who chooses the attorney to write a purchase asset agreement

by Dr. Demarcus McGlynn PhD 9 min read

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. It is a “cookie cutter” type standard document. 2. Your real estate will review the P&S with you and make a few edits and add some of my own language to protect you.

Full Answer

How do I negotiate an asset purchase agreement?

The first and most important step towards a successful agreement is to have it negotiated and drafted by a competent and knowledgeable attorney. The attorneys at Trembly Law have helped many other businesses and individuals navigate the asset purchase process while securing and protecting their interests.

Who draws up the purchase agreement for a home that is for sale?

Who Draws Up the Purchase Agreement for a Home That Is For Sale by Owner? The seller’s agent is typically the person who draws up a real estate purchase agreement. But what happens if the home is for sale by owner (or FSBO) and the owner isn’t represented by a real estate agent at all?

Can a conveyancing attorney choose between the seller and the buyer?

Attorney and director of MDW Inc, Meyer De Waal says, “The conveyancer has a duty of care towards the seller and the purchaser. The conveyancing attorney cannot choose between the seller or the purchaser.

What are the terms of an asset purchase agreement?

Both the seller and buyer agree to certain terms in an asset purchase agreement. A simple asset sales agreement is used when finishing a transaction where the assets of the company are sold to a buyer. This buyer can purchase all the assets or just a portion of them. The agreement may be as simple as giving the buyer a bill of sale.

Who can help a buyer with a real estate contract?

Buyers can have real estate agreements drawn up by a real estate attorney or agent. A title company or Realtor can help the buyer find someone to write a contract if necessary. If the seller doesn’t have an agent lined up to draft the purchase contract, the buyer’s own real estate agent can take care of the transaction paperwork as ...

What is a purchase contract?

As a real estate buyer, a purchase contract is one of the first steps toward closing the sale. “In layman’s terms, a purchase contract is simply the written contract between the buyer and seller outlining the terms of the sale,” Hardy explains.

What is land contract?

A land contract is used when the owner provides financing when going to sell, so that you do not have to get a mortgage elsewhere to purchase the property. The contract stipulates the amount of the loan, the interest rate, and what happens if you fall behind on property taxes or payments. You and the seller can negotiate the terms of the agreement, ...

What is a seller's agent?

The seller’s agent is typically the person who draws up a real estate purchase agreement. But what happens if the home is for sale by owner (or FSBO) and the owner isn’t represented by a real estate agent at all? A FSBO sale can occur in a seller’s market or when sellers want to maximize their profits on a sale by not having to pay a commission ...

Is the cost of drawing up a purchase contract included in the closing cost?

The cost of drawing up a purchase contract is typically included in the real estate seller’s commission fee, paid at closing from escrow as part of closing costs. However, if an owner doesn’t have a real estate agent because it’s a FSBO, and the buyer’s agent is doing the work of preparing the transaction, that doesn’t mean ...

Can you negotiate with a seller?

You and the seller can negotiate the terms of the agreement, including the interest rate on the loan. Keep in mind that certain states do not allow dual agency in real estate transactions, and that some states see it as an ethical dilemma. If you as the buyer decide to use a transactional agent for the contract, ...

What are the disadvantages of an asset purchase agreement?

The major disadvantage of an asset purchase agreement, as opposed to a share purchase agreement is that each item must be transferred in accordance with its proper rules and made enforceable against third parties (eg through consents and approvals).

Why do buyers prefer to buy assets?

This is because an asset purchase enables a buyer to pick exactly which assets they are buying and identify precisely those liabilities they wish to take over.

What does the buyer need to do to protect his goodwill?

The buyer will usually require the inclusion of restrictive covenants into the agreement, such as a non-competition clause.

Is VAT a chargeable asset?

payment of VAT, is applicable. VAT is chargeable on the transfer of most assets used in a business, assuming that the seller is a taxable person. assignments and novations of contracts with customers and suppliers. administrative matters such as insurance, payroll, PAYE, VAT and pensions. Millie Johnson.

What is an asset purchase agreement?

The asset purchase agreement can go into detail about purchase conditions, escrow terms, and price. The inventory of the assets can also be listed here. Both the seller and buyer agree to certain terms in an asset purchase agreement.

