Real Estate

The attorneys at McCurdy, Dean & Graditor, LLC have extensive experience representing clients in all types of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, financing, dispositions, construction, development, leasing and management of real estate.  Our clients include national, regional and local developers, builders, financial institutions, investors, asset managers, retailers, tax-exempt organizations, governmental agencies and local farmers and land owners seeking to maximize the value of their land.  We’ve assisted clients with the acquisition, financing and sale of office buildings, apartments, condominiums, shopping centers, hotels, farms, churches, schools, senior living facilities, and various industrial projects.

Our attorneys are widely recognized for possessing in-depth comprehensive understanding of the entire spectrum of land use and zoning issues, from traditional planning, zoning and building permit cases to complex development review and approval processes that require creative strategies and solutions.  We counsel developers, builders, governmental entities, non-profit institutions, and other local, national and international businesses on development projects from inception through completion, whether large industrial, commercial, residential or mixed-use developments encompassing hundreds of acres or individual properties.  Our ability to work effectively with the public sector and local communities to develop efficient and cost-effective responses has been a hallmark of our success.

Acquisition, Development and Financing

Our attorneys can prepare all types of documents needed for real estate deals:

  • Purchase and exchange contracts
  • Ground leases
  • Joint development agreements
  • Easement agreements

and assist with title, survey and other due diligence items, and regularly represent lenders in negotiating and closing acquisition, construction and permanent financing.  We help clients with the construction phase of a project by negotiating contracts with architects, engineers, contractors and other consultants. We represent various parties in construction projects, including owners, contractors and design professionals.  McCurdy, Dean & Graditor, LLC is an authorized agent for Fidelity National Title, and we close large-scale commercial and residential transactions in Maryland.

Development and Regulatory Approvals

Beginning with planning and zoning and extending through the administrative land use process, we work with each client to provide thoughtful and incisive input and leadership while working with technical consultants and regulators to maximize value.  These development and regulatory review processes include:

  • Master (comprehensive) Plan representation
  • Zoning Applications – including floating, overlay, planned unit, performance and mixed-use zones
  • Municipal Annexations
  • Developer Rights and Responsibilities Agreements (DRRAs)
  • Preliminary Plan of Subdivision and Record Plats
  • Project Plans, Sketch Plans and Site Plan applications
  • Forest Conservation Plans, Stormwater Management Plans and Sediment & Erosion Control Plans
  • Adequate Public Facility Review –Traffic and School Capacity Studies, Management Plans, Agreements and Exactions
  • Affordable Housing Agreements (Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Agreements)
  • Variance and Special Exception (conditional use) applications
  • Water and Sewer Map Amendments

Zoning and Land Use Analysis

Complementing our experience in regulatory land use law, we prepare due diligence analyses and materials for prospective buyers of individual properties, multi-parcel projects and large asset pools. We also research and prepare zoning legal opinion letters for presentation to lenders and review the zoning opinions of others on behalf of lenders.

Local and State Advocacy

Our attorneys are known in Maryland for building and maintaining professional relationships with the legislative and administrative leaders, decision-makers and regulatory staff of our local and state level governments who can have an impact on each client’s success.  Our attorneys understand the public policies and personalities that influence land use decisions and are often able to help shape those policies through advocacy on behalf of our clients.  Areas where advocacy efforts have been utilized include:

  • Comprehensive Planning/Master Plans
  • Zoning Text and Subdivision Regulation Amendments
  • Water and Sewer Plans
  • Annexations and Annexation Agreements
  • Growth Regulations
  • Legislative Advocacy
  • Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements

Banking & Finance

Our attorneys have a sophisticated banking and finance practice focused primarily on the representation of national, regional and local commercial banks.  We represent lenders in structuring, negotiating, documenting and resolving real estate and other asset-based loans throughout Central and Western Maryland.  Loan facilities include real estate acquisition, development and construction loans, permanent loans and other commercial loan transactions.  Our lawyers advise on all aspects of lender due diligence so that our clients can evaluate the risks and better balance the business and legal considerations in financing transactions.