attorney who works with real estate agetns

What does a lawyer specialize in real estate?

Dec 10, 2021 · Real Estate Lawyers: An Overview . Many states require a real estate attorney be present at closing. Even if your state does not require one, you might want a real estate attorney to be there for you.

How do I find a real estate lawyer?

How to find the right real estate attorney. Like any professional relationship, finding the right representative is key. Here are two common ways sellers find their real estate lawyers. 1. Referrals. From your agent: Experienced real estate agents often have a list of attorneys they work with regularly and recommend. They may even have a referral for an attorney who is an …

Do I need an attorney for a real estate transaction?

Explore the Justia Lawyer Directory. The Justia Lawyer Directory is designed to simplify the process of researching, comparing, and contacting attorneys in your city, county, or state who fit your legal needs. Start exploring our listings of real estate lawyers near you today.

Should you use a lawyer when buying a home?

For the most part, a real estate agent's help is not legally required, though agents can help you with tasks that border on legal ones, such as preparing a home purchase contract. In a few states, however, such as New York and Massachusetts, only a lawyer is allowed to prepare the home purchase documents, perform a title search, and/or close ...

Why do you need an attorney for real estate?

An attorney helps you protect your investment and assets while ensuring you’re conducting your side of the transaction legally — which can prevent costly missteps. Real estate attorneys are required in many states, but even if you aren’t legally required to use an attorney while selling, it can be a good idea.

What is a real estate attorney?

Real estate attorneys help oversee home sales, from the moment the contract is signed through the negotiating period (aptly called the “attorney review”) to closing. A seller’s attorney reviews sales contracts, communicates terms in a professional manner and attends closings to prevent mishaps. Selling a home is a complex process ...

How much does a real estate attorney charge?

How much does a real estate attorney cost? How much you’ll pay for real estate attorney fees depends on your market and how involved they are in the transaction, but they typically charge a flat rate of $800 to $1,200 per transaction. Some attorneys charge hourly, ranging from $150 to $350 per hour.

Do you need an attorney for a closing?

In 21 states and the District of Columbia, attorneys are legally required as part of the closing process. Attorney-required states include: As a best practice, if the other party in your transaction has a lawyer representing them and supporting their best interests, you should too.

What to do if you inherited a home?

An attorney can help you navigate the complexities. Estate sale: If you inherited the home you’re selling, hiring an attorney to sort through ownership documents can ease the burden, which is especially helpful when you’re grieving the loss of a family member.

What is the job of a home inspector?

Their job is to make sure the buyer knows about everything that may need to be repaired on the home. Sellers also sometimes hire an inspector to do a pre-inspection so they can make any necessary repairs before putting the house on the market.

What is justia directory?

The Justia Lawyer Directory is designed to simplify the process of researching, comparing, and contacting attorneys in your city, county, or state who fit your legal needs. Start exploring our listings of real estate lawyers near you today.

How to set up a consultation with a real estate attorney?

You can set up a consultation by phone or online after providing some initial details about your case. The consultation helps the client and the attorney decide whether they are the right fit for each other. Even if you are impressed by an attorney’s credentials and achievements, you should not choose them on that basis alone. Instead, you should make sure to work with a lawyer whom you can trust and who relates well to you. You should feel that your lawyer is personally invested in your situation, rather than treating you as just another case number. Ideally, you should set up consultations with several attorneys before deciding whom to hire.

Can a real estate attorney help with litigation?

Thus, real estate attorneys may offer litigation services as well as transactional advice. Deciding who is the right lawyer for you can be challenging. A basic Google search can be a good place to start, but this should be only a first step.

Why is client review important?

Client reviews can be helpful even if the details of your case are different from a previous client’s case. However, beware of very brief reviews that are harshly negative or effusively positive without providing details.

Do real estate attorneys charge an hourly fee?

While many real estate lawyers charge an hourly fee, others charge a fixed fee for a certain service in its entirety. You are more likely to pay an hourly fee if you are involved in complex litigation over your property rights, while a fixed fee is more common for document preparation, a standard closing, or other basic parts of the purchase and sale process. If you are buying a home in a state that requires an attorney to be present at the closing, the attorney fee will be included in the closing costs. The purchase and sale contract will determine who pays these costs, or how they are divided. Any fee arrangement should be clearly set out in the representation agreement so that you understand your obligations.

