Being safe with your real estate lawyer
As with other types of deals, doing business in real estate can be tricky simply because of the different styles of contracts, the assets involved, and the various clauses and contingencies. To protect yourself, you want a real estate lawyer on your side to review all documents and guidelines.
Having a lawyer involved when dealing with real estate is the best way to make sure you are getting the deal you expect, and to put contingencies in place that protect your interests, your liability and your assets.
Things this practice gets involved with
- Due diligence
- Financing
- Mortgage approval
- Contracts
- Title matters
- Inspections
- Closings
- Co-op approval
Matters handled include
- Sales
- Purchases
- Leasing and other transfers of real estate and real property
- Title to real property
- Landlord/tenant issues
- Property development
- Settlement of claims against property rights
- Zoning and land use
- Financing, mortgages, and foreclosures
- Real estate investments and related matters
Filing in New York City
Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens record property documents with the Office of the City Register through ACRIS. Staten Island records with the Richmond County Clerk instead.
Co-op and condo purchases dominate much of the city market, and they are legally different transactions. A condo is real property; a co-op is shares plus a proprietary lease, with a board that can decline a buyer.
New York City Real Estate Lawyer — common questions
Does the same recording office cover all five boroughs?
No. Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens record with the Office of the City Register through ACRIS. Staten Island records with the Richmond County Clerk instead.
What is the difference between buying a co-op and a condo?
A condo is real property with a deed. A co-op is shares in a corporation plus a proprietary lease, which brings board approval and, usually, an interview. They are legally different transactions with different risks and different closing costs.
What transfer taxes apply to a New York City sale?
New York City Real Property Transfer Tax and New York State transfer tax, with a mansion tax on residential sales at or above a threshold price. The rates depend on price and property type, and allocation between buyer and seller is partly negotiated.
The answers above are general information about practising real estate law in New York City, not legal advice, and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Court locations and filing offices are stated as of 2026; confirm current details with the court before relying on them.
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