Robert Rafii, Esq.
Latest Articles
Easements
An easement is a right-of-way over real estate. For example, public utility companies that have pipes and power lines running through a piece of land have easement rights to physically run those utilities through private and public property. The parties to an easement are the dominant estate, who gains the… Read More
Property Development and Construction
Property development and its lengthy construction process can involve complicated laws. People in the real estate development process are chasing investment opportunities. But every successful developer knows they’ll also have to deal with: Zoning laws and building permits Civil engineers, inspectors, and other professionals Lenders, banks, and development finance Real… Read More
Water and Riparian Rights
Historical records of court decisions have shaped how riparian water rights are divided between landowners who have real estate on or around bodies of water. Riparian rights let property owners make reasonable use of the water that touches or flows through their properties. For example, owners of waterfront… Read More
Homeowners Associations (HOAs)
A homeowners association (HOA) is like a small government for a condominium building or subdivision of homes. It has an elected board of directors who create and enforce rules for the homeowners who live there. HOA boards also handle upkeep for common areas like hallways, the roof, stairways,… Read More
Neighbor Disputes
Neighbors get into all kinds of disputes with one another. We’re all people after all — and problems are bound to flare up when people are around each other long enough. But neighbor disputes don’t have to be dramatic. As a tenant or homeowner, you can appeal to your… Read More
Real Estate Short Sales
A short sale occurs when a distressed homeowner offers to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage. This usually occurs when owners are unable to make mortgage payments to their lenders. If you’re in the market for a short sale home or your house is in… Read More
Criminal Prosecution for Nursing Home Abuse
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is more common than people suspect. We all want our elderly family members and loved ones to be safe not just from neglect, but also from being mistreated in a manner that can rise to criminal charges for elder abuse. Nursing home residents have been known… Read More
Commercial Real Estate
Real estate generally falls into two categories: residential and commercial. Commercial real estate refers to locations that are used for business purposes. Common commercial property types include: Commercial space used by small business owners Malls and shopping centers Retail storefronts and warehouses Office buildings, rooms, or units Data centers, small… Read More
Adverse Possession
Adverse possession is a legal principle in real estate law that allows a squatter to take legal title over a parcel of land after a certain period of time. In other words, an adverse possessor (squatter) can take the property rights of the property’s actual owner even though the squatter… Read More
What To Do If Your Parent Is a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse
Proper care for your older parents is important to ensure that they will have a good quality of life at the nursing facility. However, if you are worried that your family members have been subjected to mistreatment by nursing home staff or by caregivers at a long-term care facility,… Read More
