Real Estate & Construction

The real estate market in Serbia has built a reputation over the past decades as one of the most stable segments of the domestic economy. Despite economic and political challenges, investments in apartments, houses, commercial spaces, and land remain the first choice for both individuals and businesses. The reason lies in the fact that real estate carries lasting and tangible value, making it a safe way to preserve capital and protect against inflation.

While individuals often see real estate purchases as security for their families and savings, companies view them as the foundation for business expansion and long-term growth. Thanks to constant demand, this market has proven resilient even during periods of global instability, positioning it as a kind of “safe harbor” for both domestic and foreign investors.

However, every real estate transaction carries certain legal risks, from unclear ownership and hidden obligations to complex contractual relationships. This is precisely where the importance of a real estate lawyer comes into play: their role is to ensure legal certainty, process predictability, and the protection of clients’ interests, making the investment as stable as the market itself.

Why Zunic Law for Real Estate?

  • Over three decades of experience: successfully resolving even the most complex property law issues.
  • End-to-end support: from due diligence and negotiations to transaction closing and asset management.
  • Multidisciplinary approach: considering tax, financial, and regulatory aspects of every transaction.
  • Pragmatic solutions: focusing on security, efficiency, and investment sustainability.

Our Approach: Security, Predictability, and Investment Protection

Our solution ensures that every transaction is legally clean, contracts are clear, and client rights are protected.

Zunic Law’s multidisciplinary team analyzes the entire property status, identifies risks, and shapes solutions that preserve value and guarantee legal security.

Key Practice Areas in Real Estate and Construction

  1.  Drafting real estate sale and purchase agreements
  2. Reviewing real estate sale and purchase agreements
  3. Assistance in real estate purchase and sale transactions
  4. Complex commercial lease agreements
  5. Representation in buying property from developers during construction
  6. Construction and joint development agreements
  7. Sale and purchase of agricultural land
  8. Termination of mortgages
  9. Property-related disputes

Below are detailed areas of practice, with emphasis on the specific results we deliver.

1) Drafting Real Estate Sale and Purchase Agreements

  • Contract drafting: agreements are structured to clearly regulate transfer of ownership, obligations of the parties, and payment terms, ensuring legal certainty and avoiding disputes.
  • Protective clauses and legal safeguards: provisions are added to protect buyers and sellers from hidden defects, encumbrances, or unresolved property issues.
  • Deadlines, payments, and consequences of delay: defining payment schedules, deadlines, and penalties in case of delays, making transactions predictable and transparent.
  • Registration and enforceability: contracts are structured to enable swift ownership registration and direct enforceability before institutions.

 

Result: a legally clean, predictable transaction with no obstacles in registration or enforcement.

2) Reviewing Real Estate Sale and Purchase Agreements

  • Contract analysis: a detailed review of all provisions to uncover hidden risks or irregularities.
  • Compliance check: ensuring the contract aligns with applicable laws, land registry practice, and court decisions, reducing the risk of annulment or disputes.
  • Amending contentious clauses: identifying unclear provisions and proposing changes that protect client interests.
  • Negotiation support: providing expert assistance in communication with the other party to secure better contract terms.

 

Result: a fully compliant agreement, free of hidden risks, with clear obligations for both parties.

3) Assistance in the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Process

  • Step-by-step guidance: clients receive support throughout all phases, from negotiations to notarization.
  • Documentation management: preparation of all documents for ownership registration and smooth execution.
  • Institutional communication: the lawyer handles contact with the cadaster, banks, and other institutions, easing the process for the client.
  • Fraud prevention: ensuring legal protection from potential fraud, misunderstandings, or misuse during the transaction.

 

Result: a safe purchase process where clients go through all phases with minimal risk and maximum protection.

4) Complex Lease and Property Management Agreements

  • Commercial lease agreements: regulating rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, including maintenance costs.
  • Lease duration and conditions: defining terms, obligations, and termination options to avoid disputes.
  • Property and facility management contracts: regulating management, maintenance, and use of property with protective mechanisms.
  • Protection mechanisms: incorporating clauses for disputes or early termination, safeguarding all parties’ interests.

 

Result: clearly structured agreements preventing misunderstandings and ensuring stable relationships.

5) Representation in Purchases from Developers During Construction

  • Project documentation review: checking construction and planning documents to confirm legality.
  • Land status verification: confirming legal clarity of land and compliance with urban plans.
  • Drafting and negotiating contracts: creating contracts with protective provisions for buyers.
  • Construction risk protection: safeguarding clients in case of delays or issues during construction.

