Are you a commercial office property owner facing eminent domain in North Carolina?
Your property is likely worth far more than the government is offering. We have helped many commercial office property owners increase their eminent domain compensation, and we know how to help you, too.1 Call today!
We Help Commercial Office Property Owners Facing Eminent Domain in North Carolina
Whether you own a single-story building in a suburban strip mall or a multi-story office building in the heart of downtown, the government can take your commercial office property for a public use project under eminent domain. Where does that leave you and your business?
The government only wants your land, not your business. But when it takes the land that your business operates on, it can also limit – and frequently even destroy – the business itself. The government is required to pay you fair market value for your land, but that does not account for the value of your business.
Eminent domain negotiations are different than other negotiations you may have taken part in as a business owner. It’s vital to determine all possible damages associated with commercial office property takings before accepting the government’s offer.
It is extremely unlikely that you will be able to successfully fight the taking itself. But an experienced eminent domain attorney can significantly increase your odds of receiving maximum compensation. And that potential compensation should take into consideration any relocation expenses, easements, and many other issues discussed below.
Before you agree to anything, see what your property may really be worth. If you are a landowner of commercial office property being targeted for eminent domain by the government, call us today at 1-877-393-4990 and get a free case evaluation.
Issues commercial office property owners may be facing to get a fair valuation
Commercial property owner landlords and owners have rights when it comes to eminent domain, primarily the right to receive fair compensation for the land their commercial office property resides on that is being taken or negatively impacted by an NCDOT project. There are many details in every eminent domain taking and an experienced eminent domain attorney can help you navigate each one.
Condemnation
Condemnation is the legal process by which the North Carolina government can take (or condemn) your commercial office property or property rights for a project that benefits the public. It must compensate you for its taking whether your property is taken completely or partially. In a condemnation, the government files a condemnation lawsuit and deposits its initial offer with the court – but this offer is likely for less than your property may really be worth.
Inverse Condemnation
In an inverse condemnation taking, the government takes your commercial office property (or a property right) without first having paid for it. This type of taking generally forces you to bring an inverse condemnation claim to fight for the just compensation to which you may be entitled.
Easements
Easements grant the government the right to access and alter your property, and the government is required to pay you for this right. Easements can be temporary or permanent, and there are several different kinds, such as utility easements, drainage easements, sewer easements, construction easements, and more. Because easements can affect your commercial office property’s use and resale value, it’s important to fully understand easement contract terms and conditions.
Appraisals
An appraisal is a written professional assessment of a property’s value that is intended to represent the fair market valuation of the land that your commercial office property is on. There are several different appraisal methodologies, however, so appraisals can vary widely. The government, like any other buyer, wants to spend the smallest amount possible to acquire your property.
Relocation
There are certain types of compensation you can seek when a taking forces you to relocate your commercial office property. Relocation benefits may cover costs such as moving expenses and search services that assist in finding new potential locations.
The eminent domain process for commercial office property owners
To help commercial office property landlords and land owners of commercial office property understand the process for DOT takings in North Carolina, here is a short video from the lead attorney of our firm, Stan Abrams:
Wherever you are in the eminent domain process, we can help you. To speak to a knowledgeable member of our team right now, call 1-877-393-4990 or chat with us online.
Frequently asked questions about commercial office property takings
Can private companies use eminent domain?
While the majority of commercial office property eminent domain cases involve a government entity, such as the NCDOT, needing property for a public use project, there are instances when a private company, such as a utility company, can employ eminent domain to take property. However, all eminent domain takings must be for a public use and must compensate the property owner.
Can you fight eminent domain?
While it is very difficult to stop the government in an eminent domain case, there are (rare) instances when property owners have contested the government’s right to take their property under eminent domain. These cases usually involve proving that the taking would benefit a private person or entity and not the public generally.
Typically, it is more beneficial for the property owner to invest their time and effort working with an eminent domain attorney to fight for the highest possible compensation.
How is just compensation determined in eminent domain?
The government is required to pay just compensation when it takes property, but often its estimate of what is fair falls short of that. An experienced eminent domain attorney may investigate many factors when determining potential just compensation, including:
the fair market value of your property
damages due to loss of parking & access or loss of landscaping & buffer
Our firm has a built a network (and advances the costs of) land experts, such as engineers, real estate agents, surveyors, and others, that can help us evaluate the true value of your commercial office property.
Does eminent domain pay loss of income?
No. Unfortunately, the government does not owe you compensation for lost profits in North Carolina when it takes your land via eminent domain. However, there are many other possible types of compensation you may be entitled to. If the NCDOT is planning to take the land your commercial office property resides on, call an experienced eminent domain attorney immediately to see if the offer is really fair.
Is any property exempt from eminent domain?
No private property is generally exempt from eminent domain in North Carolina, as long as the property owner is fairly compensated and the property is taken for the public good.
Our experienced representation can make a significant difference
With the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm, you get the peace of mind of:
having our team shoulder the burden and many details of determining the highest possible value for your commercial office property
knowing that you have a skilled team (with 4 attorneys on it who used to represent the NCDOT) fighting for your rights
Our attorneys have achieved remarkable results for our clients and have handled many different kinds of commercial office property cases throughout North Carolina. Since we’ve been in business, we’ve helped our clients get on average nearly 3x more than their initial offers.1
We represent property owners exclusively, and we front all costs so you don’t have to worry about whether you can afford to fight for everything you may be owed.
To have your commercial office property eminent domain case evaluated at no cost or obligation, call 1-877-393-4990 or contact us online today.
Get a free case
evaluation today.
There are only a handful of attorneys in NC who practice eminent domain exclusively, and even fewer with NCDOT experience. We have several. That’s why its worth getting in touch with us for a free case evaluation.
Here’s how it works:
1) Tell us about your situation.
2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.
3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.
But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.
1-877-393-4990
1-877-393-4990