Tag: Property Law

The Dingeman & Dancer Blog consists of articles, news, and press releases written and edited by the attorneys and legal professionals at our firm, providing updates on both recent legal developments and established advice and guidance. Choose from the various topics listed in the sidebar menu to narrow in on a particular focus.

Zoning Ordinance Reviews: Timing & Considerations

Whether you’re planning to build or purchase a home or commercial property, or just want to use your property differently than you have in the past, zoning should be considered as early in the process as possible. Zoning ordinances change frequently, so it is important to make sure you’re up to date with the most…

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Zoning Ordinances: What They Are and How They’re Defined

Do you own or rent property in Michigan? If so, local zoning ordinances likely impact how you can use your property. Land use constraints and standards are complicated areas of law, but the experienced attorneys at Dingeman & Dancer are here to help with guidance and advice for your land-use plans. Simply put, zoning ordinances…

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Property Encroachment – What It Is and How It Can Affect You

Michigan Property Line Encroachment Laws: What They Mean for You Good fences make good neighbors…so long as that fence isn’t violating your property line! Property line encroachment is serious; after all, your property is yours and yours alone. Learn about your rights as a property owner and the proper way to address issues of encroachment…

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Property Capping and Uncapping In Michigan

Property values in desirable northern Michigan have risen dramatically in recent years and real estate experts expect prices to continue rising. This trend has been especially prevalent in coastal cities and towns on the Great Lakes, and with cottages and cabins near inland lakes, streams, and rivers. Property taxes, tied to property values, should be…

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Buying and Selling Real Estate on Land Contract

Buyers and sellers of real estate have the option of using a unique financing mechanism that can, in certain situations, provide a superior means of structuring a property sale. This mechanism, known as a land contract, is a popular form of seller financing used in real estate transactions (often residential) that serves an alternative to…

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In the Shadow of Proposal 3: Knowing Your Property Rights

Author: George E. Powell Election season is upon us, and consequently, the heavily debated Proposal 3 will finally be up for vote. Unless you have missed the litany of yard-signage and continuous local media coverage, you would surely know that there is a contentious battle being waged over an amendment to Traverse City’s Charter. The amendment…

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Can You Cut Down Your Neighbor’s Trees?

We often get questions from clients who either want to cut down trees that are on the border of their property line with their neighbor or who at least want to remove several branches that are encroaching on their property from a tree on their neighbor’s property. So, you might ask, what’s the answer? This…

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Woodland Regulation: Tree Removal

Author: Daniel J. Dingeman The ability to remove trees in connection with land development is limited by various types of woodlands regulation. In the development context, this regulation focuses on not only on the restrictions on tree removal, but also on controlling soil erosion and sedimentation. The latter focus, which will not be discussed in any…

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Corporate Relief Under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act

Author: George E. Powell The snow has (finally) melted.  Northern Michigan residents can now dig through closets for their sandals, beach towels and swim trunks. Seasonal changes bring more than wardrobe changes, however—the warm months escort in droves of construction and land development projects.  Such projects are not always as clean and tidy as they appear from…

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Serious Consequences for Impacting a Wetland

Property owners and construction clients often come to us for advice after already starting a building or development project because the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has informed them that their activities have impacted a wetland. Unfortunately, it is often too late at this point to avoid serious consequences. While there are certain procedures available that…

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