At Stone & Sallus, we represent a broad spectrum of real estate professionals and property owners across Orange County. From Newport Beach to Irvine and Mission Viejo, our attorneys are trusted legal partners for developers, brokers, landlords, buyers, and sellers alike. Whether you’re navigating a complex transaction or facing a legal dispute, we provide clear, strategic guidance every step of the way.
We handle both commercial and residential matters, helping clients close deals, mitigate risk, and resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
Legal Counsel for Orange County Real Estate Professionals
Real estate transactions in Orange County can be intricate—especially with the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of the local market. Our attorneys support professionals including:
- Real estate agents and brokers
- Developers and contractors
- Escrow and title companies
- Landlords and property managers
- Buyers and sellers of residential and commercial property
If you’re facing potential litigation or need legal clarity on a contract, disclosure issue, or regulatory compliance with the California Department of Real Estate, our attorneys offer reliable legal insight to protect your interests and help avoid costly errors.
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Attorneys
Our firm brings decades of hands-on experience in both residential and commercial real estate law in Orange County.
Residential: We assist homeowners, agents, and buyers throughout the county—from Laguna Beach to Yorba Linda—with matters such as:
- Purchase contract disputes
- Non-disclosure and misrepresentation claims
- Title issues and escrow complications
- Foreclosure defense and prevention
Commercial: We guide clients through high-value commercial transactions, working closely with investors, landlords, and business owners. Our services include:
- Drafting and reviewing commercial purchase and sale agreements
- Negotiating leases and resolving lease disputes
- Addressing financing, title, and zoning complications
- Assisting in closing coordination and risk management
Common Dispute Areas We Handle
Breach of Contract (Buyers & Sellers)
Disputes over failed closings or contract terms can derail even the most promising deals. Whether you’re a buyer seeking to enforce a purchase or a seller facing wrongful demands, we:
- Analyze contract terms for enforceability
- Represent clients in mediation or litigation
- Help prevent disputes by proactively reviewing contracts
Fraud, Misrepresentation
Buyers and sellers may find themselves in legal hot water if defects or material facts about a property are not properly disclosed. Our firm:
- Prosecutes and defends fraud and non-disclosure claims
- Advises clients during escrow to reduce liability
- Offers damage assessment and negotiation strategy
Landlord–Tenant Representation in Orange County
We advocate for both sides of lease relationships, offering tailored strategies to protect rights and minimize legal exposure.
For Landlords:
We help residential and commercial landlords maximize rental income while staying compliant with Orange County and California laws. Services include:
- Lease drafting and enforcement
- Eviction and unlawful detainer actions
- Defense against wrongful eviction claims
For Tenants:
We defend tenants facing unjust eviction or lease violations, and ensure landlords are held accountable when property standards or lease terms are ignored.
Foreclosure and Lender–Borrower Disputes
In the ever-changing Orange County real estate market, financial strain can impact both property owners and lenders. Our firm provides strategic legal guidance to borrowers facing foreclosure and lenders looking to protect their investments. We advise on loan modifications, short sales, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure to help clients avoid unnecessary losses and legal exposure. For lenders, we handle every stage of the foreclosure process, including enforcing rights under promissory notes and deeds of trust. Whether you’re trying to save your property or recover a loan, our attorneys work to resolve disputes efficiently, always focused on your financial goals and legal protections.
Lease Agreements: Drafting, Review, and Enforcement
Whether you’re a landlord leasing out a commercial storefront in Costa Mesa or a tenant negotiating space in a high-rise in Irvine, a well-drafted lease can prevent countless legal issues down the line. Our attorneys handle the full lifecycle of both residential and commercial leases, from drafting agreements that clearly reflect your goals to enforcing terms when disputes arise. We regularly assist with lease negotiations, subletting rights, CAM and pass-through provisions, improvements and maintenance responsibilities, and enforcement of exclusive use clauses. Our goal is to create clarity from the start and step in with practical solutions when things go off course.
Real Estate Transactions: Purchase & Sale Agreements
Buying or selling property in Orange County involves more than just signing on the dotted line—it’s a layered process with significant legal implications. We guide clients through each phase of a real estate transaction, from initial negotiations and contract drafting to due diligence, escrow management, and final closing. Whether you’re purchasing a single-family home in Tustin or closing on a commercial asset in Santa Ana, our team helps ensure your deal is not only legally sound but also structured to minimize risk and avoid common pitfalls. If an issue arises, such as title defects or disputes over disclosures, we’re ready to step in with responsive, results-focused counsel.
Real Estate Transactions: Purchase & Sale Agreements
Buying or selling property in Orange County involves more than just signing on the dotted line—it’s a layered process with significant legal implications. We guide clients through each phase of a real estate transaction, from initial negotiations and contract drafting to due diligence, escrow management, and final closing. Whether you’re purchasing a single-family home in Tustin or closing on a commercial asset in Santa Ana, our team helps ensure your deal is not only legally sound but also structured to minimize risk and avoid common pitfalls. If an issue arises, such as title defects or disputes over disclosures, we’re ready to step in with responsive, results-focused counsel.
Financing Disputes
Financing real estate transactions in Orange County can be complex, especially when unexpected issues arise with loan terms, repayment obligations, or lender-borrower agreements. We represent both sides of the table in financing disputes, helping borrowers understand their contractual rights and obligations while also helping lenders enforce them. Whether you’re facing a default, alleging bad faith lending practices, or simply need guidance before a potential issue escalates, our attorneys provide proactive legal strategies to resolve disputes swiftly and minimize long-term financial consequences.
1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges
For investors looking to grow their real estate portfolio while deferring capital gains taxes, a 1031 exchange is a powerful tool—but only when executed correctly. We help clients structure these tax-deferred exchanges in compliance with IRS rules, ensuring timing, property qualification, and intermediary coordination are handled seamlessly. Whether you’re exchanging a multifamily property in Anaheim for a commercial asset in Huntington Beach, our attorneys offer practical, tax-conscious advice to protect your investment and keep your transaction moving forward.
Easements, Quiet Title & Partition Actions
Real estate ownership often comes with shared boundaries, unclear titles, or disagreements between co-owners—and that’s where we step in. Our team is skilled in negotiating, drafting, and litigating easement agreements, whether you’re dealing with access rights, utility lines, or shared driveways. When disputes over ownership arise, we assist with quiet title actions to formally resolve and confirm title. In situations where co-owners no longer wish to maintain joint ownership, we guide clients through partition actions that fairly divide or sell the property, always focused on preserving rights and minimizing unnecessary conflict.
Failure to Disclose Claims
Few things are more frustrating than purchasing a property only to find out later that the seller failed to disclose a serious defect. We represent buyers who discover issues with a property—such as water damage, foundation problems, or unpermitted work—that should have been disclosed before closing. At the same time, we defend sellers against unfounded claims, particularly when disclosures were made properly and in good faith. Our attorneys investigate the facts, clarify the obligations under California disclosure laws, and work to resolve these high-stakes disputes with minimal disruption and maximum fairness.
Talk to an Experienced Orange County Real Estate Attorney
Whether you’re developing a commercial complex in Santa Ana, buying a coastal home in Huntington Beach, or navigating a leasing dispute in Anaheim, our real estate lawyers are here to help.
Stone & Sallus serves clients throughout Orange County, including Newport Beach, Irvine, Fullerton, Mission Viejo, and the surrounding communities. Contact us now to schedule a consultation and gain legal clarity from a team that understands real estate law from the ground up.
