For anyone who’s ever signed the dotted line on a new home, it’s apparent that buying a house is no walk in the park. Realtors often joke that home buyers need to bring two pens, just in case the first runs out of ink. You might also hear that you’ll come out of a signing looking older than when you went in. Without a real estate lawyer by your side, these situations might not seem too far-fetched.
While these representations of the signing process are an exaggeration, there is a grain of truth to them. There is a lot of paperwork to read over when buying—and for that matter, selling—a house.
The truth is, when you’ve gone through the long process of negotiating a price and making sure everything is in order, you might not be too worried about the minor details, but those details can turn out to be pretty important.
This is why having a real estate lawyer by your side is so critical.
When Selling a Home
If you’re selling your home, you want to make sure you protect yourself from any fraudulent activities or disputes. From incorrectly worded documents to contract issues, there are more than a few missteps you can take.
A real estate attorney will assist you from beginning to end. They help the seller by obtaining property tax information and organizing every aspect of the sale. They also help with:
- Preparing closing documents
- Writing title insurance policies
- Handling the transfer of funds for purchase
When you hire a real estate attorney, they will do everything in their power to make sure the deal is done with your interests in mind.
When Buying a Home
For buyers, the excitement of the process can create some blind spots—especially for first-time home-buyers. Sometimes contracts can contain vague terms, but if you just want to start moving in, you might forego asking questions. A real estate lawyer will take on that responsibility.
But a lawyer helps more than just clarifying terms within contracts. In addition to this service, they can also:
- Complete title searches on the property
- Obtain information regarding satisfaction of deliverables/conditions
- Prepare and register transfer and funds
In addition, your attorney will ensure that the transfer is legal and in the best interest of their client.
Disputes and Your Real Estate Lawyer
Besides being an extra pair of eyes—and an expert pair, we might add—during the contract review process, a real estate lawyer can also help with any disputes that arise during the process. If any other issues arise between buyer and seller, having an expert on-hand adds an extra level of assurance that the deal is a good one.
If you’re looking to buy or sell your home, be sure to use a lawyer. This way, you can walk into and out of the process feeling safe in the decisions you’ve made and the paperwork you’ve signed. Contact us to schedule a consultation.