Real Estate Law
Experienced Real Estate Attorney – Licensed in Arizona & Texas
For more than 29 years, the Law Office of Nino Abate has helped buyers, sellers, investors, brokers, developers, and landlords navigate the legal side of Arizona real estate. We work on residential and commercial deals throughout Phoenix and the Greater Phoenix area — and when something goes sideways, we’re also the firm that handles the dispute.
Real estate is one of the largest financial decisions most people and businesses ever make. The contracts are dense, the disclosures are unforgiving, and a small oversight at the front end can turn into an expensive lawsuit at the back end. Our job is to make sure the front end is done right — and to fight for you if the back end goes wrong.
Residential Real Estate
Whether you’re buying your first home in Phoenix, selling a property anywhere in the Valley, or working through a complicated transaction involving an estate, a divorce, or an investment property, we make sure the paperwork actually protects you. We review purchase contracts and addenda, explain disclosure obligations under Arizona law, handle title issues, and step in when a deal hits a snag — financing problems, inspection disputes, appraisal gaps, or a seller refusing to close.
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial deals carry bigger numbers and bigger risks. We negotiate and draft purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, options, ground leases, and 1031 exchange documents. We handle due diligence on title, zoning, environmental conditions, and existing tenant rights, and we work alongside your broker, lender, and accountant to keep the closing on track.
Purchase & Sale Agreements
A well-drafted purchase agreement is the difference between a clean closing and a lawsuit. We draft custom agreements when the standard AAR forms aren’t enough, review and redline contracts presented to you, and negotiate the terms that actually matter — earnest money, contingencies, repair credits, seller carrybacks, and remedies on default.
Title Issues, Easements & Boundary Disputes
Title problems show up in the worst possible places — usually right before closing, or years later when you try to sell. We resolve title defects, clouds on title, undisclosed liens, easement disputes, encroachments, adverse possession claims, and boundary disagreements with neighbors. When negotiation doesn’t work, we bring quiet title actions to clean up ownership for good.
Landlord-Tenant & Lease Disputes
Whether you’re a landlord enforcing a lease, a tenant facing an eviction, or a commercial tenant in a dispute over CAM charges, build-out obligations, or holdover rent, we know Arizona’s landlord-tenant statutes inside and out and we handle these cases regularly.
HOA & CC&R Disputes
Arizona is HOA country, and disputes over enforcement, fines, architectural review, and CC&R interpretation are some of the most frustrating real estate issues homeowners face. We represent both individual owners and small associations — usually trying to resolve things short of litigation, but ready to litigate when that’s what it takes.
Construction, Zoning & Land Use
We assist developers and property owners with construction contracts, mechanic’s lien disputes, zoning approvals, variances, and land use entitlements. If you’re building, expanding, or fighting a permit denial, we can help.
Real Estate Litigation
When a deal falls apart or a claim has to be filed, we litigate. Our civil litigation practice handles real estate disputes in state and federal court, including breach of purchase agreements, fraud and non-disclosure claims, specific performance, broker liability, partition actions, and quiet title. Twenty-five years of trial-tested experience means we know how Arizona courts actually decide these cases — not just how the statutes read on paper.
How We Work
Real estate is rarely just real estate. Most of our clients also have business law questions — entity structuring for an investment property, partnership agreements between co-investors, contracts with property managers — and we handle those too. (See our business law practice for more.) Working with one firm that understands both sides keeps things efficient and consistent.
We’re known for being responsive, direct, and creative in finding solutions that fit each client. We’ll tell you when a deal is worth fighting for and when it isn’t. And we’ll always give you a clear picture of the cost-benefit before we make a move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a real estate attorney for a standard home purchase in Arizona?
Arizona doesn’t legally require an attorney to close a residential transaction — a title company can handle the paperwork. But standard form contracts don’t cover unusual situations, and once you sign you’re locked in. If anything about your transaction is non-standard — an estate sale, an investment property, a contingency you care about, an HOA issue, a seller behaving oddly — having an attorney review the contract before you sign is cheap insurance.
What does Arizona’s seller disclosure law actually require?
Arizona requires residential sellers to complete a Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) covering everything from known defects to easements, prior repairs, and HOA information. Failing to disclose known material facts can support a fraud or rescission claim after closing. We routinely help both buyers (pursuing claims) and sellers (defending claims) on disclosure issues.
Can you help with a real estate dispute even if you didn’t handle the original transaction?
Yes. We’re often brought in after the deal closes — when a defect is discovered, a title problem surfaces, or a neighbor files a claim. Bring us the contract, the disclosures, and any correspondence, and we’ll give you an honest read on your options.
Do you handle commercial real estate?
Yes. We work on commercial purchases and sales, leasing, build-to-suit deals, 1031 exchanges, and commercial real estate disputes throughout Arizona.
Where do you take cases?
We take real estate matters anywhere in Arizona. Most of our clients are in Phoenix and Maricopa County (including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, and Fountain Hills), but we’ve handled deals and disputes statewide and are also licensed in Texas.
Talk to a Phoenix Real Estate Attorney
Whether you’re about to sign a contract, mid-deal, or already in a dispute, the earlier we get involved, the more options you have. Contact us to schedule a consultation about your real estate matter.