Real Estate & Construction Legal Services

Protecting Your Investment Through Thorough Investigation

Comprehensive title searches revealing complete ownership history and encumbrances. We examine 20+ years of chain of title through public registries and notarial archives. Advanced searches uncover hidden liens, judgments, and third-party claims. Recent investigation prevented $2M loss by discovering undisclosed mortgage. Our 500-point checklist ensures no stone unturned. Title reports include Risk Assessment and remediation recommendations.

20-Year Title Chain
Lien & Encumbrance Search
Ownership Verification
Title Insurance Coordination

Deep legal analysis beyond basic title review. We verify zoning compliance, building permits, environmental clearances, and regulatory approvals. Legal review includes litigation searches, administrative proceedings, and compliance violations. Contract analysis ensures all agreements transfer properly. Recent diligence identified illegal subdivision saving client from regulatory penalties. Comprehensive legal opinion provides clear go/no-go recommendation.

Zoning & Permit Verification
Litigation Search
Contract Review
Regulatory Compliance

Technical property evaluation complementing legal review. We coordinate surveys, environmental assessments, and engineering studies. Building inspections verify structural integrity and code compliance. Infrastructure analysis confirms utilities, access rights, and easements. Recent inspections discovered foundation issues enabling price reduction. Environmental Phase I assessments identify contamination risks. Complete physical review ensures no surprises post-closing.

Property Surveys
Environmental Assessment
Building Inspections
Infrastructure Analysis

Financial analysis validating investment assumptions and uncovering hidden costs. We verify property taxes, utility obligations, and assessment liens. Rental income validation through tenant interviews and payment history. Operating expense analysis identifies deferred maintenance and capital needs. Recent analysis revealed $500K in unpaid taxes enabling negotiated settlement. Pro forma validation ensures realistic return projections.

Tax Verification
Income Validation
Expense Analysis
Financial Projections

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Our Specialties

Our
Services

Colombian Title System

Understanding Property Registration

Colombia's property registration system provides strong ownership protection through centralized public registries. Every transaction requires notarization and registration creating clear title chains. The folio de matrícula inmobiliaria serves as definitive ownership record. However, registry information may lag actual transactions by 30-60 days. Professional title searches go beyond registry data examining notarial archives and court records to ensure complete accuracy.

Risk Identification Excellence

Uncovering Hidden Property Issues

Effective Due Diligence identifies risks before they become problems. Common issues include: informal possession claims, undisclosed easements, pending litigation, tax obligations, and environmental liabilities. We recently discovered 30-year-old inheritance dispute affecting title, enabling resolution before closing. Our systematic approach examines legal, physical, financial, and operational aspects. Early risk identification allows strategic resolution protecting investment value.

Title Insurance Solutions

Additional Protection for Your Investment

While Colombian title system is robust, title insurance provides additional protection for high-value transactions. International insurers offer policies covering ownership defects, fraud, and forgery. Coverage typically costs 0.5-1% of property value providing peace of mind. We coordinate with leading insurers ensuring appropriate coverage. Recent $10M transaction included title insurance discovering pre-existing claim during underwriting. Insurance complements but doesn't replace thorough Due Diligence.

Due Diligence FAQ

Essential Questions About Property Investigation

Standard Due Diligence requires 15-30 business days depending on property complexity. Simple residential properties complete in 15 days. Commercial properties with multiple tenants need 20-25 days. Large development sites or properties with title issues may require 30-45 days. Rush service available reducing timelines by 40% for urgent transactions. We provide preliminary findings within 5 days identifying major issues early. Parallel processing of legal, physical, and financial reviews maximizes efficiency.

Essential documents include: property deed (escritura), registration certificate (certificado de tradición), tax receipts (paz y salvo predial), utility bills, survey plans (planos), building permits, environmental licenses, and existing contracts. Seller should provide all leases, service agreements, and correspondence with authorities. Financial records including rent rolls and expense statements for income properties. Missing documents don't stop the process - we obtain public records independently.

Common issues include: incomplete succession proceedings leaving multiple heirs, unregistered possessory rights (posesión), boundary disputes with neighbors, unrecorded easements or rights of way, false property improvements (mejoras), and informal sales contracts (promesas). Coastal properties may have concession issues. Rural properties often have informal possession claims. Historic properties may have heritage restrictions. Early identification enables resolution strategies protecting buyers.

Due Diligence fees vary by property type and complexity. Basic residential review costs $1,500-3,000. Commercial property diligence ranges $5,000-15,000. Large development sites or portfolios priced individually. Fees include legal review, title search, registry certificates, and final report. Additional services like surveys, environmental assessments, or engineering studies priced separately. Investment in thorough diligence prevents costly surprises - typical ROI exceeds 10:1 through risk avoidance.

Yes, most Due Diligence work proceeds remotely using digital records and local representatives. Colombian registries increasingly offer online access. We conduct virtual property tours when travel isn't feasible. Local partners perform physical inspections following detailed protocols. Video conferences with sellers, tenants, and authorities replace in-person meetings. However, high-value transactions benefit from site visits. We accommodate international buyers through comprehensive remote diligence procedures ensuring thorough investigation regardless of location.

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