Why is a purchase agreement template important?

It's also helpful to have when assets of a business are being sold and the terms of the sale need to be defined. A purchase agreement template is a contract for the purchase and sale of assets of a company.

What is the difference between asset and asset sale?

It should be differentiated if it's a stock purchase or an asset sale, for example. An asset sale is where the business' assets are transferred to a new owner without the actual ownership of the business being transferred. If assets are being sold to keep the business operations going, businesses can sell fixed assets if they don't have any other value to the company.

What is asset sale?

An asset sale is where the business' assets are transferred to a new owner without the actual ownership of the business being transferred. If assets are being sold to keep the business operations going, businesses can sell fixed assets if they don't have any other value to the company.

What is the purpose of a simple assist sales agreement?

Specific language should be used in the simple assist sales agreement that talks about the buyer's responsibility for liabilities that may be attached to the assets. If there are outstanding bills with suppliers or vendors, it should be agreed on before the sale closes if the buyer will assume the liabilities.

What is warranty in contract?

Any warranties for goods that were shipped must also be listed in the contract, including language talking about how long the company is liable for damage to any goods that have been delivered. Any extra provisions that were attached to a sale need to be clearly defined in the agreement.

What is goodwill in a contract?

Goodwill. Contact information for personnel and vendors who are being transferred in the agreement. Tangible assets can be listed separately or talked about in the agreement. These include office furniture, computers, literature, inventory, phone systems, tools, and fixtures.

Who is liable for paying the estate agent commission?

There is also the relationship between the seller and the estate agent. The seller is liable to pay the estate agent and he will want his own conveyancer to look after his interests in paying the agent’s commission. The purchaser is not liable to and is not accountable to pay any agent’s commission.

What is the case in point in Agu v Krige?

­­A case in point, which Rodrigues says affirm her concern about who gets to choose the conveyancing attorney is a High Court judgement (Agu v Krige and Others (20763/2017) [2019] ZAWCHC 46) set in March 2016.

How many people are involved in a conveyancing transaction?

A typical conveyancing transaction has to balance the interests of not only two people, but actually four people. "So instead of the purchaser being able to chop and choose a seller; it is unlikely that he will find a similar house with a better fee-paying arrangement.

Is the purchaser liable for the commission?

The purchaser is not liable to and is not accountable to pay any agent’s commission. "The estate agent also has an interest in the choice of conveyancer because the agent relies on a conveyancer to provide and collect the selling commission.

Can an attorney be conflicted with more than one client?

Sampson goes on to explain that an attorney cannot allow himself to be conflicted between the interests of more than one client. For instance, he cannot find himself in a situation where the seller requests the purchaser’s conveyancer to issue a letter of demand against the purchaser.

Do you have to pay legal fees before you lodge a deed?

So, the purchaser has always paid the legal fees as part of the transfer costs which have to be collected and paid for before lodgement in the Deeds Office. The Deeds Office is very quick to police and check to see if the transfer duty has been paid in advance before lodgement.

Who pays the transfer costs?

The purchaser always pays the transfer costs. By far the greatest component of the transfer costs, is the Government Transfer Duty Tax. The Transfer Duty Act specifies that the person acquiring ownership must pay the transfer duty. So, it is an Acquisition Tax that is levied on the purchaser.

What happens if you make an offer on a house and aren't represented by a real estate agent

If you make an offer on a house and aren't represented by a real estate agent, the seller's agent may offer to take care of everything. This is known as “dual agency," and it can cause problems because one agent cannot truly look out for the best interests of both you and the seller.

What is a "for sale by owner" deal?

A “for sale by owner" deal can save you money on real estate commissions, but you still need someone to prepare the purchase agreement, deed, and other documents. A lawyer can get your paperwork in order, ensure the title is good, and help you with the fine points of negotiating the transaction. 3.

What can a lawyer do?

A lawyer can interpret and explain these rules, advise you on the feasibility of your plans, and help you structure the transaction and gain the approvals you will need to move forward. 7. Your instinct tells you to talk to a lawyer.

What to do if someone threatens to sue you?

