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Contemporary Real Estate Law, Fourth Edition

Authors
  • C. Kerry Fields
  • Kevin C. Fields
Series / Business Law Series
Description
Table of contents
Preface

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Contemporary Real Estate Law, Fourth Edition contains all the traditional topics in real estate law as well as the fresh, current information needed by real estate practitioners, brokers, investors, developers, homeowners, and anyone interested in the dynamic field of real estate. The authors focus on teaching the legal principles that create both rights enjoyed and the corresponding duties imposed upon parties to a real estate transaction. The accessible writing style combined with thoughtful pedagogy makes this text ideal for undergraduate students. Features include chapter outlines, objectives, and concept summaries; opening scenarios to prompt class discussion; thoughtful exercises; marginal definitions; legal terms in bolded text; and key terms, problems, and assignments at the end of each chapter for review. Contemporary Real Estate Law features the best and most current cases on each topic from courts across the United States. Exercises throughout the book challenge students to apply the law to real-world settings, and the “Focus on Ethics” sections highlight managerial decisions. Time-tested real estate forms and practice tips are provided to stimulate class discussion.

New to the Fourth Edition:

  • New feature in every chapter, "AI in Action," which provides students with opportunities to incorporate AI tools into practical assignments.
  • Updated cases, examples, figures, and forms.

Key Features:

  • Clear, logical organization, structured into four learning units:
    • Part I, Real Property Interests, introduces students to real property, including the basic rights and interests constituting real property, how they can be possessed, and how those interests may be described.
    • In Part II, students become familiar with how real estate is purchased, financed, and conveyed.
    • Part III discusses how property is owned, operated, insured, and conveyed.
    • Part IV covers special real estate concepts, including zoning and land use; real estate taxation; construction law; bankruptcy aspects involved in real estate transactions and financing, and environmental law.
  • Many case-based examples throughout the text ensure students can apply the principles they learn.
  • Written with the student in mind, keeping legal theory to a minimum and introducing the practical applications of concepts in a logical manner.
  • “Management Applications” exercises challenge students to apply the law to real-world situations.
  • “Focus on Ethics” feature encourages students to think about ethical implications of decisions.
  • Forms throughout the chapters help stimulate class discussion.
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Table of contents

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

Contents 
About the Authors
Preface 
What Is Special About This Text 
Acknowledgments 


Part I: Real Property Interests 
Chapter 1: Introduction to Real Estate Law 
Chapter 2: Real Property Rights and Interests 
Chapter 3: Easements and Other Nonpossessory Rights 
Chapter 4: Fixtures and Secured Transactions 
Chapter 5: Real Property Estates and Interests 
Chapter 6: Land Descriptions 
Part II: Purchasing, Financing, and Conveying
Real Estate 
Chapter 7: Agency and Real Estate Brokers 
Chapter 8: The Purchase Contract 
Chapter 9: Valuation and Financing of Real Estate 
Chapter 10: Deeds, Title, and Closing 
Chapter 11: Defaults, Workouts, and Foreclosures 
Part III: Owning, Operating, and Insuring
Real Estate 
Chapter 12: Ownership of Real Property 
Chapter 13: Multiunit Dwellings and Property Management 
Chapter 14: Residential and Commercial Leases 
Chapter 15: Insuring Real Property 
Chapter 16: Transfers by Operation of Law and Gift 
Chapter 17: Transfers After Death: Wills, Intestacy, Trusts, and
Probate 
Part IV: Special Topics 
Chapter 18: Zoning and Land Use Issues 
Chapter 19: Real Estate Taxation 
Chapter 20: Construction Law and Remedies 
Chapter 21: Bankruptcy and Restructuring Transactions 
Chapter 22: Environmental Law and Real Estate Transactions 


Appendix 
Glossary 
Table of Cases 
Index 

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About the authors
C. Kerry Fields
University of Southern California

C. Kerry Fields is a professor at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, where he teaches courses in employment law and in business law. He is also a practicing attorney who has represented employers in administrative forums and federal and state courts with respect to employment and discrimination claims and has tried many cases to verdict in the state and federal courts. When he is not teaching, he spends his law practice time assisting business managers in identifying and solving business problems. He has received a number of teaching awards and is a frequent media commentator on issues in employment law and business ethics. Professor Fields received his bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law.

Kevin C. Fields
University of Southern California

Kevin Fields teaches business law and real estate law to USC Marshall's undergraduates as Associate Professor of Clinical Finance and Business Economics. Professor Fields is a practicing attorney specializing in business litigation and representing clients in business and real estate transactions. He has tried real estate, employment, and real estate business cases in state and federal courts and administrative forums. He is also a licensed California broker. In 2012 he received Gamma Sigma Alpha's Professor of the Year Award. He is a co-author of Contemporary Real Estate Law, a real estate law textbook for undergraduate and graduate business schools scheduled for national release in 2013.

Product Information
Edition
Fourth Edition
Publication date
2026-02-13
Copyright Year
2026
Pages
672
LLPOD
9798894102962
eBook
9798894102948
Print + eBook
9798894102931
Subject
Business Law , Real Estate and Land Use
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