how much does a real estate attorney charge for home sale

by Carolyn Ebert PhD 5 min read

Legal fees for real estate transactions vary nationwide based on location, law firm, and the complexity of the home sale. According to Thumbtack

Thumbtack

Thumbtack is an online service that matches customers with local professionals. Currently, Thumbtack lists 1,100 types of services in categories such as home, wellness, events, and lessons.

, which collects millions of estimates their website visitors receive from local professionals for various real estate services, a real estate attorney costs $150 to $450 per hour.

Fixed hourly rate: A real estate attorney who charges an hourly rate may charge $150 – $350 per hour, but this can vary a lot depending on how experienced the attorney is and what area you're in.

Full Answer

What is the average cost of a real estate attorney?

May 21, 2020 · By now, you may be thinking “that’s all well and good, but how much should a real estate attorney cost in actual dollars?” On average, closing attorneys cost between $500 and $3,000 dollars. Attorneys acting privately on behalf of …

How much do real estate attorneys make per closing?

How much does a realtor charge to sell your home?

How do you become a real estate attorney?

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What to do when selling a house with tenants?

You will also want to contact an attorney if you are selling a property that has tenants. There are a myriad of local and state laws when it comes to tenants rights.

What can a real estate attorney do?

A real estate attorney can help you through all of the paperwork required to make the sale. He or she usually comes in after you have determined the selling price and terms of the sale. Even in states where you are not required to hire a lawyer, you may want an attorney to look over the contract.

How to stop foreclosure?

They may be able to find a way to stop foreclosure through an injunction. You may also want to hire an attorney if you are going through a divorce or separation. The attorney can help you negotiate the sale with an uncooperative partner.

What are the laws regarding tenant rights?

There are a myriad of local and state laws when it comes to tenants rights. Most have legal requirements that you must meet (and notices that you must provide to tenants) before tenants have to vacate. The last thing that you want is a legal entanglement due to your rental unit.

What does a clever partner agent do?

After all, no one wants a dispute over a home sale to end up in court. A Clever Partner Agent can help you determine if and when you need an attorney. He or she will also be able to suggest reliable legal resources and refer you to a lawyer that you can depend on.

How to hire a real estate attorney?

You might be wondering what you’re paying for when you hire a real estate attorney. Typically, a real estate attorney will: 1 Draft your contract or purchase and sale agreement (PSA). 2 Negotiate your contract with the seller’s attorney if necessary. 3 Make sure all title documentation is accounted for and remedy any problems. 4 Draft the deed that needs to be recorded. 5 Draft the closing HUD-1 or settlement statement, which is a document that accounts for all of the costs involved in the home sale. 6 Ensure all documents involved in the home sale go on record.

What is the difference between a realtor and a real estate agent?

A real estate agent, or realtor, is tasked with marketing a property for sale or finding a property for a buyer, Romer said, while an attorney is enlisted to ensure someone’s legal rights are protected during a home sale. Real estate agents are paid based on commission , while attorneys are paid a separate legal fee that is typically a flat rate, he said.

How much does a real estate lawyer charge?

Real estate lawyers typically charge a flat fee, which ranges from $750 to $1,250, Reischer said. Although there shouldn’t be any hidden fees, Romer said there are always carve-outs and exceptions.

Do you need a real estate attorney to close a house?

Some states require a real estate attorney for closing, while others don’t. In states that don’t require an attorney, it’s still a good idea to consider hiring one to help make sure everything is in good order. How much does a real estate attorney cost may factor into your decision-making given how many costs are associated with closing on a house .

Should I hire a lawyer for a real estate sale?

Other reasons a buyer might hire a lawyer for a real estate sale include:

Why do lawyers use add ons?

More upstanding attorneys will use add-ons to cover the cost of one-off services not included in the package or flat service you contracted for.

Do you need a lawyer for a home sale?

Some states require that every home sale involve an attorney. Others require lawyers only in certain circumstances , such as when there are legal disputes over the ownership of the home in question. In most cases, these laws call for “closing attorneys” specifically.

Why are attornies so expensive?

Attornies, like everything else, cost more in states with higher costs of living. They are also generally more expensive in states with heavier bureaucratic and legal burdens built into the home sale process.

What is package deal?

Package deals are similar to flat fees. Attorneys who offer a variety of flat-fee services may bundle related services that buyers or sellers frequently buy together into discounted packages for everyone’s convenience.

How much does a closing attorney charge?

These fees can be in the form of a dollar amount or a percentage. For example, a closing attorney may charge $1,000 or one percent of closing costs as their standard fee.

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