A concise guide to preventing and resolving common real estate legal issues, from zoning compliance and title insurance claims to easements and boundary disputes. Learn practical steps for due diligence, risk management, and when to involve professionals.

Real estate deals often stumble on land-use rules, outdated records, or unclear rights. Before signing, confirm local ordinances, permitted uses, and approvals; unresolved violations can halt permits, trigger fines, or derail financing. Thorough land-use due diligence should verify zoning-compliance with current and planned uses, check for nonconforming structures, and review variance or conditional-use histories. Ask for municipal code enforcement letters, obtain certificates of occupancy, and map setbacks and overlays that could limit development. Early coordination with planning staff and a zoning attorney prevents costly surprises.

Title problems can range from unpaid liens to missing releases or gaps in the chain of title. Order a full title search and policy, scrutinize exceptions, and clear curable defects before closing. If defects surface later, understand the timelines, notice requirements, and documentation needed for title-insurance-claims, and preserve communications with the carrier. Consider endorsements tailored to the deal (access, contiguity, zoning, environmental) and confirm that survey coverage aligns with the final, signed plat.

Conflicts over access, utilities, or shared driveways often arise from unclear grants or historical use. Accurate, current surveys and a close reading of deeds and plats are essential to prevent or resolve easement-disputes and property-boundary-conflicts. Practical solutions typically start with neighbor outreach and negotiation, followed by mediation if needed; when facts are contested, a quiet title or declaratory action may be appropriate. Record any settlement agreements, releases, or boundary line adjustments to ensure they bind successors.

To reduce risk across the life cycle of a property: assemble a diligence checklist and keep it updated; retain qualified counsel, a surveyor, and a title professional early; document all approvals, inspections, and payments; respond promptly to agency notices; and create a dispute-resolution playbook that prioritizes de-escalation before litigation. Clear files, proactive communication, and disciplined follow‑through will help you maintain compliance, protect value, and close transactions with confidence.