ar what point in the home buying process massachusetts do i need an attorney?

by Prof. Dorthy Fritsch PhD 10 min read

A real estate lawyer is familiar with all aspects of the home purchase process and can represent buyers, sellers or lenders. In states where a lawyer is required to be present at closing, it’s possible that the lawyer is there solely to represent the buyer’s lender.

In Massachusetts, the practice of closing transactions for buyers and sellers when there is a home loan is considered the practice of law; therefore, the settlement agent for any real estate closing involving a lender must be conducted by a licensed attorney.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer to buy a home in Massachusetts?

Before signing any legal documents or contracts an attorney should be consulted to review the documents. Consult an attorney throughout the home buying process to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met in order to reach the final purchase stage. Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral

What is the homebuying process in Massachusetts?

Home buyers must understand the legal documents involved with the home buying process when they are dealing with lenders, Realtors and sellers. An attorney can guide you through the process and help protect your legal interests. It is recommended that you consult with a real estate attorney when you are home buying in Massachusetts.

Do I need a real estate attorney when buying a home?

The Real Estate Buying and Selling Process in Massachusetts ... BEFORE THE CLOSING TO DO LIST . Once the P&S is signed, you need to meet the deadlines that have been established. ... After the sale is "on record" the buyer can get the keys to their new home! The lender's attorney will also take care of paying off the seller's mortgage.

Where is the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community law located?

Do I need an attorney to buy a house in Massachusetts? If you are taking a mortgage to buy a home, the lender will retain an attorney to handle the closing, conduct a title exam, and write the title insurance policies. If you are buying the home in cash, you likely need an attorney to serve in the same capacities.

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Do you need a lawyer when buying a house in Massachusetts?

If you are buying a home in Massachusetts, having both a real estate agent and an attorney by your side will best protect your interests. The reasons are both practical and legal, as this article will discuss.

Is Massachusetts an attorney closing state?

Several states have laws on the books mandating the physical presence of an attorney or other types of involvement at real estate closings, including: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New ...

How much does a real estate attorney cost in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, there are five major closing costs typically paid by the seller: The real estate agent's commission, usually 5% to 6% of the price of the home. The real estate attorney's fee, usually between $800 and $1100. State excise tax stamps, set at roughly 0.456% of the price of the home.

What are the requirement to buy a house in Massachusetts?

Down payment: For a conventional loan, you'll need a down payment of at least 20%. Closing costs: Home buyers typically have to pay 2-5% of the home's price in closing costs. Considering the average home value in Massachusetts is $462,110, that amounts to $9,242-23,106.May 26, 2021

Who prepares the purchase and sale agreement in Massachusetts?

1. The seller's agent or attorney will draft the Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S). This is the more binding legal document that is the official contract to purchase the home.Oct 9, 2016

What does a real estate attorney do for a buyer?

Real estate attorneys know how to, and are legally authorized to, prepare and review documents and contracts related to the sale and purchase of a home. In some cases, a real estate attorney is also the person who'll be in charge of your closing.5 days ago

How much are closing costs in MA 2021?

Closing cost stats in MassachusettsDataValueAverage home sale price$500,000 to $600,000Average total closing cost$7,035.04Expected closing cost range$5,862.53 to $8,442.05Percentage of closing cost to home sale price1.17% to 1.41%May 28, 2021

What are closing costs in MA for buyer?

Closing Costs for Massachusetts Homes: What to Expect As a general rule, buyers should expect to pay 2%–5% of the total purchase price at closing. The median price of homes that sold in the last year is $378,600. If your closing costs are 3%, that amounts to $11,358!Dec 21, 2021

Does the seller pay closing costs?

Does the Buyer or the Seller Pay Closing Costs? Closing costs are paid according to the terms of the purchase contract made between the buyer and seller. Usually the buyer pays for most of the closing costs, but there are instances when the seller may have to pay some fees at closing too.

What happens after signing offer to purchase?

When you sign the offer to purchase, you'll normally stipulate conditions that need to be fulfilled before you can complete the purchase, such as the sale of your current home, or the granting of a mortgage. This gives you time to acquire the necessary funding.

Can I buy a house without a realtor in Massachusetts?

Learn how to for sale by owner (FSBO) in Massachusetts. If you sell or rent your own Massachusetts home (single-family, condo, land, multi-family property) without the assistance of a real estate professional, you're known in the real estate industry as a For Sale by Owner or FSBO.

What is the minimum down payment for a house in Massachusetts?

3 percentHomebuyers must put down a minimum of 3 percent of the purchase price when purchasing a single-family property, condominium, or two-family house. For example, a homebuyer would need a $9,000 down payment for the purchase of a $300,000 home. The borrower must occupy the property.

Step 2 – Meet with Your Buyer’s Agent

  • Choosing a buyer’s agent is an important step in buying a home because this is the person that will guide you throughout the entire buying process. Some buyers believe it’s better to work with the listing agent directly, thinking they’ll get a better deal. But nothing could be further from the truth. The listing agent is obligated to look out for the seller’s interests. A buyer’s agent, on the ot…
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Step 3 – Pre-Approval Process

  • Getting pre-approved for a loan allows you to see how much a bank will actually lend you to purchase a home. This way you won’t waste time looking at homes priced out of your range. Getting pre-approved helps you find out how much a lender will give you, at what rate, and what the terms would be. This is also a good time to find a good mortgage broker. Working with a qua…
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Step 4 – Property Search and Viewings

  • This is the fun part! Our Buyer Advantage Program allows you to have FREE access to every home that is available for sale in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. You’ll also get priority access to the best home bargains in the area, including bank foreclosures, government-owned homes, probate and estate sales, short sales and recent price reductions. Our unique computerized buy…
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Step 5 – Make An Offer

  • One of the most common questions we get is, “How Much Should I an Offer on a Home?” Once you find the perfect home we will submit a written offer on the home. This is another step where you will be glad to have us on your side. Since our buyer’s agents know how to negotiate, they will work to get you the best deal. Keep in mind that contract negotiations are not limited to price, th…
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Step 6 – Choose An Attorney

  • The reason for hiring your attorney now is to get them in contact with the seller’s attorney to draft the Purchase and Sales Agreement. It’s a good idea to find a good real estate attorney when you’re buying a home because unlike a rental lease where there are a lot of laws to protect a tenant, there are no laws that protect the buyer. A good real estate attorney will know what to inc…
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Step 7 – Get A Home Inspection

  • Now that you have secured a property, it is time to schedule the appropriate inspections on the property. We highly recommend buyers spend the money on a home inspection. The report alone is very much worth the cost. The home inspection will be done by a licensed inspector whose job is to make sure the home is structurally sound, all of its systems are working correctly, and if the…
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Step 8 – Purchase and Sale

  • Now that the inspections are complete, a purchase and sale agreement needs to be prepared by the attorneys and both buyer and seller must sign. The Purchase and Sale agreement gives more detail of the transaction, including specifics on the property, the contingencies, and responsibilities of the buyer and seller. View an example of a Purchase and Sales Agreement. Th…
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Step 9 – Closing

  • This is where all the hard work pays off and you become the owner of a home! Before closing, you should have your agent arrange a walk-through of the home to make sure nothing has changed in the property since the purchase and sale agreement was signed. The “walk-through” is usually done the day before or day of closing. During the actual closing, deeds, loan papers, and other d…
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