how to defend your value as a realtor vs real estate attorney

by Dr. Rachael Schulist DDS 6 min read

Do I need a lawyer to review a real estate contract?

 · They may also be required to work over the weekends or late in the evening to suit the client's schedule. Realtors may be self-employed or hired by real estate agencies. Real estate attorneys' work is mostly in the office. They may also be required to attend court sessions and meet clients in their homes.

Do I need a home buying agent or a real estate attorney?

 · Some states require the use of buying agents to ensure fair dealing between buyers and sellers. Instead of (or in addition to) buying agents, homebuyers may also employ real estate attorneys to represent their interests in the purchase of a home. Attorneys are experts in real estate law and can provide guidance on legal issues that may arise.

What is the difference between a realtor and Redfin agent?

 · Let Lubliner Law attorneys serve as the “point person” for all your closing needs. Call us at (561) 207-2018 for a free consultation. commercial real estate attorney Commercial Real Estate Litigation Real Estate disputes real estate law real estate litigation. Post navigation.

How much does it cost to hire a real estate lawyer?

 · Generally, the more complicated your sale, the more you can expect to pay, as it will take your lawyer longer to complete. Most real estate lawyer fees range from $150 to $350 per hour or a flat fee of $500 to $1,500. In this sense, a real estate lawyer is cheaper than an agent, but only provides legal advice and help with paperwork — not the ...

How do I protect myself as a real estate agent?

Below are six ways that you can practice precaution and keep yourself safe throughout each aspect of your job as a real estate agent.Keep Communication Open. ... Take Charge of Your Schedule. ... Settle Open House Apprehension. ... Practice Careful Car Precautions. ... Be Prepared. ... Make Meetings Matter.

Can attorney act as a real estate broker Florida?

Lawyers: Any active member in good standing with the Florida Bar, who is otherwise qualified under the real estate license law, is exempt from the Florida Real Estate Commission 's prescribed prerequisite educational course for licensure as a real estate sales associate.

How do you provide value to real estate clients?

How to Provide Value to your ClientsSend monthly items of value. Everyone loves getting real mail. ... Follow up with a monthly eReport. The monthly eReport is designed to complement your item of value and provides additional information about the topic. ... Reconnect with the Confession Letter.

Can an attorney act as a real estate agent in California?

CONCLUSION. An attorney who is also licensed as a real estate broker may act in both capacities on behalf of a client in connection with the purchase of real property so long as both professions are pursued within the standards of the State Bar of California.

What is the difference between real estate agent and lawyer?

An attorney will be unable to help you prepare a competitive market analysis report, negotiate for repairs, and spot defects during a property visit. A real estate agent, on the other hand, cannot answer legal questions. The law forbids them from providing legal advice.

Do Florida attorneys have to take the real estate exam?

Attorneys who are active members in good standing with the Florida Bar are required to take the 72 hour pre-licensing course for brokers and 60 hour post licensing course for brokers.

How does a realtor show value?

4 ways to secure your consumer value as a real estate agentInformation. Secure your tickets now for in-person & digital events! People find value in raw, honest information. ... Simplicity. Don't overcomplicate the process. ... Authenticity. Be who you are, not what you think a real estate agent should be. ... Trust.

How do you value an estate agent?

Estate agency businesses in general terms have nominal asset value unless the sellers have ownership of their premises. Consequently, they are more commonly valued on: the quantum of their annual residual income. the desirability of their office locations.

Do I need an attorney to sell my house in California?

First and foremost, you absolutely need the assistance of a real estate attorney to ensure the sale is done in compliance with all California laws. Real estate agents cannot give you legal advice, so if you have questions about the sale agreement, or are not using a Realtor, you will need to contact an attorney.

How much does a realtor make in California?

That said, we conducted a survey in 2020 finding the average first-year real estate agent in California earns approximately $41,000, and that number rises to over $104,000 between years four and ten of their career.

What is the maximum amount that will be paid out of the recovery account for a transaction?

Regardless of the number of applicants, payments from the Real Estate Recovery Trust Account may not exceed $50,000 per transaction, with a maximum of $100,000 per license holder for multiple transactions.

What are real estate attorneys?

Real estate attorneys are legal professionals who assist home buyers and sellers complete the property transaction. They handle the legal aspect of property transfer. Unlike other real estate professionals such as agents and brokers, real estate attorneys have knowledge of the legal requirements of property transactions.

What are realtors?

Realtors are professionals in the real estate industry who are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). To become a member of NAR, a real estate agent must subscribe by paying a membership fee, paying annual fees and complying with the Association's code of ethics. Realtors are either real estate brokers or agents.

Differences between real estate attorneys and realtors

Here are the key differences between real estate attorneys and realtors:

What are the obligations of a real estate agent?

A real estate agent’s obligations to his or her client are somewhat limited, and he or she may not necessarily be working in your best interest. For example, a real estate agent can represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction, or could even be the buyer, which obviously could leave you in ...

