More About Real Estate

Bank Counsel

As lender’s counsel, our firm understands both the business of underwriting and the importance of proper loan security. We assist financial institutions on every aspect of secured lending from commitment to foreclosure. Our role as lender’s counsel includes residential home loan closings, commercial property secured lending, coordination with other lenders and federal, state and local economic development agencies, such as SBA, ESDC and county industrial development agencies. We have closed e-loans, SONYMA and Freddie Mac residential and commercial loans. We have served as letter of credit bank counsel on tax exempt bond financing.

Development Projects

Our real estate practice also includes complicated transactional projects. We recently represented a local not-for-profit company in its acquisition of a downtown office building; the purchase was funded by two Industrial Development Agency bonds, one tax exempt and the other, taxable. Last fall, as borrower's counsel, the firm closed a $23,000,000 portfolio loan involving 4 commerical properties with three different owners. The transaction involved every aspect of real estate law, including zoning and building code compliance. We are currently working with the team that is attempting to restore the Ithaca Gun Factory site. This project is a joint venture between the owner, the developer and the City. We are actively engaged in all aspects of the municipal work, including the application process through the State agencies who are providing grants to fund demolition, clean up and redevelopment. We understand the requirements of state grants, bonds and other commercial financings and can work with developers, lenders, regulators and their counsel effectively.

Commercial real estate development, condominiums, co-housing and co-operatives.

Miller Mayer has extensive experience in the development of commercial real estate, as well as condominium and co-operative projects. The real estate finance industry is heavily regulated, and we have developed expertise in sorting through the intricacies of complex regulatory systems. We work closely with governmental agencies as needed for specific projects and are effective in handling the regulatory machinery that often makes the difference between success and failure.

We have served as counsel to many complex real estate projects in the formation and regulatory stages. We have also provided advice to other homeowners associations, co-operatives, condominiums, and co-housing projects in Tompkins County and beyond regarding formation, operational and management issues and have represented builders and developers on numerous projects.