Real Estate

Plaintiff Buyer bought a large parcel of land in a desirable location, with the intent to subdivide. Seller had listed the parcel with a real estate professional, who took the lot size from the assessor's records and made the usual indications that buyer should verify independently if it was a concern. Assessor's records, while having the correct measurements, were substantially and meaningfully off on the computation of the square footage. (The computation gave the square footage more than 12,000 square feet over the actual amount.) Plaintiff discovered the discrepancy when they tried to subdivide. Neither the seller nor the agents, nor the buyer, had any knowledge that the square footage of the lot was wrong.

Settled a case where plaintiffs, African-American Lesbian couple, were denied an apartment application after telling landlord they had a daughter. Landlord said the limit for the 2 Bedroom apartment was 2 people. Landlord then rented to 3 adults, 2 White, 1 Korean-American.

Plaintiff neglected to pay rent on a regular basis. Landlord issued 3-day eviction notices every month on the second of the month to generate an eviction of the rent-controlled apartment. Tenant sued landlord for harassment. Case settled for $75,000.

Landlord failed to provide CC+Rs to tenant upon lease and failed to tell tenant that HOA enforced every detail of CC+Rs. After move-in, a landlord repeatedly visited tenant, sometimes entering the garage to talk to tenant about violations of rules.

Husband sued estate of wife and executor/step-daughter for misappropriation, breach of contact. Duty and elder abuse. Step-daughter claimed plaintiff conveyed all his interest in the family home to deceased wife and took funds from joint account.

Parties bought properties together but didn't put both names on a title. Non-titled owner withheld collected rents to force titled owner to amend title. Instead, titled owner transferred properties to a trust she created, then sued for damage to trust assets

Developer sought to purchase two sub dividable lots from seller but miscommunications cause the sale to fall through. In an action for specific performance, settlement resulted in re-negotiated deal suitable to all.

Arbitration award compromise amount was paid off through written compromise negotiated by agent.

Seller did not tell buyer that remodel, including removal of load-bearing wall, was done without permits. Contractor was seller's friend, license suspended, and no written contract.

Former domestic partners owned property in joint tenancy. At the end of the relationship, one party returned to Mexico and made no contributions to mortgage or taxes. Remaining partner could not refinance or sell. Parties sued for partition and contribution.

Major investors cancelled investments in real estate development because units were not built. Parties disputed tights to cancellation, refunds, commissions, and investor binding fees.

Settled a dispute between neighbors over a lot line, encroachments, easements for ingress and egress, and drainage issues.

Handled a case involving rural property neighbors dispute over water rights and property lines.

Settled a case in which an agent failed to upload inspection reports to DocuSign and advised the buyer that pictures taken by an agent were the contents of the report. The report missed significant conditions in the home.

Settled a case in which the plaintiff brought property at foreclosure. All parties missed the first date of transfer, so surplus funds were released to the foreclosed-out owner. The buyer paid off first and sued to collect reimbursement from the borrower.

Parties owned three properties jointly for more than a decade and wished to separate their interests.

One party took title to property, with the loan in his name to facilitate purchase of a home by another party. They then turned title into tenancy in common. Initial facilitating party made no payment but received all the tax benefits. Paying party sued to transfer title solely to him as he now could obtain full financing.

93-year-old seller was in contract to sell his house when a "flipper" - approached by seller - offered with less money "all cash - quick close". When seller's agent didn't cancel prior sales contact, flipper sued.

Settled Case where lender filed NOTS while reviewing loan modification application but rescheduled it immediately after noticed by borrower of error.

Plaintiff bought a building but not business. Seller's certificate of occupancy was not final, but seller thought it was finalized. City didn't flag issue or follow up after buyer took ownership, city did not permit intended.

Settled a case in which a couple disputed rights to properties, five of which were in Mexico, along with disputes over personal property and vehicles.

Plaintiff neglected to pay rent on a regular basis. Landlord issued 3-day eviction notices every month on the second of the month to generate an eviction of the rent-controlled apartment. Tenant sued landlord for harassment. Case settled for $75,000.

Developer sought to purchase two sub dividable lots from seller but miscommunications cause the sale to fall through. In an action for specific performance, settlement resulted in re-negotiated deal suitable to all.

Arbitration award compromise amount was paid off through but written compromise negotiated by agent.

Seller did not tell buyer that remodel, including removal of load-bearing wall, was done without permits. Contractor was seller's friend, license suspended, and no written contract.

Former domestic partners owned property in joint tenancy. At the end of the relationship, one party returned to Mexico and made no contributions to mortgage or taxes. Remaining partner could not refinance or sell. Parties sued for partition and contribution.

Landlord failed to provide CC+Rs to tenant upon lease and failed to tell tenant that HOA enforced every detail of CC+Rs. After move-in, a landlord repeatedly visited tenant, sometimes entering the garage to talk to tenant about violations of rules.

Resolution of claims for failure to maintain habitability under §8 subsidized housing, wrongful eviction.

Resolution of real estate non-disclosure claims in purchase and sale of residence.

Resolution of Boundary dispute on a rural property and cattle grazing rights based upon interpretation of creek as boundary when creek's location moved over 50 years.

Resolution of wrongful foreclosure claims, failure of title company to note existing liens.

Resolution of breach of residential real estate purchase contract: fraud in the inducement, broker negligence, breach of fiduciary duty.

Resolution of claim of failure to pay commission after real estate purchase fell through.

Resolution of claim of fraud in real estate purchase, diversion of funds to Swiss bank accounts, and sale of nonexistent rights to property.

Resolution of claim of breach of commercial lease, failure to pay holdover rent or early termination fees.

Resolution of failure to complete conversion to Tenants In Common, breach of contract and fraud claims in purchase/sale of property.

Resolution of claims that subdivision map failed to disclose existence of creeks and water right-of-way, and that property was used by teenagers as night-time party spot, preventing large commercial developer from building access roads and having its construction project repeatedly vandalized.

Resolution of claims by HOA that owner was in violation of CCRs for inappropriate use of garage; claims of discrimination and harassment due to race.

Resolution of claims of failure to complete sale of real estate, despite existence of willing buyer; breach of contract; claim for commission.

Resolution of neighbor boundary dispute, claims of failure to redirect water away from lower property, use of shared driveway and existence of easement.