00:00:00

Taylor: Investing in real estate can be one of the most beneficial financial decisions you could ever make. But you can also lose money investing in real estate just as easily.

00:00:08

Paul: For example, after selling a property, you can get sued by the buyer for allegedly not disclosing all of the property’s defects even when trying to sell the property as is.

00:00:19

Taylor: Or you could have a great deal in place for a property or selling, only to have the buyer walk away from your deal at the closing table.

00:00:26

Paul: And if you’re renting out real estate to tenants, projected profits on spreadsheets do not necessarily translate to profits in reality.

There are countless pitfalls and trap doors that landlords fall into with tenants, causing loss rent, property damage or other headaches. Hi, my name is Paul Zimmer

00:00:44

Taylor: And I’m Taylor Rens. Zimmer and Rens LLC is a Wisconsin real estate and business law firm that helps southeast Wisconsin individuals acquire and protect their real estate and business investments.

Let me tell you a short story about Bobby. Bobby was a real estate investor client who flipped a house and tried selling it “as-is”, stating “as-is” on the contract. Then after the sale, Bobby received a letter from the buyer’s lawyer claiming Bobby committed fraud by not disclosing defects on the property, while Bobby thought he was protected by including the words “as-is” in the contract. That was not enough to avoid the buyer’s claim. Bobby ultimately had to pay a settlement to resolve the claim. Had Bobby hired Zimmer and Rens, he could have used a one-page addendum in the real estate contract that would have protected him against the buyer’s claims.

00:01:31

Paul: Bottom line, real estate is a litigious business. Generally, there are three areas that Zimmer and Rens can help keep you and your business safe from liability when investing in real estate.

First, the way you structure the holding of the real estate, whether you hold it in your own name or in the name of a business entity or in the name of a trust. As you increase the amount of real estate you hold strategically holding the real estate in a liability-protected way becomes more and more important.

Second, making sure you’re using the right documentation for each transaction. While real estate transactions can sometimes be accomplished without using an attorney. Knowing which form to use in which situation, and knowing when to deviate from the forms and craft something perfect for the exact deal at hand is imperative.

And third, when things go wrong and a dispute arises, handling the dispute in a timely and diligent way that not only preserves all of your rights, but also gains you every possible advantage.

00:02:26

Taylor: Look, helping clients navigate the real estate related legal issues is what we do. Whether that means setting you up with the right type of document for your situation, or helping you prosecute or defend a real estate related legal claim. Real estate law is in our DNA.

00:02:42

Paul: So, call your friends at Zimmer and Rens for a free initial consultation and meet with an attorney from our team to review your situation so you understand all of your options.

00:02:50

Taylor: Whether you need assistance in facilitating or drafting ironclad contracts for your real estate deals, formulating the most protective business structure to minimize your risk exposure, or you’re stuck in the middle of an unpleasant legal dispute. Zimmer and Rens is a one stop shop for all your real estate legal needs.