can help homeowners dispute foreclosure actions or challenge the terms of their mortgage agreements.
• Environmental Issues: Disputes involving environmental contamination of the property. We can assist with any legal challenges that arise if a party discovers undisclosed environmental issues that affect a property’s value or use.
• Fraud and Misrepresentation: If you encounter a situation involving fraudulent activities, misrepresentation of property value, or deceptive practices during the sale or purchase of real estate, we can help you hold the fraudulent parties accountable and seek a favorable resolution for you.
• Property Insurance Disputes: We can help with conflicts between property owners and insurance companies regarding coverage, claims, or disputes over property damage or loss.

In most cases, we prefer to resolve disputes and issues through negotiation as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques, such as mediation and arbitration. However, we are skilled trial attorneys known for our preparedness and tenacity. If we need to take your course, we will. In any event, you can trust us to work diligently to help you navigate the challenges and fight to protect your interests.

What Rights Do I Have as a Property Owner in Olympia, WA?

As a property owner in Olympia, Washington, you have rights and responsibilities, including:

• The right to exclusive possession and use of your property, subject to local zoning and land-use regulations.
• The right to use and enjoy your property within the bounds of the law. 
• The right to privacy within your home and on your land. 
• The right to sell, transfer, or bequeath your property as you see fit. 
• The right to fair compensation for eminent domain.
• The right to challenge zoning decisions if you feel they adversely impact your property rights.
• The right to challenge assessments.
• The right to waterfront access if your property sits adjacent to a body of water.

You have other property rights as well. An Olympia real estate attorney from our firm can provide you with personalized guidance and specific information based on your situation and property type.

How Do I Protect My Rights in an Olympia Real Estate Transaction?

Protecting your rights in an Olympia real estate transaction is crucial to ensure a smooth and lawful process.

You can safeguard your interests if you: 

• Don’t assume any real estate contract or lease agreement is fair and involves your best interests. Don’t skip over sections you don’t understand, as you may sign away your rights without realizing it.
• Get everything in writing. Keep a written record of all communications, agreements, and transactions related to the real estate deal. Having a documented trail can be valuable in case of disputes.
• Require the seller to provide full and accurate disclosures regarding the property’s condition, known defects, and any potential issues. If the seller fails to disclose material information, it could lead to legal consequences.
• Hire a lawyer who can explain local zoning and land-use regulations that may affect how you can use the property. Ensure that your intended use aligns with these regulations to avoid legal issues in the future.
• Perform thorough due diligence on the property. This includes obtaining a property inspection, reviewing the title report, and checking for any outstanding liens, easements, or encumbrances. Understanding the property’s condition and history is crucial.

Before entering into any real estate transaction, consult a real estate attorney. Our Olympia real estate lawyers can provide valuable guidance, review contracts, and look out for your rights and interests throughout the process.

Contact an Olympia Real Estate Attorney Today

The Olympia real estate and business lawyers at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess are here to help you with any real estate transaction you have.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or looking to lease residential commercial property, we can be a valuable resource to help ensure the process goes smoothly. We are also here to assist with any disputes that arise and serve as your legal advocates to protect your rights and interests.

To receive answers to any questions you have about your real estate transaction or your rights as a property owner in Olympia, contact Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess today at (360) 742-3500 for your free, confidential consultation.

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess – Olympia Office

Address: 111 21st Avenue Southwest

Olympia, WA 98501

Phone: (360) 742-3500