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Real estate

California Real Estate Attorneys

Purchase and sale contracts, FSBO deals, title and boundary disputes, easements, land use, and Prop 19 strategy. Serving the SF Bay Area, Sacramento, and statewide.

What's at stake

You worked too hard for what you own to leave it exposed.

California real estate is rarely just paperwork. It is years of saved income, decisions made across decades, land you intend to leave to the next generation. The legal work has to match the stakes.

Corcoran Smith Law's California real estate attorneys handle property transactions, title and boundary issues, commercial lease review, land use questions, and ownership disputes statewide, with one consistent purpose: protecting and enhancing what you own.

We do not handle landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, unlawful detainer actions, habitability claims, security deposit disputes, or tenant defense. Our real estate work is focused on transactions, ownership, title, access, and property-transfer strategy.

Best fit matters

Real estate work we are built to handle

We represent California buyers, sellers, property owners, trustees, executors, and families in matters involving contracts, title issues, ownership disputes, transfers, and related real estate concerns.

  • Buying or selling California property

    Contract review, contingencies, disclosures, escrow questions, seller financing, unusual deal terms, and attorney support through closing.

  • FSBO or off-market deals

    Purchase agreements, counteroffers, due diligence, title review, and closing coordination when a buyer or seller wants legal counsel instead of full broker representation.

  • Trust, probate, or inherited real estate

    Real estate sales involving trustees, executors, beneficiaries, inherited property, family buyouts, and estate-plan coordination.

  • Boundary, title, or easement problems

    Access disputes, encroachments, unclear title, recorded easements, neighbor conflicts, co-owner issues, and partition risk analysis.

  • Commercial lease or owner-side lease review

    Preventative drafting and review for property owners, operators, and businesses entering leases. We do not handle eviction or unlawful detainer matters.

  • Prop 19 and property tax planning

    Strategy for families transferring California real estate, evaluating reassessment risk, and coordinating real property with trusts and estate plans.

What we do

Real estate transactions, disputes, and land use across California.

  • Purchase and Sale Contract Review

    We draft, review, and negotiate California purchase agreements, counteroffers, addenda, disclosures, contingencies, and closing documents for residential and commercial transactions.

  • For Sale By Owner Transactions

    For buyers and sellers who do not need a traditional broker, we provide attorney-led transaction counsel from offer structure through escrow and closing.

  • Title, Boundary, and Easement Issues

    We help owners evaluate title defects, boundary conflicts, easements, access problems, neighbor disputes, and co-owner issues before they become expensive litigation.

  • Land Use, Zoning, and Prop 19 Strategy

    We advise property owners on land use questions, zoning and permitting concerns, short-term rental compliance, and Prop 19 planning for California real estate.

Risk review

Where California real estate deals go wrong

The legal value is often in preventing a preventable dispute. We review real estate documents with litigation consequences in mind.

Disclosure problems
California sellers face detailed disclosure obligations. We help identify risk before a buyer claims a defect, omission, or misrepresentation after closing.
Contingency and escrow deadlines
Financing, inspection, appraisal, title, and sale-of-property contingencies need clear deadlines and consequences. Vague terms create leverage for the wrong side.
Title and deed issues
A deed, easement, lien, vesting problem, or title exception can change what is being bought or sold. We review the documents before the problem becomes permanent.
Co-owner and family property conflicts
Inherited property, sibling co-ownership, buyouts, and partition risk require both transaction planning and litigation awareness.

Attorney-led

Real estate counsel backed by contract and litigation judgment

Real estate problems are document problems before they become court problems. The attorneys on this team come from military command, law enforcement and investigation, and crisis counseling. Their backgrounds provide a level of preparation, composure, and strategic thinking that few firms can match.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about California real estate law

  • Do I need a real estate attorney to sell my home in California?

    California does not legally require a real estate attorney for residential sales, but for-sale-by-owner transactions, contested titles, multi-party deals, trust or probate sales, and unusual financing routinely benefit from one. A California real estate attorney drafts and reviews contracts, manages contingencies, addresses title and boundary issues, and represents your interests through closing as an alternative to traditional realtor representation.

  • Why should I use an attorney for real estate transactions instead of a realtor?

