Real Estate Services

Our Real Estate Services include…

Standard Property Transactions: Our highly experienced real estate attorneys can assist you in the purchase, sale, and leasing of properties. We expertly draft and review contracts, purchase agreements, and lease agreements to ensure that the terms are fair, accurate, and legally binding.

"For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) Transactions: We can help you exercise full control over your land purchase or sale by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, conducting title searches, and providing legal advice throughout the process. We ensure legal compliance, help mediate negotiations, and oversee the closing process to ensure a smooth property transfer between the seller and buyer.

Negotiation and Dispute Resolution: Real estate attorneys negotiate on behalf of their clients to reach favorable terms in property transactions. If disputes arise, we provide guidance and representation in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation.

Title Examination and Insurance: Attorneys perform title searches to verify the ownership history and legal status of a property. We also help clients obtain title insurance to protect against any potential title defects or claims.

Due Diligence: Before a property transaction, real estate attorneys conduct due diligence, which involves investigating the property's history, zoning regulations, land use restrictions, and any potential legal issues that could affect the transaction.

Financing and Mortgages: Galloway Law Group assists clients in obtaining financing for real estate transactions. We review and negotiate mortgage agreements, deeds of trust, and other financial documents.

Alternative Financing: Our attorneys are well-versed in the various alternative financing options available for purchasing property in Washington State. These options often involve creative or non-traditional methods of financing beyond conventional mortgages.

·         Real Estate Contracts. Real estate contracts are legally binding agreements that outline the terms and conditions of a real estate transaction, such as the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of property. Our lawyers can draft and customize your contract to reflect the specific terms you want negotiated while ensuring legal compliance and protecting your interests.

·         Promissory Notes and Deeds of Trust. We can help private lenders and borrowers structure their loans securely and discreetly. We can draft custom deeds of trust and promissory notes that accurately reflect the terms of your loan, the specific property involved, and the particular obligations of the parties. This will help you establish a clear legal relationship between borrower and the lender and provide a framework for enforcing the terms of the loan agreement.

·         Seller Financing. Also known as owner financing, this involves the property seller acting as the lender and allowing the buyer to make payments directly to them, often with an agreed-upon interest rate and repayment schedule. We can draft the necessary documents to formalize this arrangement.

·         Lease-to-Own Agreements. We structure custom lease-to-own agreements, where a portion of the rent paid by the tenant is credited toward their eventual purchase of the property, allowing them to buy the property at a predetermined price and more favorable terms than buying on the open market.

·         Private Lenders and Investors. We help individuals or businesses arrange financing from private lenders or investors who provide funds for purchasing property in exchange for agreed-upon terms, interest rates, and collateral.

·         Hard Money Loans. Are you a real estate investor or an individual in need of quick financing? Let us help you structure a short-term, high-interest loans that meets your needs.

Real Estate Closings: As a full-service Real Estate firm, we will oversee the closing process, ensuring that all legal and financial requirements are met before the transfer of ownership takes place. We take care in reviewing closing documents, facilitating the transfer of funds, and ensuring the proper recording of the transaction. Galloway Law Group can even help you close transactions that title companies are unwilling to process, including:

·         Unclear or Clouded Title

·         Property in Litigation

·         Unpermitted Improvements

·         Environmental Concerns

·         Complex Chain of Title

·         Non-Traditional Property Types

·         Property Condition Issues

·         Title Exceptions

·         Unusual Financing Arrangements

Property Development: We offer expert advice on all legal aspects of property development, including land use regulations, zoning changes, environmental regulations, and permitting.

Mixed-Use Development: We are experienced in complex mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and retail spaces, ensuring compliance with zoning regulations and navigating tenant agreements. Let us help you make your development dreams a reality.

Condominium and Homeowners Associations: Galloway Law Group helps both boards and homeowners navigate complex legal issues related to condominium associations and homeowners associations, including creation, governance, bylaws, regulations, liens, disputes, and dissolutions.

Real Estate Litigation: When disputes arise, such as boundary disputes, easement conflicts, or breach of contract claims, we can provide representation in court to protect your most critical interests. Some examples include:

·         Breach of Contract: We litigate cases where contract terms – whether in purchase agreements or leases – have been violated, seeking remedies for the aggrieved party due to the breach.

·         Title Disputes: Having trouble loving thy neighbor? Let us help resolve your differences regarding property ownership, defense or prosecution of title claims, tendering defense to your insurance company, and placing and clearing liens and encumbrances that impact the property's sale or transfer, ensuring a clear title.

·         Boundary and Easement Disputes: One of our specialties is resolving conflict regarding property boundaries and shared easements, seeking resolutions or court orders to clarify rights and prevent disputes.

·         Timber Trespass: Did you know that if someone cuts down your trees in Washington, you can recover up to three times their value AND have your attorneys’ fees reimbursed? With our industry connections and extensive experience in “Tree Law,” Galloway Law Group can help you get your money’s worth for the damage.

·         Quiet Title Actions: Our experienced real estate lawyers can help you file a lawsuit to remove clouds on your property's title, clarifying ownership and resolving uncertainties in ownership claims.

·         Adverse Possession: Have you been using land that isn’t yours for a long time? Do you wonder if you might own it? Consult with us to determine if you have a viable claim for adverse possession.

