Real Estate
Zoning and Land Use
Real Estate Litigation and Transactions.
Commercial & Residential
Acquisitions & Dispositions
Landlord & Tenant
Zoning & Land Use
Michigan
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Real Property Transactions.
Real property transactions carry significant financial and legal risk at every stage — from letter of intent through closing and beyond.
Zamzow Fabian handles both commercial and residential matters, including purchase agreements, financing documents, title review, and post-closing obligations.
Involving counsel early in a transaction is not just advisable — the earlier an attorney is engaged, the more leverage there is to protect the client's position before terms are set.
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Full Scope of Michigan Real Property.
The firm handles the full range of Michigan real property matters.
Condominium work — for developers structuring projects and buyers reviewing purchase agreements — is a regular part of the practice.
Zoning matters, including petitions to the board of appeals for special uses and variances, are handled where the property goals require it.
Michigan water rights, particularly in lakefront and tourist-area properties, are less frequently litigated than in western states but can become contentious — understanding the applicable law before a dispute arises is the right approach.
The firm also handles mineral and hydrocarbon leases on a selective basis, advising landowners on the long-term implications of lease terms and negotiating where the transaction warrants it.
For development projects involving investor capital, the firm coordinates with securities counsel on SEC-related obligations as needed.
Commercial Real Estate Finance.
Commercial property is typically acquired through a combination of equity and debt — joint ventures, institutional mortgage financing, mezzanine debt, or some combination. Each structure carries its own legal requirements: formation and governance documents for JV entities, loan agreements and security instruments for lenders, and compliance obligations that vary by institution and deal type.
Getting the structure right at the outset matters. Financing documents that do not comply with lender requirements, or entity structures that cannot be modified to satisfy them, create delays and costs at closing that are avoidable with proper legal review early in the transaction. The firm reviews and drafts these documents with an eye on both the current transaction and the practical flexibility the client will need going forward.
Real Estate Acquisition and Disposition.
Every real estate transaction — commercial or residential, purchase or sale — has the same basic risk: terms agreed to early are difficult to undo later. The letter of intent, the purchase agreement, the title commitment, and the closing documents each represent an opportunity to protect the client's position or a risk of loss if they are not reviewed carefully.
Attorney involvement from the beginning of a transaction is more effective than involvement at the end. By the time a client presents a signed purchase agreement for review, many of the most important terms are already set. Earlier engagement means the attorney negotiates the agreement, not just reviews it — a meaningful difference in outcome.
The firm handles acquisitions and dispositions for both commercial and residential clients, including review and drafting of letters of intent, purchase agreements, title and survey review, lending documents, and closing coordination.
Real Estate Development.
Development projects require legal support at each phase, and the legal issues at each phase are distinct. Acquisition involves purchase agreements, title review, and due diligence. Financing involves entity structuring, lender documentation, and compliance with approval conditions. Development involves easements, plat approvals, and ongoing regulatory obligations. Each phase builds on the last, and problems left unresolved in an earlier phase routinely surface as larger problems in a later one.
The firm handles the legal work across the development cycle: property evaluation and acquisition, entity formation and governance, lender documentation and approval coordination, and post-closing matters including foreclosures on future advance loans and review of entity structures prior to lender approval. The firm does not provide construction services, but works alongside project teams to ensure the legal side of the project is current at every stage.
Landlord and Tenant Law.
Property management in Michigan is more heavily regulated than many owners realize. Most leasing agents must be licensed; most property management firms are required to employ a licensed real estate broker. These requirements affect how management agreements are structured and what obligations attach to the management relationship.
The lease is the most important document in the landlord-tenant relationship. A well-drafted lease fits within Michigan's statutory framework, sets out clear notice and cure procedures, minimizes the defenses available to a non-paying or non-performing tenant, and positions the landlord for an efficient eviction if one becomes necessary. A poorly drafted lease does the opposite — delays the process and creates defenses that did not need to exist.
The firm drafts and reviews commercial and residential leases, advises on compliance with Michigan landlord-tenant law, and handles eviction proceedings. Reduced-rate evictions are available for regular clients with ongoing management work.