You may also need legal advice if the property is involved in a foreclosure or other litigation, or if you get into a dispute with the buyer or seller. Always talk to a lawyer if someone threatens to sue you. 5. You are concerned about the tax consequences.

What happens when you hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, your lawyer only works for you and will make sure your interests are protected. 4. There is a problem with the property or the deal. A lawyer can help you resolve some of the tougher, more technical issues that might come up.

Is it smart to hire a real estate lawyer?

But there are times when it's a smart idea to hire a real estate lawyer. Here are seven home buying and selling situations where a lawyer's insights can prove invaluable. 1. State law requires you to use a lawyer. In some states, lawyers must be involved in certain aspects of a real estate transaction. In other states, lawyers are optional.

Do I need a lawyer for a home sale?

If you have a good agent and things are running smoothly, you may not need a lawyer.

What is a purchase and sale agreement?

A purchase and sale agreement is a type of document that is received after the mutual acceptance of an offer. This document will include the finalized sale price as well as the different terms of the sale. A basic contractual form is a contract of purchase and sale.

What information is included in a purchase and sale agreement?

Any interest rates, the amount that is financed, the amount of the down payment, commissions, escrow, and any other pertinent financial information will also be included in the purchase and sales agreement. If there is some reason why the funds are not available, the termination terms for the contract and all involved will also be listed in ...

What is a basic contract?

A basic contractual form is a contract of purchase and sale. This contract is an enforceable agreement between two parties to buy and sell. It is used for complex transactions such as those involving business assets and real estate. A purchase and sales agreement is different from a bill of sale.

When to use contract of purchase and sale?

This type of document is used whenever you plan to buy or sell expensive items, such as property or a structure. It is crucial that you are aware of what will be included in this type of agreement whether you are a buyer or a seller.

Can a seller sign over a property to a buyer?

The contract will also specify that the seller is allowed to sell the property and will be able to sign over ownership to the buyer. It is typically the responsibility of the seller to ensure any mortgages or loans, back taxes and any other transferable details are handled either before or immediately after the closing.

Can a buyer inspect a property?

The agreement could also state that the buyer may inspect the property and bring in expert inspectors if necessary. Additional information can be included that states whether or not the property meets the expectation of the buyer once it has been inspected.

What is an asset purchase?

Asset Purchase. In doing an asset sale, the seller remains as the legal owner of the entity, while the buyer purchases individual assets of the company, such as equipment, licenses, goodwill.

What can the buyer dictate?

The buyer can dictate what, if any, liabilities it is going to assume in the transaction. This limits the buyer’s exposure to liabilities that are large, unknown, or not stated by the seller. The buyer can also dictate which assets it is not going to purchase.

What is the buyer of a stock?

With a stock sale, the buyer is assuming ownership of both assets and liabilities – including potential liabilities from past actions of the business. The buyer is merely stepping into the shoes of the previous owner. The buyer of the assets or stock (the “Acquirer”) and the seller of the business ...

What is the difference between asset acquisition and asset acquisition?

When buying or selling a business, the owners and investors have a choice: the transaction can be a purchase and sale of assets. Asset Acquisition An asset acquisition is the purchase of a company by buying its assets instead of its stock. It also involves an assumption of certain liabilities. or a purchase and sale of common stock.

How long does goodwill amortize?

With an asset transaction, goodwill, which is the amount paid for a company over and above the value of its tangible assets, can be amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years for tax purposes. In a stock deal, with the acquirer buying shares of the target, goodwill cannot be deducted until the stock is later sold by the buyer.

What are the advantages of buying assets?

Here are several advantages of an asset purchase transaction: A major tax advantage is that the buyer can “step up” the basis of many assets over their current tax values and obtain tax deductions for depreciation and/or amortization. With an asset transaction, goodwill, which is the amount paid for a company over and above the value ...

Is an acquisition an asset transaction?

Acquisitions can be structured either as an asset transaction or as a stock transaction. Where an asset transaction. Asset Deal An asset deal occurs when a buyer is interested in purchasing the operating assets of a business instead of stock shares. It is a type of M&A transaction. In terms of legalese, an asset deal is any transfer ...