·         Construction Defects: Let our legal experts handle your case involving faulty construction, design defects, or poor workmanship, putting money back in your pocket for damages or repairs.

·         Real Estate Fraud: We aggressively litigate cases involving fraudulent real estate transfers, pursuing legal remedies for victims of misrepresentation, non-disclosure, undue influence and coercion, and inter-familial fraud.

·         Zoning and Land Use Disputes: Allow our legal professionals to address your concerns regarding zoning regulations, land use restrictions, and variances, advocating for your rights and interests.

·         Eminent Domain and Condemnation: Galloway Law Group represents you when the government wants to take your property for public use, working diligently to make sure you are fairly compensated for the true value of your land.

·         Property Damage Claims: Has your property been damaged by neighboring activities, construction, or natural events? We can advise you of your rights and help you get your land and structures back in working order.

·         Specific Performance: Our attorneys are experienced in obtaining court orders to enforce specific terms of real estate contracts and purchase and sale agreements, ensuring parties fulfill their obligations as agreed.

Commercial Landlord-Tenant Matters: Having an attorney well-versed in commercial landlord-tenant law can help you understand your rights, obligations, and options, whether you are a landlord seeking to protect your property or a tenant seeking to ensure fair treatment. Our expertise can help prevent disputes and, when necessary, effectively resolve them through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Galloway Law Group can help you get the most out of your lease, offering services such as:

·         Lease Review and Negotiation: The lease agreement forms the foundation of the landlord-tenant relationship. Ensuring that lease terms are fair, comprehensive, and legally sound is crucial. Our attorneys can review and negotiate lease terms to protect your rights and interests.

·         Assignment and Subleasing: We can provide guidance on tenant requests for assignment or subleasing, ensuring that these transactions comply with lease terms and legal requirements.

·         Eviction and Termination: Addressing eviction issues requires strict adherence to legal procedures and tenant rights. Let us guide you through the eviction process, ensuring compliance with eviction laws and minimizing potential legal pitfalls.

·         Lease Disputes and Litigation: When disputes arise, having an attorney with litigation experience can be vital. Our skilled attorneys can represent you in court, advocating for your position and striving to achieve a favorable resolution.

·         Default and Breach Issues: In the event of lease defaults or breaches, we can help you understand your options and rights. Let us advise you on the appropriate steps to take, which could include negotiation, mediation, or legal action.

***Please note that we are not presently assisting residential landlord-tenant clients.***

Real Estate Taxation: Our seasoned attorneys advise clients on tax implications related to property transactions, including property taxes, transfer taxes, and potential tax benefits.

Property Tax Appeals: If you’re like most of us in Western Washington, you were flabbergasted by your property tax bill this year. Do you have grounds to appeal? Clients with high-value properties should seek legal representation to appeal property tax assessments and reduce tax liabilities.

Real Estate Investment: Galloway Law Group offers expert legal advice to real estate investors on structuring real estate investment deals, forming investment entities, and mitigating legal risks.

Family Office Real Estate Transactions: We work with family offices to manage complex real estate portfolios, including acquisitions, sales, leasing, and estate planning involving multiple high-value properties.

Real Estate Philanthropy: Have a mind for giving? Let us assist you in donating your real property to a charitable organization or trust, addressing tax implications and legal requirements for such donations.

Historic Property Preservation: Clients who own historic properties may need legal advice on preservation efforts, securing historic designations, and adhering to regulations that protect the historical integrity of the property. Galloway Law Group can help you preserve your century home legally as well as physically so it can continue to be enjoyed and loved for years to come as it has been in years past.

Conservation Easements: Our talented real estate lawyers can assist clients in establishing conservation easements to protect environmentally sensitive land while potentially obtaining tax benefits.

Air, Water, and View Rights: Interested in purchasing or selling air, water, or view rights? Let us assist you in negotiating a water-tight (pun intended) agreement with your neighbors and local authorities.

Shared Well Agreements: Shared well agreements are legally binding contracts that outline the terms and conditions of how multiple property owners will share, manage, and maintain a single well as a water source. Because these agreements involve legal and technical considerations, you should consult with a qualified real estate attorney who has experience in water rights, property law, and contract drafting. Galloway Law Group can help ensure that your agreement is comprehensive, legally sound, and tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the property owners involved.

Vacation Rentals: If you own a luxury vacation property and rent it out on a short or long-term basis, you should consider meeting with us to help you draft your rental agreement, address concerning liability issues, and comply with hyper-local short-term rental regulations.

Space Leasing for Telecommunications: Have you been approached by an entity wanting to place a cell tower or other utility infrastructure on your land? Galloway Law Group assists clients on a regular basis who lease their property for telecommunication infrastructure, carefully negotiating future-proof contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and negotiating critical lease terms.

Foreclosures: No one wants to do it, but sometimes it has to be done. Galloway Law Group can guide you through the complexities of the foreclosure process as painlessly as possible by explaining your legal rights, assisting with the notice of default, initiating a foreclosure lawsuit if necessary, and facilitating the property's public auction or sale. We’ll ensure compliance with foreclosure laws, address challenges from the borrower, and handle post-foreclosure matters such as property transfer and documentation.