The most common benefits of hiring a real estate attorney include:
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What does a real estate attorney do, anyway? The job of a real estate attorney is to negotiate and make a transaction come together in a peaceful manner that’s fair and amenable to all parties.
Do You Really Need a Real Estate Attorney to Buy or Sell a House? Answers Ahead If you’re buying or selling real estate, you may have heard you should hire a real estate attorney.
When selling or buying a home or other property, most people expect to see the real estate agents for both parties at closing, along with representatives from the title company and maybe even someone from the mortgage company. But a lawyer? It’s normal to wonder if it’s typical or necessary to see a real estate attorney at a closing.
Some experts, however, believe you should always hire a real estate attorney, no matter the circumstances. “It is an added level of protection for both sides in covering the seller and buyer for all items on the contract,” says Charlie Gallovitch of Real People Realty in Mokena, IL. “It is especially helpful for home inspection negotiations.
Hiring an attorney from the onset of your real estate transaction to review all agreements and contracts and assist in negotiations will ensure the maximum level of transparency and comfort. Whenever you don’t understand a term or part of the process, you can rely on your lawyer to clarify any vague language and ensure your requirements are properly communicated, represented and documented along the way.
A real estate attorney works for you, represents your needs and will negotiate on your behalf during the real estate purchasing process. Your lawyer can act as a support to walk you step-by-step through the complications of real estate transactions, and also act as a safeguard, protecting you from the problems and issues you cannot see or predict. With legal counsel, you can give yourself the peace of mind that you, your family and your investments are protected as you take the next steps toward owning property.
A real estate attorney will review your contract, advisably prior to the purchase – something that’s especially recommended for first-time homebuyers. Your attorney will make sure that the terms of the deal are properly honored in a contract in order for them to be legally binding.
The purpose of a title search is to make sure the property being sold is free of any encumbrances, such as liens or judgments. The findings of the title search are vital since they reveal whether the seller has the legal right to sell the property. Having an estate attorney perform this service means it gets done in less time, and often with less cost – thanks to the working relationships real estate attorneys typically have with title search companies.
A real estate attorney is a lawyer whose primary practice is real estate. The lawyer may work in other areas of law, but the main focus is on residential or commercial real estate transactions.
Mortgage lenders can require a buyer use a real estate attorney in order to avoid mistakes. A buyer who is required to use an attorney for a loan and fails to may not be able to obtain funding for the purchase.
The fees for real estate lawyers can be a set price, like $800, or a rate per hour spent on the deal, depending on the area.
Some states allow any lawyer admitted to the local bar association or recognized by the state as an attorney to engage in real estate transactions with minimal or no additional training . Attorneys who are unfamiliar with the complexities of real estate transactions in the area may encounter problems when overseeing a real estate transfer.
Real estate attorneys can protect a buyer or seller from financial loss. A sales contract that does not have a clause allowing termination for a failed inspection can cost a buyer hundreds of dollars to cancel if the home is found to have a major problem, such as mold. Loan documents with errors can cost the buyer time and money to resolve after the papers are signed.
Sellers using a real estate attorney do not have to handle problems with the home's title alone. A title defect can be cured by an attorney who is familiar with the issue. An attorney will ensure a seller's interests are represented in the sales contract.
Not all real estate attorneys examine title, or check the chain of ownership for errors or potential liabilities. Some attorneys outsource title examining to a third party, such as a title agency.