 

Result: purchase of properties under construction without legal or investment risks.

6) Construction and Joint Development Agreements

  • Drafting agreements among participants: regulating relations between landowners, investors, and contractors to clearly specify obligations.
  • Cost and profit sharing: defining financial structure and rights of all parties.
  • Work dynamics and responsibilities: specifying deadlines, obligations, and consequences of non-performance.
  • Dispute resolution clauses: incorporating mechanisms for fair and efficient conflict resolution.

 

Result: a construction project that is legally stable, financially sustainable, and free of long-term disputes.

7) Sale and Purchase of Agricultural Land

  • Ownership and restriction checks: confirming legal status and potential limitations in land transactions.
  • Preemptive rights: applying legal rules to protect the rights of existing users and neighbors.
  • Contract structuring: shaping agreements for seamless and secure transfers.
  • Tax and regulatory aspects: advising clients on taxes and regulations governing agricultural land transfers.

 

Result: a land transaction that is legally secure, tax-optimized, and fully compliant.

8) Termination of Mortgages

  • Documentation preparation: securing all documents required for deletion of a mortgage.
  • Creditor communication: negotiating with banks and other creditors for smooth debt settlement.
  • Legal protection in disputes: representing clients in disagreements over debt repayment or deletion procedures.
  • Process monitoring: overseeing the entire process until final removal of the lien.

 

Result: smooth and complete mortgage termination with assurance of no remaining obligations.

9) Property-Related Disputes

  • Court representation: representing clients in disputes over ownership, possession, or property use.
  • Lease disputes: providing legal support in landlord–tenant conflicts.
  • Alternative dispute resolution: using mediation and negotiation for quicker, more efficient outcomes.
  • Interest protection strategies: designing legal strategies that combine efficiency with long-term client protection.

 

Result: efficiently resolved disputes with preserved property value and safeguarded client interests.

What Collaboration with Us Looks Like

  1. Quick analysis – document review and initial assessment of property status.
  2. Risk mapping – identifying issues and creating a resolution plan.
  3. Implementation – negotiations, contract preparation, and transaction execution.
  4. Operational support – representation, dispute resolution, and continuous legal advice.

Examples of Completed Projects (Non-Confidential)

  • Purchase of a business complex: conducted due diligence, negotiated contracts, resolved property obstacles, and secured transaction closing.
  • Joint construction: prepared contracts between landowners and investors, defined risk allocation, rights, and obligations.
  • Commercial property management: created lease, maintenance, and property management agreements with protective mechanisms for the client.
  • Mortgage deletion: represented a client in mortgage removal proceedings, secured documentation, and completed the process before the registry.
advokat za nekretnine corporate law

Vitomir Žunić

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you provide services to individuals, or only to companies?

Both. Our team represents individuals in purchasing apartments, houses, or land, while also providing equal support to companies engaged in large investment projects.

We tailor our approach to each client, offering individuals security in family investments and companies’ comprehensive legal infrastructure for business development and growth.

Yes. Our team has experience in solving the most complex legal cases, revolving around unresolved ownership, unregistered owners, existing mortgages, restrictive rights, or pending registry procedures.

In such situations, we conduct a detailed risk analysis and create a step-by-step resolution plan until the property is legally clean and ready for transfer.

Yes. We guide clients from the very beginning: purchasing land and obtaining permits, through financing and construction, to leasing, management, and eventual sale of the property.

This ensures smooth project flow and control of legal risks throughout the process.

It depends on the complexity of the property’s legal status and the efficiency of institutions involved (notary, registry, bank).

Simple transactions may be completed within weeks, while more complex ones, especially those with unresolved ownership, may take longer.

Our role is to speed up the process and eliminate obstacles that may cause delays.

Yes. In such cases, it is particularly important to review all project and construction documentation, land status, permits, and the contract with the developer.

We ensure that all developer obligations are clearly defined and that your rights are protected, especially regarding construction deadlines and quality standards. This reduces the risk of delays or future legal issues.

The first step is a thorough check of the property’s legal status in the land registry and other relevant registers.

Our team conducts detailed due diligence to determine if there are mortgages, pending disputes, restrictions on transfer, or other encumbrances that could affect your rights.

Only after these are resolved or contractually secured do we recommend proceeding with the transaction.

The law does not require it, but in practice, legal support is essential for a safe transaction.

A notary certifies the contract but does not conduct in-depth checks of property status nor guarantees against hidden risks.

A real estate lawyer protects your interests by reviewing documentation, anticipating potential issues, and ensuring the entire process runs safely and lawfully.

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