Real Estate Syndication Lawyer Columbus Ohio

Andrew H. Stevens, Esq.

Real estate syndication can be a lucrative investment option for both general partners and limited partners, but there’s a lot to know before getting started. Working with an attorney helps ensure you take the proper steps and precautions when participating in a syndicate. Lawyers can help you determine whether or not a specific real estate development is a smart investment, offer guidance as you seek financing, ensure the contracts you sign are compliant with the law and in your best interests, and so much more. Contact Stevens Law today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our services in Columbus OH.

What is Real Estate Syndication?

Real estate syndication occurs when investors form a partnership (syndicate) and pool their money to fund a real estate investment. Individual investors can partner together, as can investment companies, for financing purposes. Syndication can be beneficial, allowing you to invest in real estate that you would not be able to invest in by yourself. In real estate syndication, the syndicate owns the residential or commercial property or development, and the investors share the profits or losses.

A syndicator – also called a deal sponsor or a general partner – finds real estate projects and creates a private placement memorandum, which includes details about the property and the investment opportunity. The sponsor then generally seeks out accredited investors (there are limited exceptions) to join the syndicate and provide financing for the project.

Syndicates can invest in a variety of residential and commercial development types, including office buildings, apartment buildings, multi-family homes, mobile home parks, land, self-storage units, retail buildings, and more.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer?

Investing via real estate syndication in Columbus, Ohio requires an understanding of the law and regulations, as well as financing strategies and other financial nuances. Having an experienced real estate attorney by your side helps ensure you’re following the proper rules and regulations and making smart financial decisions.

Beyond ensuring compliance with the law and providing advice, the attorneys at Stevens Law offer a comprehensive understanding of syndication dynamics, financing options, investor contracts, credit options, and deal structuring. We can create, review, and edit important documents to ensure your transactions are legally sound, transparent, and aligned with your objectives. Business lawyers and finance lawyers can also provide assistance during negotiations, helping you secure the best terms for your contracts and pricing for your development purchases.

From navigating the intricacies of finance, securities, and real estate law to conducting thorough due diligence during property acquisition and development, our attorneys help position your syndicate for long-term success. With our guidance and variety of services, you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Structuring and Financing Syndication Deals

When it comes to structuring and financing real estate syndication deals in Ohio, the knowledge of an experienced lawyer can be a valuable asset. Our team understands the various legal, financial, and operational aspects that shape the success of a syndication venture. Whether you're an investor seeking to participate in a syndication deal or a syndicator looking to assemble an exciting investment opportunity, our lawyers bring a strategic perspective to the table. We work closely with you to design deal structures to maximize returns and minimize risks. From securing funds to drafting comprehensive contracts that align all stakeholders' interests, our guidance ensures that your syndication deal is legally sound and poised for financial success.

The lawyers at Stevens Law can help you choose the appropriate deal structure based on your goals and circumstances, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Limited Partnership (LP). In an LLC, each partner in the syndicate has limited liability. It’s relatively easier to create and maintain an LLC, and this structure also provides more flexibility in terms of taxes. In an LP, a sponsor can be responsible for the debt and anything else related to the investment. The limited partners, on the other hand, are not responsible for the syndicate’s debts or other liabilities.

When it’s time to buy the commercial property, our lawyers can provide assistance by advising on the real estate purchase and sale agreement. A variety of tax benefits and incentives can be available to real estate syndications, and Ohio real estate lawyers can help you take advantage of the ones most beneficial to you.

Regulatory Compliance: Raising Private Funds and Managing the Syndicate

In real estate syndication, it’s crucial to stay compliant with federal law and state law when financing and managing a syndicate. The Columbus, Ohio attorneys at Stevens Law will guide you through the regulatory landscape, ensuring that every aspect of your syndication venture is compliant with securities law. Whether you're raising private funds from investors or overseeing the day-to-day operations of a syndicate, you can protect your interests while upholding legal obligations by working with experienced lawyers.

There are a variety of ways to find investors and secure financing for your real estate project. One popular option is to register the offer with the SEC so you can do public fundraising. Depending on how you want to reach out to investors, our securities lawyers can assist with various securities exemptions, including 506(b) and 506(c). Our skilled lawyers can help you decide which options are best for your real estate development project and ensure your public and private fundraising efforts are done in accordance with the law.

