What it is
Real Estate Law at Melleh Law covers the acquisition, sale, leasing, financing, and holding of residential and commercial property—especially for international clients investing in New York. We align legal due diligence, tax/withholding coordination, financing, and entity structuring so that each deal closes securely, on time, and with the intended risk profile.

A pragmatic, cross-border approach
We translate complex New York real-estate practice into clear steps and coordinate with your brokers, lenders, title/escrow, CPAs, and foreign counsel. For non-U.S. clients, we address domicile and asset situs, banking/onboarding, withholding on foreign sellers, and ongoing compliance (reporting, ownership transparency) so titles, contracts, and filings remain consistent across jurisdictions.

Who we serve

• International buyers and sellers of New York residential or commercial property

• Investors building portfolios (single assets, condos/co-ops, multifamily, mixed-use, retail/office/industrial)

• Family offices, closely held companies, and developers/owner-operators

What we deliver

• Deal strategy & structure: individual vs. LLC/LP/holdco title, co-ownership agreements, financing paths

• Contract negotiation: letters of intent, purchase & sale agreements, condo/co-op contracts, riders

• Due diligence management: title/survey, building permits and violations, zoning/CO, environmental screens, lease and financial review (for income property)

• Co-op/condo matters: application packages, board approvals, house rules, alteration agreements

• Leasing (landlord/tenant): retail, office, and industrial leases; SNDAs, estoppels, assignments, and renewals

• Closing & post-closing: escrow coordination, recordings, lien/USTPO/UCC checks, post-closing checklists

• Tax & regulatory coordination: local transfer/mortgage taxes and mansion-tax considerations where applicable; withholding for foreign sellers; information reporting with your CPA

Typical strategies & issues we handle

• Purchase/sale of condos, co-ops, townhouses, and 1–4 family homes; commercial assets (multifamily, mixed-use, retail, office, industrial)

• Entity and finance planning: SPEs, guaranties/carve-outs, mezz or construction financing; refinancing and rate-lock timing

• Portfolio/rent-roll diligence: lease abstracts, estoppels, expense reconciliation, arrears and security-deposit handling

• Renovation & alteration compliance: DOB filings, alteration agreements, contractor/architect contracts, insurance requirements

• Short-term rental and use restrictions: building rules and local regulations review

• Dispute risk management: escrow provisions, reps & warranties, indemnities, and post-closing remedies (working with litigators when needed)

Family businesses & investors
We connect real-estate holding strategy with governance and succession: voting vs. economic rights, buy–sell provisions, manager authority, and distribution policies—so ownership transitions smoothly while protecting operating and personal assets.

Our process

1. Scoping & objectives — asset type, use case, financing, hold period, risk tolerance

2. Structure & term sheet — title vehicle, tax/withholding plan, key commercial terms

3. Contracting — negotiate PSA/lease/loan docs; set diligence milestones and contingencies

4. Diligence & approvals — title/survey/zoning/leases/financials; lender, board, and permit checks

5. Closing & post-closing — escrow, recordings, compliance calendar, and ownership/management handoff

This overview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Outcomes depend on your specific facts and the laws and regulations applicable to your transaction.