How do real estate agents get paid?

Real estate agents are usually paid by commission, which they will only receive if the transaction closes. If the transaction doesn’t close, they aren’t paid. This means agents are motivated to “seal the deal,” which on the surface may sound like a good thing. But that motivation may cause an agent to push for a closing that might not be in your best interest.

Do real estate attorneys have a duty to their clients?

Attorneys, on the other hand, have a very clear duty to their clients. The real estate lawyer-client relationship provides for a high degree of privacy and confidentiality, which does not exist in a real estate agent-client relationship. A real estate attorney will be representing you and only you in the buying or selling of a house, ...

Do you need a realtor to buy a home?

Lastly, many transactions may not require a realtor or real estate agent to sell or help buy a home. This especially applies to “For Sale By Owner” arrangements, owner finance arrangements, and other direct buyer-to-seller or seller-to-buyer transactions.

Is a real estate attorney better than a real estate agent?

You can probably infer that a real estate attorney is better equipped to provide you with legal guidance than a real estate agent is. Agents can fill out forms, but they can neither draft forms nor modify existing forms. They also cannot provide legal advice regarding those “standardized forms”—only an attorney can do that.

Who is involved in the transactional phase of a property sale?

Furthermore, while it is typically advisable to hire an agent for the marketing and advertising portion of the sale of your property, it is the real estate lawyers who will typically get involved during the transactional phase.

Can an attorney draw up a contract?

Attorneys, on the other hand, can draw up a contract, explain its terms to you in detail, and give you all the legal counsel you might—and will—need as you go through the process of selling your home.

Why do you need an attorney to review a contract?

Attorneys can be very useful in reviewing contracts. Particularly if you are purchas ing a home without a buying agent, you should have an attorney review the real estate contract to make sure that you will not be subject to terms that unfairly favor the seller.

How much do real estate attorneys make an hour?

Unlike real estate agents, lawyers are paid on an hourly basis, and therein lies the biggest drawback of hiring a real estate lawyer in the purchase of your home — attorney's fees can range from $175-$400 per hour.

Why do you need a buying agent?

It's a relief and an assurance to have an agent who will walk you through the process and look out for your interests. A buyer's agent can be very helpful in hiring home inspectors, negotiating over who will pay for repairs, finding listings, and other matters which are everyday activities for agents but may be foreign to most homebuyers.

How do real estate agents get paid?

How Buying Agents Are Paid. In a typical arrangement, real estate agents are paid through commission — generally around 5% of the home's purchase price. In the common two agent situation (the seller's agent and the buyer's agent), the agents split the 5% and the commission is paid by the seller. Some buyers prefer to pay commission to ...

Why do you pay commission to a buying agent?

Some buyers prefer to pay commission to the buying agent in order to retain the complete loyalty of the agent. However, there is an inherent conflict of interest when the buying agent, who is purportedly representing the homebuyer, is being paid by the seller. Whether or not you choose to pay the buying agent yourself, you shouldn't be shy in asking them directly who the agent really represents.

What is the job of a real estate agent?

Almost all sellers have seller's agents, whose job is to get the very highest price for the property. By working with a buyer's agent, buyers gain knowledge of the industry and familiarity with the particulars of a neighborhood, sellers, contractors, etc. Some states require the use of buying agents to ensure fair dealing between buyers and sellers.

Why do people hire real estate agents?

Buying a new home will likely be the largest and most significant investment of your life, which is why many people choose to hire a real estate agent to assist in the search and negotiate on their behalf. But it is often a good idea — and sometimes necessary — to also work with a real estate attorney.

Should You Hire a Real Estate Agent?

In some instances, a real estate agent can be helpful for navigating the search for a new home. When you are moving from an apartment or other living space to a home for the first time, there are many things to consider, including:

How Can a Real Estate Attorney Help?

Real estate attorneys bring a particular set of skills and experience to the tabling for the closing phase of buying a new home.

What is it Like to Work with a Real Estate Attorney?

As mentioned, a real estate attorney enters the picture when the closing process begins. Your attorney will start by reviewing your contract and negotiating terms. When you’re both satisfied, the process will be underway.

Choose a Professional Florida Real Estate Attorney

If you’re in the market for a new home, Lubliner Law has the experienced team you need to close. Our team includes real estate attorneys with expertise in both buying and selling homes. We offer services in residential and commercial property closings. We’re here to help you through every step of the home buying process.

What is the role of a real estate attorney?

A real estate attorney can fulfill several different roles for a buyer. The primary role is to check that the purchase contract is correct. In addition, they help you understand your purchase contract to ensure that your interests and rights are protected.

Who is responsible for real estate agents actions?

Brokers are responsible for their real estate agents’ actions. In almost every state, a real estate agent must work for or be affiliated with a real estate broker (an individual or a brokerage firm), who is more experienced and licensed to a higher degree. “Most real agents are reputable, honest and hardworking.

