what to ask a closing attorney before picking

8 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Closing Attorney 1. How Long Have You Been Practicing? First things first, you’re going to want to ensure that your chosen attorney is... 2. Will Anyone Else Be Working on My Case? When it comes to your specific case, you’ll want to know exactly who is... 3. What Is ...

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What are the best questions to ask your closing attorney?

8 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Closing Attorney 1. How Long Have You Been Practicing? First things first, you’re going to want to ensure that your chosen attorney is... 2. Will Anyone Else Be Working on My Case? When it comes to your specific case, you’ll want to …

Do I need a real estate attorney to administer a closing?

Apr 09, 2015 · Ask follow-up questions, such as where and when any similar cases went to trial and their results, to ensure the attorney really knows the subject matter. Two: Do you practice in the courthouse where my case is (or will be)?

What should I look for when hiring a real estate attorney?

May 03, 2018 · How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else Can I get a rebate on the real estate commission when I buy an apartment in NYC? Is the commission negotiable? Buying for the first time in NYC? Be sure to prep your finances first 10 steps to creating a stellar co-op or condo board application 2022 NYC real estate forecast: Buyers look over their shoulders, …

What questions should I ask my lawyer during a consultation?

Mar 11, 2019 · Choosing the right closing attorney can reduce stress associated with buying a home and provide superior protection to your investment. Here are some things to look for in a great closing attorney: Real Estate Experience – Real estate law is very complex and specific. Selecting an attorney that practices exclusively real estate law is important to ensure a …

What questions should I ask at closing?

Six questions to ask before closingWhen should I schedule my pre-closing inspection? ... What is a title search? ... What can I expect my closing costs to be? ... Who should attend the closing? ... What do I need to bring to the closing? ... What should I get from the sellers at closing?Feb 15, 2015

When purchasing a business you should always have an attorney at the closing who represents both sides?

When it comes to buying and selling property, a real estate attorney can either represent the buyer or the seller. One attorney cannot do both. And when the buyer needs to borrow money for a mortgage, the real estate attorney who does the closing doesn't represent either the buyer or the seller, but rather the lender.Sep 15, 2016

How should a seller prepare for a closing?

Gather your closing documents. ... Notify everyone you are moving. ... Cancel your insurance. ... Cancel utilities. ... Clean thoroughly. ... Put all the keys, remotes, etc., in one place. ... Collect all the manuals, warranties, and receipts for appliances. ... Shut off valves.More items...•Sep 11, 2017

How do you evaluate a business before buying?

Determining Your Business's Market ValueTally the value of assets. Add up the value of everything the business owns, including all equipment and inventory. ... Base it on revenue. How much does the business generate in annual sales? ... Use earnings multiples. ... Do a discounted cash-flow analysis. ... Go beyond financial formulas.

What documents should you ask for when buying a business?

Here are some of the must-have documents when doing due diligence in the process of considering whether to buy a business:Business licenses and permits. ... Organizational paperwork and certificate of good standing. ... Zoning laws. ... Environmental regulations. ... Letter of intent. ... Contracts and leases. ... Business financials.More items...

What is a closing checklist?

A list of things to be done and items to be delivered before a transaction can be closed. Responsibility for each item is typically allocated among the parties on the checklist. The status of each item is updated periodically and circulated to the parties in preparation for closing.

What to expect when closing on a house?

What Happens at Closing? On closing day, the ownership of the property is transferred to you, the buyer. This day consists of transferring funds from escrow, providing mortgage and title fees, and updating the deed of the house to your name.

What to do when you have sold your house?

Ten things to do after you sell your propertyArrange a removals company. ... Have a clear out – De-junk your life. ... Check what's included in the sale. ... Tell people you're moving. ... Create a guide to your house. ... Leave it clean and tidy. ... Get kids and pets to a safe place. ... Get essentials together in one place.More items...

What is a real estate closing?

A real estate closing is often a nerve-wracking experience for both the buyer and seller. Typically, a large amount of money changes hands during closing and both parties to the transaction have done a lot of work leading up to the closing date. Plus, real estate contracts tend to be full of legal jargon that can be difficult for ...

What is the job of a lawyer?

It is your lawyer’s job to give you legal advice about your legal matter. That is the reason that you are paying him or her to represent you in a real estate closing. As a result, you should cooperate with your lawyer and take his or her advice for the best possible outcome in your case.

What is general practice law?

Many lawyers have a general law practice, meaning that they handle many different types of cases. Real estate law tends to be one area of the law that many general practice attorneys frequently handle. Contact the bar association in your state.

Do attorneys offer free initial consultations?

Many attorneys offer free initial consultations, so schedule appointments with those attorneys whom your friends, family members, or colleagues recommended. When you go to these appointments, your main goal is to get a sense of the attorney’s experience in handling real estate transactions.

What happens when you meet with a lawyer?

When you meet with a lawyer for an initial consultation, you get to hear them talk and see how they handle questions. As a possible client, they are going to roll out the red carpet for you.

What is the future of real estate?

The future of your real estate transaction depends on the questions you ask. A real estate attorney who answers confidently can make your life easier. The right real estate legal professional can answer your questions, review documents, and argue cases for you in court. Don't wait any longer. Get the right attorney who will fight ...

Who is Bryan DeBruin?

Bryan De Bruin is a Real Estate and Business Law attorney serving Greenville, SC and the surrounding upstate. Bryan is proud to guide clients through the legal process and makes sure that every client understands each phase of their case, so that they are prepared for what happens next.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.

The firm

Besides real estate law, what else do you do? (Best answer: Just real estate. Worst: Personal injury.)

Intangibles

Gauge the response time to your questions. Slow isn't good. It could cost you your deal.

What do closing attorneys do?

Closing attorneys provide a myriad of services before, during and after a closing. Among other duties, they review and certify title, review/prepare/record the deed, obtain and payoff existing mortgages, order and payoff municipal bills and prorated taxes, collect smoke/CO detector certificates, prepare all the documents to be signed at closing , including seller certificates and declarations, and track mortgage discharges.

What is a closing attorney in Massachusetts?

That settlement agent is often called the “closing attorney.”. If you're moving to Massachusetts, this part of the closing process may be different than the state you're moving from. The legal fees for the closing attorney is one of several closing costs a homebuyer is responsible for paying at closing. That closing attorney represents the lender, ...

Who is involved in closing a real estate transaction?

In most real estate transactions, there are a lot of parties involved – sellers, buyers, listing agents, buyer agents, loan officers, processors, underwriters, home inspectors, appraisers, insurance agents … and then attorneys. Assuming the seller and buyer each have separate legal representation, then the closing attorney not only has ...

What is a note in a mortgage?

The note is a contract for the homebuyer/borrower to repay the loan based on the legal terms of the note. And the mortgage is a security instrument that a borrower gives to the lender allowing it to foreclose on the property, if the covenants and agreements in the note and mortgage are not met. The reason why a buyer has to pay for ...

What is a settlement agent in Massachusetts?

Most homebuyers that purchase a home in Massachusetts obtain a mortgage loan from a lender. The person/company that handles the closing (transfer of title) for the lender is known as the settlement agent. 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. That settlement agent is often called the “closing attorney.” If you're moving to Massachusetts, this part of the closing process may be different than the state you're moving from.