Due Diligence/Inspection Period Services

Due Diligence Services Provided By Lake County Land Use Attorney

The Mount Dora Office of Leslie Campione, Attorney at Law, provides "due diligence" services to clients purchasing real property in Lake County and the surrounding areas of The Villages, Marion County, Sumter County, Orange County and Apopka. Leslie Campione has practiced in the field of "land use and governmental law" for seventeen years and is familiar with the local land development regulations and comprehensive planning documents used by local governments to regulate growth and development. Our firm has access to a multitude of consultants including land planners, biologists, hydrologists, geologists, engineers and surveyors and can assist clients in identifying the professional services that may be needed depending on our initial review of the property. Contact us today to schedule an appoint to discuss your real estate concerns. 

Real Estate Counsel in Lake County and Land Use Attorney

Real Property should not be purchased without a thorough review of regulations limiting the use of the property and an investigation of prior ownership and historical use of the property to assure there is no contamination or similar problems on the property. This is especially true for vacant land. It is critical to evaluate the suitability of vacant land for future development by determining whether endangered species or habitat are located on the property, the extent that there are wetlands or other protected environmental features are located within or adjacent to the property, whether the soils are suitable for the proposed use and whether there are adequate utilities and public facilities to serve the site.

In addition to assisting with the regulatory aspects of land use, the Mount Dora Office of Leslie Campione, Attorney at Law, is able to conduct a historical search of the chain of title for the property using records that have been recorded with the Clerk of Court through the years. Typically, a chain of title search conducted for purposes of issuing title insurance is limited in depth and scope according to parameters established by Florida law. We can also conduct soil reports on the property. In addition, we will also determine if there are any deed restrictions on the property.

However, depending on the proposed use of a particular parcel (for example, a large scale residential development), the search should go beyond the standard timeframe to assure that there were no activities associated with the site that might affect the safety of the property (for example, pollution, landfills, bombing ranges, military bases). Typically, the ownership of the property gives clues as to what types of activities may have occurred on the property and thereafter a more thorough investigation can be conducted on the property if deemed necessary.

Due Diligence and Inspection Periods in Real Estate Contracts

When drafting a contract for vacant land it is critical to include an inspection period or due diligence period so that the allowable uses of the land can be identified, the suitability of the site for its intended purpose can be established, and a determination can be made as to whether past activities that occurred on the land may restrict use of the property or create liability for a new owner. Furthermore, the contract may need to include a sufficient time period to seek development approvals or confirmation from regulatory agencies that the site can be used as proposed.

Whether deposit money will be returned after this period is concluded is often a key feature of a vacant land contract, and both buyers and sellers need to be protected in this regard. A seller needs to be assured that a potential buyer conducts the investigation of the property in an efficient manner, and a buyer needs enough time to get the work done. These are the types of considerations that a Real Estate Attorney can assist the parties with, and by using the services of Leslie Campione, both parties can rest assured that timeframes are realistic and that the investigation is being conducted by a professional that is well-versed in this area of the law.

Contact Us

Located in downtown Mount Dora, our offices are open from nine to five, Monday through Friday. If you are visiting Mount Dora from outside of the Lake County area, we can arrange for Saturday appointments. Contact us today for more information about our due diligence and real estate environmental law services.

Leslie Campione, P.A. Attorney at Law
342 East Fifth Ave
Mount Dora, FL 32757
Phone: 352-383-9020
Fax: 352-383-4654
Map and Directions │ Email

At the Mount Dora, FL offices of Leslie Campione, Attorney at Law, we represent clients throughout Florida, including Tavares, Leesburg, Clermont, Eustis, Apopka, and Lake County, Florida.

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