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Guide to Georgia Real Property Law

Get help to understand Georgia real property tax law

By Shannon Tani

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Real estate law in Georgia can be difficult to navigate and many business owners find that they feel much more comfortable when they are working with a qualified Georgia real estate attorney.

There are many ways that real property law in Georgia can affect business owners. For example, zoning laws dictate what types of activities you can do on a particular property. If you purchase a property that the city has not zoned for what you want to do, you could be out of luck. Georgia real estate lawyers ensure that this doesn't happen.

There are some things to think about before speaking with a Georgia real estate law firm:

1. Hiring someone that knows about Georgia real property law is a good idea when purchasing property or signing rental agreements. Your lawyer will draw up contracts that reflect your best interest. If you use the other party's lawyer, you may not get the best deal.

2. You can save money by hiring Georgia real property attorneys that work on a per-hour, as-needed basis.

3. Make sure to hire a lawyer that specializes in your industry. Georgia real estate law can be broken down into industrial, commercial and agricultural areas.

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Hire a Georgia real estate attorney to handle your major transactions

It's especially important to have a real estate lawyer when you are purchasing or selling property. A good lawyer will write the appropriate contracts so that everything occurs within the boundaries of the law. This protects you from legal action later on.

I recommend: Lawyers.com lists real estate lawyers in Georgia by county. You can also search for qualified lawyers through the Georgia State Bar.

Understand the property insurance required by GA real estate laws

Real estate laws state that all property owners should maintain a minimum level of insurance. As a business owner, you may want to purchase property damage insurance, public liability insurance and rent interruption insurance.

I recommend: Learn about the state requirements through the Georgia Department of Administrative Services. Then, purchase property insurance through Heritage Insurance House so that you are compliant with the law.

Find a tax lawyer that understands Georgia real property law

Taxes are more complicated as you become a property owner because there are many Georgia real estate laws that pertain to property taxes. A good tax lawyer will help you understand what you need to pay, when you need to pay it and any discounts that you may get from the state and federal government for being a property owner.

I recommend: The lawyers at Bomar & Phipps, LLC can help you with tax planning. Jeff Fouts is another tax attorney in Georgia.

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