Real Estate Law Flashcards
Chapter 1
Sources of Law
Federal (Constitution, legislative actions, boards and commissions) ; State (Constitution, legislative actions, ordinances by cities, towns and other local governments) ; court decisions
Common Law
The body of rules and principles founded on custom, usage, and court decisions derived from English Law
Land
“basis of all wealth”. Refers to the earth’s surface, the subsurface to the center of the earth, and the air above it to infinity. It is natural, and includes trees & water. There are 3 lots : surface lot, air lot, and subsurface lot.
Real Estate
Land plus improvements or artificial things permanently attached by man. Improvements are tangible items that have substance and attaches to or transfers with the real estate.
Improvements
Corporeal Appurtenances; any structure usually privately owned, erected on a site to enhance the value of the property. Can also be a publilcy owned structure added to or benefiting the land (sidewalk).
Real Property
Real Estate plus the bundle of legal rights.
Bundle of Legal Rights
included in real property, this includes, possession, control, enjoyment, exclusion, and disposition. They can be acquired or relinquished separately.
Appurtenance
a right, privilege, or an item that is associated with property and passes with the land. Examples: easements, parking spaces, water rights, docks, etc.
P.E.T.E
Governmental Limitations: Police Power, Eminent Domain, Taxation, Escheat
Police Power
The power of the local, state, and federal government to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Such as: environmental laws, building codes, zoning ordinances, license law, city planning.
Eminent Domain
The “right” of the government to take private property for public use. The processes used to exercise that right is called condemnation. The property must be utilized for public benefit and just compensation is to be paid to the owner. the owner is protected by due process and can challenge the governments action.
Taxation
A charge on real estate to fund the government. If taxes are not paid, the property may be sold at a tax sale to satisfy that delinquent tax bill. (property tax)
Escheat
When a person dies leaving no valid will (intestate) and no heirs, the real estate will revert to the state. Later, the property is usually sold at auction by the county to the highest bidder
Real Estate vs. Personal Property
Real Estate is characterized by “permanence”, where as personal property is characterized by “mobility”. Ownership of real estate is by a deed, and personal property is transferred by a bill of sale. Real property can be converted to personal property by “severance”
Emblements
Growing crops, such as corn or wheat that are produced annually through labor and industry. These are not usually transferred with real property, unless otherwise state in the contract.
Personal Property
Chattel or personalty that includes such thing like furniture, clothing, items that are mobile. It can become real property by attachment. (Think of buying a vanity, then installing it and attaching it in the bathroom).
Fixture
an article that was once personal property but has been affixed to the land or a building and is now considered to be real property.
Trade Fixtures/Chattel Fixtures
articles installed by a tenant under the term of a lease that are removable by the tenant before the lease expires. They are personal property and are no true fixtures (barbers chair).
Tests of a Fixture
- Intention and Relationship of the parties 2. Adaptation to Real Estate 3. Method of Annexation 4. Agreement
Riparian Rights
granted to the owners of properties located on rivers, streams or lakes. Navigable waters are public waterways. Property line is usually the waters edge or mean high watermark. In non-navigable waters, the property line extends to the center of the water way.
Water Rights “run with the land”
Littoral Rights
accrue to owners whose land borders large navigable lakes or oceans. The high water mark separates private and public property. Water rights “run with the land”
Means of Natural Alienation
Can increase or decrease the amount of property an owner owns; 1. Accretion, 2. Alluvion, 3. Reliction, 4. Erosion, 5. Avulsion
Accretion
The gradual buildup of land due to natural soil deposits
Alluvion
accumulation of land built up by soil depositions
Reliction
gaining of land because of receding water which uncovers the soil