Real Estate Attorney in Johns Creek, GA

A Johns Creek purchase is recorded in Fulton County, is subject to Georgia's real estate transfer tax ($1 per $1,000 of value), and must be closed by a Georgia-licensed attorney. Key due diligence items specific to Johns Creek include: reviewing any homeowners association documents and pending special assessments (virtually every Johns Creek community has an HOA); confirming school district assignment (Johns Creek falls within Fulton County Schools, and specific school assignments vary by neighborhood); and verifying that any additions or improvements to the property were permitted through the City of Johns Creek Development Services. GA Law Group conducts the title examination, reviews HOA documents, and represents Johns Creek buyers at closing.

Georgia requires an attorney to certify title and conduct the closing, so a real estate attorney is part of every closing in Johns Creek regardless of whether you are the buyer or seller. The question is whose attorney. In most financed Georgia residential transactions, the closing attorney represents the buyer's lender. As a seller, you can have your own attorney, independent of the closing attorney, and in a high-value transaction it is worth having someone review the contract, advise on contingencies, and represent you at closing. We represent Johns Creek sellers as their own counsel, separate from the closing attorney retained by the buyer's lender.

Johns Creek investment property owners face several distinct legal considerations. First, many rentals are in HOA communities that restrict rentals through caps, minimum lease terms, or tenant approval. Violating HOA rental restrictions can expose you to significant fines. Second, Georgia landlord-tenant law governs your leases, security deposits, and evictions, which are filed in Fulton County Magistrate Court. Third, if you are renting a property near a protected stream buffer or in an area with City of Johns Creek overlay district regulations, use restrictions may apply. GA Law Group advises Johns Creek investment property owners on all of these issues.