In this episode of Stolen, Attorney Chad Brown and co-host Caleb Wheeler dive into the top 10 legal issues every commercial property owner should understand when facing an eminent domain case. From highest and best use to lease complications and business impact, they break down what really affects valuation, compensation, and the future of a business when the government takes commercial property.

00:00 – Overview of commercial eminent domain and income-producing properties. 01:30 – How property value changes based on legal and profitable use. 04:50 – Understanding functionality and income loss after a taking. 07:30 – How zoning compliance can affect damages and compensation. 09:40 – Determining before-and-after property values. 11:10 – Who receives compensation when leased commercial property is taken. 13:00 – Visibility, compensable damages, and expert evaluations. 15:00 – The effect of limited access, parking, and construction easements. 18:30 – Federal and state relocation assistance for displaced businesses. 20:00 – Unique valuation issues and the five key steps to protect your business.

Stolen: The World’s Greatest Eminent Domain Podcast exposes how the government can legally take private property — and how to fight back. Hosted by Attorney Chad Brown, each episode helps property owners understand their rights, maximize compensation, and protect what’s theirs.

In this episode of Stolen, Attorney Chad Brown breaks down the key differences between residential and commercial eminent domain cases. He explains how the same constitutional principles apply but with added layers of complexity — including multiple property interests, business income evaluations, fixtures, and relocation issues. From understanding valuation methods to handling severance damages and relocation rights, Chad highlights what property and business owners must know when facing government takings in commercial settings.

00:00 – Chad Brown introduces the shift from residential to commercial eminent domain cases. 02:00 – Explains what qualifies as a commercial property and how it differs from residential. 04:30 – Outlines shared constitutional rights, valuation methods, and compensation standards. 06:30 – Discusses cost, income capitalization, and sales comparison approaches. 09:30 – Covers how “highest and best use” determines fair compensation. 11:00 – Explains why property value changes due to the project itself aren’t considered. 13:00 – Reviews access issues, traffic impact, and valuation loss for businesses. 15:00 – Talks about tenant relocation rights and full takings in commercial properties. 17:30 – Discusses multiple ownership interests, leases, and allocations of proceeds. 20:00 – Explains how business-specific fixtures and property uses affect compensation. 23:00 – Emphasizes the importance of expert help, patience, and strategic case handling.

Stolen is the leading podcast on eminent domain law, hosted by Attorney Chad Brown. Each episode helps property owners understand their rights when the government takes private property — breaking down complex legal topics into clear, practical advice that ensures fair compensation and protection under the law.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Stolen, Attorney Chad Brown explains how mortgages are affected when the government takes private property through eminent domain. He breaks down how loans, security interests, and compensation interact during partial or full takings — and what homeowners should do to protect themselves. From understanding bank rights to managing payouts, Chad provides clear guidance on how to handle mortgage-related issues in condemnation cases.

Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Overview of the topic: how eminent domain impacts residential mortgages. 01:30 – Explanation of mortgage structure, liens, and how banks secure their interests. 03:00 – Discussion of each party’s rights and obligations in mortgage agreements. 05:30 – How banks protect their loans and what “collateral” means for property owners. 08:00 – Why a mortgage doesn’t change your property’s valuation in condemnation cases. 10:00 – How losing part of your property affects the mortgage and the bank’s security interest. 12:30 – When and why banks may require a portion of eminent domain settlements to pay down loans. 15:00 – How lenders determine risk after a taking reduces property value. 17:00 – How to handle payouts, documentation, and communication with your lender. 19:00 – Options for restructuring loans after a property loss or partial payment. 21:30 – What homeowners can access if their property is fully taken and paid off by compensation. 23:00 – Why early communication with banks and attorneys is key in eminent domain cases.

About the Show: Stolen is the world’s leading eminent domain podcast hosted by Attorney Chad Brown. The show educates property owners on their rights when the government or utility companies take — or damage — private property. Each episode simplifies complex legal issues to help owners protect what’s theirs and secure the compensation they deserve.