Buyer’s Disapproval Notice in AIR CRE Purchase Agreements

In a real estate purchase transaction, when the due diligence period is winding down, Buyer has a decision.  Typically, the decision is to: (1) waive contingencies and proceed with the purchase, or (2) disapprove of the contingencies, terminate the transaction, and obtain a refund of the deposit.  The AIR CRE Purchase Agreement provides Buyer with [...]

After Waiver of Contingencies, is Buyer’s Deposit Ever Refundable?

After an AIR CRE purchase agreement is signed, Buyer commences its due diligence.  If Buyer is satisfied with its inspections, Buyer may waive Buyer’s Contingencies, and proceed with the transaction.  Once Buyer’s Contingencies have been waived, Buyer’s Deposit is often described as “non-refundable.” Question: After waiver of Buyer’s Contingencies, is Buyer’s Deposit ever refundable? Short [...]

Mixed-Use Properties are Partly Exempt From Prop. 15

In general, Prop. 15 requires commercial properties to be re-assessed to market value, but excludes residential properties from re-assessment.  Mixed-use properties are unique in that they are used for both commercial and residential purposes. Question: Will mixed-use properties be re-assessed to market value if Prop. 15 passes? Short Answer: There are three key rules for [...]

Many Owner-Users To Pay Increased Property Taxes Under Prop. 15

Background on Prop. 15: On November 3, 2020, California voters will decide whether to adopt the “Split Roll” Initiative, Prop. 15.  If passed, many commercial and industrial properties would lose “Prop. 13 protection,” and would be re-assessed and taxed based upon market value.Properties can be reassessed as early as the July 1, 2022 – June [...]

California’s Controversial “Split Roll” Initiative (Prop. 15): The Basics

The “Split Roll” Initiative recently qualified for the November 2020 ballot, and is numbered Proposition 15.  If passed, many commercial and industrial property owners would lose their “Prop. 13 protection,” and their properties would then be assessed at market value. This article is the first in a multi-part series discussing Prop. 15.  In this first [...]

Modifications to the AIR Purchase Agreement (Part 3)

After you sell a property, do you want to ensure that the buyer does not make a claim against you?  Part 3 of this series discusses the most effective modifications Sellers make to the AIR purchase agreement to avoid (or limit) post-Closing claims by Buyers. “Cap” on Liability: Many custom purchase agreements will include a [...]

Think Twice Before You Click “Send” – AIR Allows Notices By E-mail

Could a quick e-mail from a Buyer’s broker to a Seller’s broker stating “Buyer finds the environmental report unacceptable” accidentally terminate a purchase and sale agreement? Could an e-mail from a tenant's broker to a landlord's broker stating "tenant is going to exercise the option” be an unintentional exercise of an AIR option to extend [...]

Modifications to the AIR Purchase Agreement (Part 2)

In Part 1 of Modifications to the AIR Purchase Agreement, I discussed four areas of the AIR purchase agreement that Sellers frequently modify. Part 2 focuses on perhaps the greatest area of liability to Seller after the Closing – Seller’s 12 representations and warranties that it makes to Buyer. Paragraph 12.1 of the AIR purchase [...]