What is real estate agent?

Real estate agents are licensed professionals who arrange real estate transactions, putting buyers and sellers together and acting as their representatives in negotiations. “Real estate agents usually are compensated completely by a commission—a percentage of the property’s purchase price, so their income depends on their ability to get a deal closed. In almost every state, a real estate agent must work for or be affiliated with a real estate broker (an individual or a brokerage firm), who is more experienced and licensed to a higher degree. Agents who work for the seller, also known as listing agents, advise clients on how to price the property and prepare it for sale, including providing tips on last-minute improvements that can boost the price or encourage speedy offers.” Investopedia

How do real estate agents get paid?

Real estate agents usually are compensated completely by a commission —a percentage of the property’s purchase price, so their income depends on their ability to get a deal closed. Duel Agent s- Agents enter dual agency when they represent both the seller and the buyer.

What should a seller look for in a lawyer?

The seller should look for a lawyer who has strong negotiating and problem-solving skills. It’s the seller’s lawyer who is needed to quickly solve a problem to save the deal! Working with a real estate attorney can be very helpful when you’re facing a difficult situation, such as a foreclosure or short sell.

What is a listing agent?

Agents who work for the seller, also known as listing agents, advise clients on how to price the property and prepare it for sale, including providing tips on last-minute improvements that can boost the price or encourage speedy offers.”. Investopedia.

How long do you have to search for a new home before contacting a real estate agent?

On average, buyers search on their own for a new home for three weeks before contacting a real estate agent. Responding to a continued national trend of an inventory shortfall, list prices year over year in January 2020 are up nearly 4%. As of 2018, millennials made up 37% of residential buyers.

What does a real estate agent do?

A real estate agent will also help you with other tasks such as hiring inspectors, negotiating with different stakeholders, and drafting contracts.

Is there a real estate attorney in Santa Rosa?

In most cases, a real estate attorney in Santa Rosa, however, does not possess in-depth knowledge regarding specific neighborhoods. An attorney will be unable to help you prepare a competitive market analysis report, negotiate for repairs, and spot defects during a property visit. A real estate agent, on the other hand, ...

Can a real estate agent answer legal questions?

A real estate agent, on the other hand, cannot answer legal questions. The law forbids them from providing legal advice. Both agents and lawyers play an important role in the home buying process. When buying a property, hire an experienced agent who will provide you invaluable advice.

Is it a good idea to buy a house every day?

It is not every day that you buy a home. It is a major life decision and should be carefully planned. When buying a house, rushing your decision is a costly mistake that you do not want to make. Many first-time homebuyers hire a knowledgeable real estate agent who can help them navigate the complicated world of real estate.

What are the skills of a lawyer?

They have their own professional skill set: Marketing and identifying properties, and assessing their current and likely future value. In addition, they get to employ the skills of lawyers - and the law is a far more complicated profession.

When competing against other offers, the offer needs to be as "clean" as possible?

When competing against other offers, the offer needs to be as "clean" as possible. And an offer written by an attorney, without an agent involved, is not seen that way. If it's the only offer, this tiny issue is resolved immediately. If you're in a bidding war, this tiny issue makes it even harder to win.

Can a listing agent work with you?

The seller will be happy to work with you - but the listing agent? Well, he will gnash his teeth a little, but he'll get over it. Yes, he might have a little extra work, like giving you a tour or house-sitting for your inspection. But like the seller , the listing agent wants to sell, period.

Is it tough to buy a house?

On the other hand, it's a tough world out there for buyers. Buying a home oftentimes means having to outbid other buyers. So with every house on the market, there is one winner and a whole bunch of losers. Ouch.

Is there a free website to find the market value of a home?

And there, too, the internet offers an alternative. No, don't rely on the Zestimate! But Zillow, Surefield , Redfin, and other web sites offer free tools to assist in determining the market value of a home.

Is there a way to find house listings?

These days, house listings are online. It didn't used to be that way. A century ago, when the industry evolved, real estate brokers kept their own private list of what was for sale. If you wanted to know what was for sale, you had one option: hire a realtor.

Key differences between Redfin Agents and realtors

Redfin agents earn a salary, as opposed to a percentage-based commission for each sale

Hire the individual agent, not the brand!

Every real estate brokerage, from Keller Williams to Coldwell Banker, is going to have a mix of great agents and not-so-great ones. Redfin is no exception.

Is selling with Redfin a good idea?

Redfin does offer some real savings, usually around 20-30% compared to a conventional real estate transaction.

Alternatives to Redfin and traditional realtors

After comparing Redfin agents vs. realtors, you're likely wondering if there's a middle ground.

Redfin vs. realtor: FAQs

Absolutely! Redfin Agents are fully licensed agents, realtors, and brokers. Learn more about working with Redfin.