Real Estate Law in New York
Residential, commercial, investment, and development transactions.
Track Record
$800M+
in residential and commercial real estate transactions closed
Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, awarded 2020–2026 consecutively
Featured Adviser
Nolo’s Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home (9th edition)
Lead Attorney
Zixian Qi, Esq.
Real Estate & Landlord Tenant
ARAG® Legal Insurance Accepted — Eligible matters may be covered or offered at reduced rates under your ARAG plan. Contact our office to confirm coverage.
Real estate transactions are among the most significant financial decisions individuals, families, and businesses make.
From first-time home purchases to complex commercial acquisitions, each transaction carries meaningful legal and financial consequences.
Zixian Qi leads Alpha Law’s real estate practice. Our approach focuses on identifying risks before they become problems, protecting client interests, and moving transactions efficiently toward successful completion.
Areas We Serve
New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island) • Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk County) • Hudson Valley and Upstate New York (Westchester County and surrounding areas)
We represent buyers, sellers, investors, developers, landlords, tenants, and businesses in real estate transactions of all sizes throughout the New York metropolitan region.
Scope of Services
Residential Real Estate
- Single-family purchases and sales
- Cooperative (co-op) transactions
- Condominium purchases and sales
- New construction purchases and sales
- Townhouse and multifamily purchases and sales
- Mortgage financing and refinancing
- Title review and issue resolution
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Closing representation
- Estate and trust property transfers
- Gift transfers and family conveyances
Commercial Real Estate
- Office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use acquisitions and dispositions
- Commercial leasing, lease negotiation and review
- Sale-leaseback transactions
- Real estate financing and loan documentation
- Due diligence investigations
- Property portfolio acquisitions
- Development and redevelopment projects
- Commercial landlord and tenant matters
Real Estate Investment
- Investment property acquisitions
- 1031 exchange transactions
- Multifamily property purchases
- Portfolio transactions
- Joint ownership structures
- LLC and entity formation for real estate holdings
Development
- Site acquisition
- Development agreements
- Land use and zoning review
- Construction and contractor agreements
- Joint venture arrangements
- Project financing support
- Condominium and mixed-use development transactions
Ancillary Matters
- Easements and access agreements
- Boundary and title issues
- Property transfer tax considerations
- Real estate aspects of mergers and acquisitions
- Due diligence and risk assessments
Selected Transactions & Matters
Residential
Residential transactions from first-time homebuyers to luxury condominium closings throughout New York City and Long Island
Commercial
Commercial acquisitions, dispositions, and lease negotiations for investors and business tenants
Investment
Real estate investment structuring through LLCs and other ownership entities, including 1031 exchanges
Cross-Border
Cross-border transactions for foreign investors and non-U.S. buyers acquiring New York property
Development
Development and redevelopment projects involving multiple parcels, financing sources, and regulatory review
Frequently Asked Questions
R
Residential
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy or sell a home in New York?
Real estate attorneys are customarily involved in New York residential transactions from contract through closing. Although not required by state law, legal representation is standard practice and strongly recommended.
When should I hire a real estate attorney?
In New York, attorneys typically become involved immediately after an offer is accepted and before contracts are signed. Early involvement helps identify issues and protect your interests throughout the transaction.
What is included in a real estate closing?
A closing generally includes execution of final documents, transfer of ownership, lender funding (if applicable), payment of taxes and fees, and recording of necessary documents.
What is the difference between a co-op and a condominium?
With a condominium, buyers own the real property itself. In a co-op, buyers purchase shares in a corporation that owns the building and receive a proprietary lease for the unit. Co-op transactions often involve additional board approval requirements.
What title issues can delay a transaction?
Common issues include liens, judgments, unpaid taxes, boundary disputes, missing documents in the chain of title, and unresolved ownership interests.
Can I back out of a transaction after signing a contract?
Whether a buyer or seller may terminate depends on the specific contract terms and circumstances. Legal consequences can arise if a party improperly withdraws from a signed agreement.
What is a mortgage contingency?
A mortgage contingency allows a buyer to cancel the transaction without forfeiting the contract deposit if financing cannot be secured within a specified period. The contingency helps protect buyers from being obligated to complete a purchase when financing cannot be secured. Whether this provision is included, waived, or modified carries significant legal and financial consequences — buyers should review it carefully before signing.
Can a foreigner buy or sell real estate in New York?
Yes. In general, foreign individuals, foreign corporations, and other non-U.S. entities are permitted to purchase, own, and sell real property in New York State. Foreign buyers may acquire residential, commercial, and investment properties, subject to the same property laws that apply to U.S. citizens and residents.
However, foreign purchasers and sellers should be aware of additional legal, tax, financing, and reporting considerations that may arise. These may include ownership structure planning, federal and state tax obligations, withholding requirements under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA), lender requirements, and compliance with applicable reporting regulations.
Because cross-border real estate transactions can involve unique legal and financial issues, foreign investors and property owners are encouraged to seek legal counsel before entering into a transaction.
C
Commercial
What should I look for in a commercial lease?
Key provisions include rent commencement and escalation clauses, maintenance obligations, permitted use restrictions, assignment rights, renewal options, default provisions, and personal guaranty requirements.
What due diligence should be performed before purchasing commercial property?
Due diligence typically includes review of title, surveys, zoning compliance, environmental conditions, leases, operating expenses, property condition, and regulatory compliance.
What is a personal guaranty?
An agreement under which an individual becomes personally responsible for certain obligations of a business tenant or borrower if the business fails to perform.
What is a Good Guy Guaranty?
A Good Guy Guaranty (GGG) is a limited personal guaranty common in New York commercial leases. The guarantor is personally responsible for lease obligations until the tenant properly vacates and surrenders possession. Liability is generally limited once the tenant has vacated — but the exact scope depends on the specific lease language. Tenants should carefully review and negotiate these provisions before signing. See also: Landlord & Tenant — Commercial FAQs.
How long does a commercial real estate transaction take?
Timing varies depending on financing, due diligence, title matters, and transaction complexity. Commercial transactions generally take longer than residential closings.
What zoning issues can affect a property?
Zoning regulations may impact permitted uses, redevelopment opportunities, occupancy limits, parking requirements, building size, and future expansion plans.
I
Investment
Should I buy investment property in my individual name or through an LLC?
Many investors use LLCs for liability protection and management purposes. The optimal structure depends on investment goals, financing requirements, tax considerations, and ownership arrangements.
What is a 1031 exchange?
A Section 1031 exchange may allow investors to defer certain capital gains taxes by exchanging qualifying investment property for other qualifying investment property, subject to strict IRS requirements.
What are common risks for real estate investors?
Common concerns include financing challenges, title defects, zoning restrictions, environmental liabilities, tenant issues, market fluctuations, and unexpected operating expenses.
Why Clients Choose Us
01
Deep New York Experience
across New York residential, commercial, investment, and development transactions.
02
Local Market Familiarity
with New York City co-op, condominium, and rent-regulated property requirements.
03
Practical, Transaction-Focused
with efficient closing coordination.
04
Responsive Throughout
Responsive communication from contract through closing.
05
Multilingual & Cross-Border Capability
regularly represent international and foreign-national clients.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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Ready to Move Forward?
Contact us to discuss your real estate matter.