Real Estate Law Unlocked

U.S. Real Estate Tax Planning for Global Families

Tax structure at acquisition can determine whether a global family's U.S. real estate investment preserves value or creates avoidable exposure for years to come. Real Estate attorney Shawn Amuial [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/a/amuial-shawn-s] joins Private Wealth Services and Tax attorneys Sean Tevel [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/t/tevel-sean-j] and Logan Gans [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/g/gans-logan-e] to discuss how global families should structure U.S. real estate investments before closing. They stress that investors who buy first and seek tax advice later often find themselves facing costly – yet preventable – issues such as estate tax and Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) exposure coupled with state tax noncompliance. Proper planning, they add, turns on core facts such as residency, intended use, holding period and home jurisdiction treatment. For real estate lawyers, early coordination between transactional and tax counsel remains critical to protecting clients' assets and avoiding mistakes that are difficult to unwind.

The Legal Landscape of Housing and Transit Growth in West Hollywood

Growth initiatives throughout California municipalities demonstrate how local housing policy can change a city's map while also running up against statewide legislation. In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Los Angeles land use attorney Ryan Leaderman [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/l/leaderman-ryan-michael] speaks with West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman about housing density, housing affordability, transit expansion and the tension between state mandates and local planning. Heilman points to West Hollywood's early rent control ordinance, inclusionary housing programs and support for affordable housing development as ways the city focused on opportunity from its founding, then explains how the upcoming K line extension and Senate Bill (SB) 79 could reconfigure where new development goes. He also describes how California's density bonus law and Housing Accountability Act introduce beneficial tools for local governments while also resulting in unintended roadblocks. This conversation highlights how local leaders manage growth while balancing competing interests.

What Florida Real Estate Developers Should Know About Emergency Permit Extensions

When government offices shut down and need material or economic assistance after a natural disaster, a provision in Florida law can help developers protect project schedules. Real estate attorneys Erica Adams [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/a/adams-erica-c] and Alessandria San Roman [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/s/san-roman-alessandria] break down Florida Statute 252.363, a powerful but often overlooked tool that can assist developers when hurricanes, floods and other declared states of emergency disrupt permitting and construction. They explain what qualifies as a development order that can be extended under the statute and list the approval and permits that may be eligible, from certain building and environmental permits to buildout dates for developments of regional impact. They also point out key exclusions that can block an extension and highlight the practical mechanics of tolling and extensions, including how to calculate the paused time and how overlapping emergencies are handled. Ms. Adams and Ms. San Roman conclude by identifying common compliance pitfalls and advising developers to maintain calendar deadlines, review agency-specific requirements and file proactively to keep projects on track.

Palm Beach County Real Estate and the Next Wave of Transformational Development

While Miami-Dade County development and South Florida's growing economy dominate headlines, just 40 minutes north lies another hotspot seeing a similar amount of success: Palm Beach County. In this podcast episode, Real Estate attorney Herman Lipkis [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/l/lipkis-herman-r] sits down with Jordan Bargas, Executive Vice President of Development at Related Ross, for a forward-looking conversation on how Palm Beach is evolving from a lifestyle destination to a nationally watched growth market. After Mr. Bargas traces his path from Boca Raton to New York's Hudson Yards and back to Florida, he and Mr. Lipkis explore what "transformational development" looks like in practice: building an interconnected ecosystem of education, healthcare, mobility and entertainment that attracts employers, retains talent and propels long-term economic momentum. From investments in local schools and the Related Ross Foundation's community impact to the rise of technology and innovation hubs to the buzz around next-generation transportation such as air taxis, this episode offers an insightful lens not only on the forces reshaping West Palm Beach, but also the next wave of opportunity across Palm Beach County real estate.

Miami and Broward Real Estate: Growth, Land Scarcity and What’s Ahead

What happens when one of South Florida's most seasoned developers looks past the skyline and sees the next wave of opportunity? Attorney Mamie Joeveer [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/j/joeveer-mamie] and CEO of Sunbeam Properties, Sunbeam Development and Sunbeam Television Andy Ansin dive into the exciting projects reshaping Broward County and greater Miami, highlighting the rise of mixed-use lifestyle destinations in Miramar and a major waterfront transformation in North Bay Village. Mr. Ansin also describes the market realities of land scarcity, affordability and transportation, as well as the growing influence of schools on where families and companies choose to put down roots. With decades of experience across Florida and Indiana, Mr. Ansin provides a grounded but forward-looking view of where the region is headed, why experience-driven development is winning and how smart real estate strategy can help define the future of South Florida communities.