United States: Real Estate and Construction

California's new Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act (AB 1751) establishes a streamlined ministerial approval process for townhome developments of up to 150 units, bypassing traditional CEQA review and public hearings. The legislation targets the "missing middle" housing market with specific requirements for unit size, density, affordability, and site criteria. Effective January 2027, this law could significantly accelerate townhome project entitlements throughout California, excluding San Francisco.

A California appellate court ruled that homeowners who built an unpermitted retaining wall encroaching on their neighbor's property cannot claim a prescriptive easement because the structure constitutes an abatable public nuisance. The decision reinforces that courts will not allow property rights to arise from code violations and unpermitted construction, even when maintained openly for years.

California voters will soon decide on Proposition 45, the Building an Affordable California Act (BACA), which promises to revolutionize CEQA environmental review for essential projects including housing, infrastructure, and renewable energy developments. The initiative would establish vested CEQA standards, accelerated review timelines, and significantly reduced litigation risks for qualifying projects. Will this landmark reform provide the certainty developers need, or will ambiguities in its broad provisi

Purchasing a residential property with existing tenants requires careful attention to lease agreements, possession rights, and financing requirements. Understanding how tenant occupancy affects closing timelines, security deposits, and the buyer's ability to occupy or use the property can prevent costly surprises and legal complications during the transaction process.

It’s an uncomfortable topic, but it also creates immediate legal and financial questions for surviving family members, sellers, lenders, and real estate professionals.

Recent amendments to Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15 have significantly changed how Massachusetts law yers must handle unclaimed and unidentified funds held in IOLTA accounts.

A revocable living trust (sometimes called a revocable inter vivos trust) is a legal arrangement you create during your lifetime to hold legal title to your assets.

Jennifer D'Amato explores the critical techniques and strategies available under Wisconsin law for post-death estate administration, examining how legal professionals can help families minimize costs, delays, and conflicts during the probate process. The article provides practical guidance on navigating the various administration options available in Wisconsin's aging population landscape.

Leaving real estate to heirs through a will or a revocable trust has long been standard practice in estate planning. Many clients expect to pass along the home they have lived in for years...

The federal Opportunity Zone program has been made permanent through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introducing significant changes to tax deferral rules, census tract designations, and investment incentives. Understanding how Opportunity Zones 2.0 differs from the original program is critical for business owners, investors, and real estate developers planning transactions in 2026 and beyond.

The Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island convened industry professionals for their annual State of the Market panel discussion, examining current trends across office, industrial, retail, and investment sales sectors. Moderated by Real Estate and Economic Development Partner Peter Curry, the discussion revealed emerging market dynamics and evolving property uses that are shaping Long Island's commercial real estate landscape.

California's new Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act (AB 1751) establishes a streamlined ministerial approval process for townhome developments of up to 150 units, bypassing traditional CEQA review and public hearings. The legislation targets the "missing middle" housing market with specific requirements for unit size, density, affordability, and site criteria. Effective January 2027, this law could significantly accelerate townhome project entitlements throughout California, excluding San Francisco.