Drafting and Reviewing Documents

Legal documents help protect everyone involved in real estate syndication transactions by outlining roles, responsibilities, financing strategies, and profit-sharing arrangements between the members of the syndicate. The experienced lawyers at Stevens Law in Columbus, Ohio can draft a variety of important documents as well as review and suggest changes for existing documents before they’re signed. This helps ensure the agreed upon terms are in your best interests.

Private Placement Memorandum

The private placement memorandum is a document that helps investors learn more about the commercial property development and the investment opportunity. Details like objectives of the investment, risks associated with the investment, business information, how the deal is structured, how financing will be raised, and more can all included in the memorandum. Having attorneys assist with drafting the memorandum is a great way to ensure the document includes all the necessary information and expresses it clearly.

At Stevens Law, our attorneys are experienced in drafting memorandums that cover the necessary legal elements, offer transparency, resonate with investors, and clearly present the investment opportunity.

Investor Agreements

Successful syndicates have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Our in-depth approach to drafting and reviewing investor agreements, including subscription agreements, ensures that all stakeholders understand their rights and obligations. We take the time to address critical components, including capital contributions, profit-sharing and distributions mechanisms, decision-making protocols, and exit strategies. This proactive approach minimizes ambiguity and potential disputes, creating a solid framework for collaboration that is grounded in transparency.

Negotiations and Contracts

Effective negotiations can help you secure favorable terms for your investment deal and maximize its potential for success. Thanks to our deep understanding of the dynamics of real estate syndications, financing options, and the law, our attorneys offer expertise with advising general partners, limited partners, and financers.

When it’s time to create contracts, we’ll draft documents that are in line with the law and thoughtfully structured to reflect the nuances of your syndication deal. We can also review documents like lease contracts for commercial properties to ensure the terms are in line with your best interests and to suggest changes when needed.

Due Diligence in Property Acquisition and Development

Due diligence is a crucial part of real estate syndication deals, as it uncovers potential problems like legal issues or problems with the property or development. These issues can have a huge impact on an investor’s return on investment and the success of a syndication venture. Our Columbus, Ohio lawyers can assist with multiple facets of due diligence, including governing documents, financials, contracts, and management. By identifying potential pitfalls early on, we help mitigate risks and pave the way for a seamless acquisition process.

With support from our lawyers, you can make informed decisions, navigate potential legal obstacles, and confidently embark on your property acquisition and development journey.

Navigating Finance Law and Real Estate Syndication

As you navigate the world of real estate syndication, it’s helpful to have someone on your side who understands the complexities of real estate syndication and the law in Ohio. The skilled lawyers at Stevens Law have the expertise to guide you through every stage of the syndication process. From the initial stages of deal structuring and financing via public or private funds to comprehensive due diligence and regulatory compliance, we stand by your side, ensuring that each decision is rooted in a solid legal foundation. We also provide invaluable insights into the law's role within real estate syndication.

Our commitment extends beyond offering legal counsel – we are dedicated to empowering you with the knowledge needed to make smart financing decisions and informed financial choices, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities that drive success in the dynamic world of real estate syndication. We can help you plan for unexpected events, answer any questions you might have, and provide guidance and support every step of the way.

About Stevens Law in Columbus, Ohio

The Columbus real estate attorneys and finance attorneys at Stevens Law are dedicated to helping each client navigate the complexities of real estate syndication and the law with confidence and clarity. Whether you're an investor seeking opportunities or a syndicator aiming to structure deals, our experienced team can guide you through every stage of the property acquisition, development, management, and sale process.

Our attorneys specialize in practice areas like commercial real estate, commercial finance law, corporate and general business law, securities law, and more, so we can support you with in-depth and relevant knowledge. We will help you make informed decisions and smart investments when buying, leasing, or selling a commercial property or development. We can also create and review contracts and provide assistance through a variety of business transactions.

Our team in Ohio represents companies of all sizes, and we look forward to supporting your real estate syndication endeavors. Contact us today at (614) 826-3100 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about our services.