The Best Real Estate Attorneys in Peaks Island, ME
Find experienced real estate attorneys in Peaks Island, Maine. Compare 3 top-rated lawyers specializing in property transactions, closings, and real estate law.
Top-Rated Real Estate Attorneys in Peaks Island
David P. Silk
Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry
David Silk is a highly respected real estate attorney with over 25 years of experience serving clients throughout Southern Maine, including Peaks Island and Casco Bay communities. He specializes in complex real estate transactions, waterfront properties, and residential closings. As a shareholder at Maine's oldest law firm, he brings extensive expertise in island property transactions, title issues, and coastal real estate matters. His practice includes representing buyers, sellers, and lenders in residential and commercial real estate transactions throughout Cumberland County.
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James I. Cohen
Drummond & Drummond, LLP
James Cohen has built a strong reputation as a real estate attorney serving the Greater Portland area and Casco Bay islands for over two decades. His practice focuses on residential real estate transactions, including island properties, waterfront homes, and vacation properties. He is known for his meticulous attention to detail in title examination and closing documentation. With extensive experience handling transactions involving Peaks Island properties, he provides comprehensive legal services for buyers and sellers navigating the unique aspects of island real estate.
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John J. Wall III
Monaghan Leahy, LLP
John Wall brings over 15 years of real estate law experience with particular expertise in Southern Maine coastal properties and island transactions. His practice includes residential and commercial real estate matters, with significant experience representing clients in Peaks Island property purchases and sales. He is recognized for his practical approach to real estate transactions and his ability to navigate the specific challenges of island properties, including easements, access rights, and coastal regulations. His firm has established a strong reputation for serving clients throughout Cumberland County's island communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to hire a Maine-licensed real estate attorney familiar with Peaks Island for a property purchase?
Peaks Island real estate involves unique considerations like ferry-dependent access, specific Casco Bay zoning, and potential easements for shared docks or paths. A local Maine attorney understands these island-specific issues, Maine's strict property disclosure laws, and can navigate the logistical challenges of conducting closings that may be dependent on ferry schedules.
What specific services do Peaks Island real estate attorneys provide for a home sale or purchase?
Beyond standard contract review and title work, attorneys here handle critical island-specific tasks. This includes verifying right-of-way and shoreland zoning compliance with Portland's ordinances, reviewing well and septic system permits (as there's no municipal sewer), and ensuring deeds properly describe unique property boundaries that may be defined by the shoreline or old island plots.
How do real estate attorneys on Peaks Island assist with boundary disputes or easement issues?
Given the island's dense layout and shared access needs for docks, beaches, and walking paths, boundary disputes are common. A local attorney can review historical deeds and plot plans, negotiate with neighboring property owners, and if necessary, file actions in the Cumberland County courts to resolve issues related to encroachments or the use of prescriptive easements.
Are there unique local regulations in Portland/Peaks Island that a real estate attorney can help me navigate?
Yes. Portland's Land Use Code and Shoreland Zoning Ordinance impose strict rules on development, renovations, and tree removal, especially near the water. An attorney can guide you through the permit process with the City of Portland, advise on restrictions for short-term rentals (which are regulated), and ensure compliance with conservation easements that are common on the island.
What should I expect for the cost of hiring a real estate attorney for a transaction on Peaks Island?
Costs typically involve a flat fee for standard transactions, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000+, depending on complexity. Factors that increase cost include title issues from old island deeds, the need for survey coordination (which is highly recommended), and extra time for resolving unique contingencies like septic system inspections or easement clarifications.
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