Real Estate Law DegreeWhat is it and is it for You?Are you considering a real estate law degree? Do you have interest in commercial real estate law, purchasing, management, leasing and selling of real estate? If so, a real estate law program may be just for you. What is a Real Estate Law Degree? The practice of real estate law has undergone major changes in the past 20 years. Today, real estate lawyers work in varied and complex transactions, from simple residential house purchases to commercial projects. This degree is a mix of law, business and dispute resolution. It will prepare you to deal with issues beyond law school, understanding how law interacts with tax, corporate, and environmental law. You will be faced with issues such as workforce housing, urban redevelopment, commercial leasing, real estate workouts, and energy conservation. It will prepare you to deal with transactions when real estate is booming and when it is not. What can I do with a Real Estate Law Degree? Real estate lawyers provide their clients with advice regarding purchase and sale of property, financing and development, construction contracts, real estate investments, environmental compliance and property management. They help clients with governmental zoning restrictions necessary to move forward with real estate projects. As a real estate lawyer you could work in law firms, corporations as well as government agencies. You could work in real estate departments in large firms, in the building and zoning departments of counties and municipalities. You could also work for corporations, real estate development companies or title companies. If you decide to work alone or in a very small company you will most likely focus on residential real estate. As a real estate lawyer you will work together with title insurers, real state brokers, environmental lawyers, litigation departments and bankers. In this profession you would spend much of your day drafting documents, reviewing them, counseling clients as well as negotiating terms. A business law foundation as well as negotiation skills are critical for success in this area of the law. Real Estate Law Courses Most students begin their study with a basic introductory course, real estate transactions and finance. Following this entrance course, as a student of real estate law you would be exposed to courses in real estate finance, mortgages, mezzanine loans, bond financing, real estate leasing, acquisitions, mortgage foreclosures and community association law.
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