Dedicated Attorneys Address Real Estate Law Issues In Columbus
Last updated on January 26, 2026
Real estate is just one way to improve your community. In Columbus, our lawyers at Neiman Law help companies and individuals with commercial real estate transactions and related issues.
Even the smallest missed detail can lead to thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of missed opportunities. With a business mind, an eye for detail and experience assisting with multimillion-dollar transactions throughout Columbus and nationwide, our real estate team can help guide your project to success.
From Planning To Closing, You Can Trust Our Team At Neiman Law To Be There For You
Commercial real estate transactions, especially large-scale projects, can easily be led off course by seemingly minor mistakes. Working with an experienced commercial real estate attorney in Ohio from the beginning of your project to its completion can help you avoid these costly mistakes and prevent issues from arising.
One of our experienced Columbus real estate lawyers can help you with sound legal advice and detailed assistance at every step of your real estate project, including:
- Commercial real estate transactions: We can guide you through buying, selling or leasing commercial properties. We will ensure all documents are accurate and protect your interests in high-value deals.
- Litigation and dispute resolution: When conflicts arise, we will work to represent your interests in negotiations or court.
- Business law: From starting a business to daily operations, we can provide guidance on legal matters. We can assist with compliance concerns and contracts to safeguard your business interests.
- Franchise law: We help our clients understand franchise agreements and regulations. With our help, you can ensure your rights are protected whether you are buying or selling a franchise.
Working with a local real estate lawyer in Ohio who understands zoning and land use laws can be integral to your success. For someone unfamiliar with the intricacies of real estate matters, it is easy to miss important details.
You can trust our attorneys’ knowledge and creative approach to solve even the most complex problems. Having helped some of the largest corporations in Ohio and throughout the country develop property, they understand what it takes to be successful in real estate.
What Is An Ohio Opportunity Zone?
The Ohio Opportunity Zone program aims to address the economic inequality that arose following the housing market crisis in 2007 and 2008. The program targets long-term private investments to help grow distressed areas and low-income communities. Opportunity zones provide benefits for taxpayers who invest, including individuals, partnerships and corporations. If you are interested in the benefits of the Ohio Opportunity Zone program, our property lawyers are here to discuss your circumstances and answer your questions.
What Are Some Common Development Hurdles For Commercial Property?
Commercial real estate development projects often come with challenges and setbacks. One of the major real estate law matters affecting developers is government regulations. Ever-changing real estate laws can create roadblocks for your project, including those involving zoning, land use, building codes and permit requirements. Financial regulations for commercial lenders may also make it difficult to obtain a loan. Our Ohio real estate attorneys can help you from the start of your project, ensuring that your project meets all property laws and regulations.
What Is Eminent Domain In Real Estate?
Eminent domain is the legal concept that allows local, state and federal governments to seize private property to use for a public purpose. Both the U.S. and Ohio constitutions authorize government entities, such as a city, county or federal agency, to take real property from its private owner in exchange for “just compensation.” In eminent domain cases, the definition of “public purpose” traditionally meant structures such as new roads, bridges or fire stations.
In response to a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision that stated using eminent domain to transfer property from one private owner to another for “economic development” is a permissible form of public purpose, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that economic benefit alone does not justify taking property under eminent domain. However, it may still be possible for a private developer to get assistance from a government body in obtaining land through eminent domain.
Usually, the controversy in one of these legal issues is not whether the government’s taking of the property is legal, but whether the government is offering fair compensation to the owner. The owner and government are often far apart on the property’s current market value, with litigation sometimes being the only solution.
Do You Really Need An Attorney To Review A Standard Commercial Lease Or Can You Sign It As-Is?
You should never sign a commercial lease without having an attorney review it. Commercial leases are not consumer-friendly documents, and any presented as “standard” probably heavily favors the landlord. Unlike with residential leases, there are very few tenant protections baked into the law. Lease language often shifts risk onto the tenant via provisions on maintenance, repairs, insurance, personal guarantees and default penalties.
An attorney can flag clauses that unfairly expand your obligations or limit your options. Given that commercial leases usually span multiple years and involve significant sums, signing “as-is” may save money upfront, but it can leave you financially exposed.
Should You Purchase A Commercial Property Under Your Own Name Or Form An LLC?
Using a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to purchase commercial property is almost always wiser than buying it in your own name, even though there are setup and maintenance costs involved with an LLC.
Buying in your own name makes you directly responsible for any liabilities tied to the property, including personal injury judgments, environmental issues and more. An LLC offers a layer of liability protection by separating your personal assets from business assets and can also simplify both tax and estate planning.
What Constitutes “Due Diligence” In A Commercial Transaction, And How Long Does It Take?
Due diligence is the investigation phase where the buyer verifies that the property is as claimed. This usually means reviewing leases and other financial records, zoning compliance, environmental reports, the title, surveys, inspections and permits. A solid review helps ensure you are buying what you expect, not hidden problems.
The timeline for this process varies according to the amount of information that has to be reviewed, but 30 to 90 days is not unusual. Rushing the due diligence process increases your financial risk.
What Happens If I Buy A Property And Later Discover A Zoning Or Land-Use Restriction?
Discovering a zoning issue after you purchase a property can be a financial disaster. A zoning restriction can limit how a property can be used, expanded or developed, and your options for legal remedies may be very limited.
You may be able to seek a variance, apply for rezoning or modify your business plans – but there are no guarantees. In addition, your ability to seek redress from the seller may depend solely on the language of your contract and their disclosures. That is why an experienced attorney’s assistance with zoning verification during due diligence is critical, in case you need to walk away from the deal before closing.
Why Choose Our Firm For Your Commercial Real Estate Needs
At our law firm, we bring sophistication to every commercial real estate transaction. We have successfully managed multimillion-dollar deals throughout Columbus and across the nation. Our team combines deep knowledge with strong guidance to help our clients understand complex real estate matters. We pride ourselves on our fastidious attention to detail, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Our approach is both creative and responsive. We understand the importance of timely communication and effective strategies. You can rely on our good judgment and consistent results. As commercial real estate attorneys, we are committed to building strong relationships with our clients in Ohio.
Work With Our Columbus Real Estate Lawyers To Successfully Complete Your Real Estate Project
From the planning phase of your project to the final closing, Neiman Law is here for you. Whether you need help negotiating the sale agreement or are running into problems with zoning and permits, our attorneys have the skills and knowledge to help you solve these real estate issues and meet your goals. Contact a real estate attorney today to schedule a discovery call and learn more about how they can help your project succeed. Call Neiman Law at 614-454-3579 or complete our online contact form.