    An attorney provides legal expertise to ensure your transaction is legally sound and protects your interests. Attorneys handle contracts, title issues, and regulatory compliance, and can save you money in For Sale by Owner (FSBO) transactions by replacing the role traditionally filled by a commissioned realtor.

  • What types of real estate contracts can an attorney help with?

    Attorneys draft, review, and negotiate contracts for purchases and sales, residential and commercial leases, and property management agreements. They ensure contracts are enforceable, clear, and aligned with your goals.

  • How can an attorney assist with lease and landlord-side compliance?

    Our work for property owners and landlords is transactional and preventative, not dispute-driven. We assist with drafting legally compliant residential and commercial leases, vetting tenants under California law, short-term rental compliance, and structuring leases to minimize risk before a problem develops. We do not handle landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, or unlawful detainer matters. For those, we refer to counsel who focuses on that area.

  • What's the attorney's role in real estate disputes?

    Attorneys resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation, addressing issues like title or boundary disputes, easement and access conflicts, breach of contract in purchase, sale, or lease agreements, and co-owner and partition disputes. We focus on achieving resolutions that protect your interests. We do not handle landlord-tenant disputes or evictions.

Client reviews

What our clients say

4.8 · 33 Google reviews
  • As a fellow attorney, I’ve referred clients and friends to Corcoran on multiple occasions. Each time, I gather that the law firm was professional, courteous, responsive, and affordable. I will always recommend Corcoran for people needing sound legal counsel.
    Matthew Rowan June 2026 · Google
  • "I met with Nick Jacobs and Mark Smith to discuss my very unusual probate / child support case. I knew it was new territory for them and would be very time consuming as they had to deal with Child Support Services and learn the ins and outs of that agency. I was sure they would turn me away but to my surprise they took the case. During our initial call I explained the difficulties and the issues I had. They immediately started brain storming with me and put together a possible game plan. They were sympathetic and I could see they were clearly upset at the way this case started out for me. Their compassion for my plight was obvious. They genuinely cared and wanted to make things right for me and my kids. The following day I received a fee agreement. I had a few questions about the fees so I reached out to them and we came to a beneficial agreement for all. My life was a bit complicated and I was not as involved as I wanted to be but Nick took the lead and researched and reached out to the necessary people. From start to finish Nick kept me in the loop and at no time did I have to reach out for an update. If I had a question I would get a response the same day or early the next morning, which is not the norm for a law firm. Throughout this process I felt that I was heard, understood and valued as a person and not just a client fee. Once the case was completed I received my final bill and found that many of their working hours were not included in that bill. They absolutely went above and beyond to take care of me. I would highly recommend Corcoran Smith Law Corp. to anyone who needs legal advice. Thank you again to Nick and Mark for your dedication and tenacity and for putting people first.
    Jackie Mauro December 2025 · Google
  • I highly recommend Nick J. and his team for creating our family trust. Nick was professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. He explained everything clearly and made the process simple for us. He took the time to answer all our questions and made sure we felt comfortable with every decision. We’re grateful for his help in setting up a trust that gives us peace of mind for the future. If you need someone you can trust to handle important legal matters, Nick J. is the person to call!
    gilberto jose November 2024 · Google
  • My experience with the Cochrane Smith, Law Firm, Nicholas has been the best experience of my life. He has not only handled my legal trust problems. He has exceeded my expectations on this matter above and beyond the call of duty I thank Nicholas and his team for all the help they have given myself and my sister thanks again, folks
    Jeffrey Esquibel June 2026 · Google
  • Corcoran smith law corp is very helpful and professional. I needed To find a probate lawyer, after contacting a few different options they were the best choice. Everyone I spoke to was very professional, kind, and really took the time to listen to what I needed, as well as direct me to the best person for the job. They were very helpful in dealing with my case and prompt with getting back to me. I would Recommend this company to anyone who needs to hire a probate lawyer as I truly feel they care about people and understand the process.
    Jean Copus May 2026 · Google
  • ThankYou! Nick Jacobs for giving a priceless gift after 22 years. You are an amazing man and attorney I would recommend you to anyone. You showed that their are still Amazing people in this world I appreciate you
    Sage Goddess August 2025 · Google
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