Why do you need a real estate agent?

One of the best reasons to hire a real estate agent is that the sellers are likely to use their own agent— and you want to keep that agent from taking over the process. In fact, the seller's agent might pressure you to let him or her represent both seller and buyer, in a " dual agency " relationship that primarily benefits the seller.

How much commission does a seller pay?

The seller typically pays the commission to both the seller's agent and your agent—usually around 5% of the sales price, to be split between the two agents. This percentage isn't cast in stone, however. For example, the seller might negotiate the percentage down if the house is particularly expensive.

Do not sell personal information?

Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It's no secret that real estate agents earn high commissions. Although the commission is usually paid by the seller, the cost may be indirectly passed on to you. And real estate lawyers charge exorbitant hourly rates.

Do you need an attorney to buy real estate?

Except in states where it's mandated, an ordinary real estate transaction doesn't require an attorney's help. By now, real estate transactions are so standardized that most people in your state will use the exact same purchase contract, just filling in a few blanks.

Can a real estate agent answer a legal question?

However, legal issues might arise that your real estate agent can't answer. In that case, you'll need an attorney's help. Although good agents know a lot about the negotiating and contracting part of the process, they can't make judgments on legal questions. For example, what if your prospective new home has an illegal in-law unit ...

Do real estate agents get paid?

Real estate agents normally work on commission, not salary. They receive their slice only after your home search is over, the contract negotiated, and the transaction complete. (In many cases, they end up doing a lot of work for nothing, perhaps because the buyers lost interest or can't close the deal.)

What happens when a real estate broker leaves the firm?

Occasionally, a dispute will arise between a real estate salesperson and his or her real estate broker over the payment of commissions. These controversies often occur when a salesperson leaves a real estate brokerage firm or when the brokerage ceases operations. The payment of commissions is usually governed by an independent contractor agreement between the broker and the salesperson. If a dispute arises, either party may wish to obtain legal counsel. Call us for a free phone consultation. We represent both salespersons and brokers in these matters.

Who is Leighton Hyde?

Please call my office today for a free consultation. 813-870-9555. Attorney Leighton Hyde has been a Realtor® for nineteen years and has filled the roles of agent, broker, and owner of a real estate brokerage firm. The Law Firm of Leighton J. Hyde offers a variety of services to assist real estate agents and brokers, including:

Why do you need a real estate agent?

One of the best reasons to hire a real estate agent is that the sellers are likely to use their own agent — and you want to keep that agent from taking over the process. In fact, the seller’s agent may pressure you to let him or her represent both of you, in a “dual agency” relationship that primarily benefits the seller. (The less scrupulous sellers’ agents don’t make it clear that they’re working for both people, but if only one agent is involved in your transaction, it’s fair to assume that the agent’s loyalties are with the seller.) It’s better to have your own agent than settle for dual agency.

What is the process of buying a house?

The process of buying a house is complex, and most people find it’s easiest to get through with an agent by their side. Paperwork will be flying around like a small tornado, and it can be helpful to have someone familiar with the process to deal with it. Other parts of the transaction will be happening quickly too — hiring inspectors, negotiating over who pays for needed repairs, and more — all of which is second nature to an experienced agent. What’s more, experienced real estate agents usually have contacts with good inspectors, mortgage loan brokers, and others who can make your buying process easier.

Do real estate agents get paid?

It’s no secret that real estate agents earn high commissions. Although the commission is usually paid by the seller, the cost may be indirectly passed on to you. And real estate lawyers charge exorbitant hourly rates. This raises the question — do you need a real estate agent or attorney to help you buy a home?

Do you need an attorney to buy real estate?

Except in states where it’s mandated, an ordinary real estate transaction doesn’t require an attorney’s help. By now, real estate transactions are so standardized that most people in your state will use the exact same purchase contract, just filling in a few blanks.