WHAT IS A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY AND WHEN DO I NEED ONE?

Buying a home isnt just a simple purchase; its also a legal transfer of a property from one entity to another. Because the legal side of this transaction can be so complex, sometimes it makes sense (or is even required) for home buyers or sellers to enlist an attorney who can look out for their best interests.

While you?ll likely already be dealing with a myriad of costs as you work to close on your house, and probably arent keen to add another, having a lawyer on your side can be an expense that ends up paying for itself.

What Is A Real Estate Attorney?

A real estate attorney is someone who is licensed to practice real estate law, meaning they have the knowledge and experience to advise parties involved in a real estate transaction, such as a home sale.

What Does A Real Estate Attorney Do?

Real estate attorneys know how to and are legally authorized to prepare and review documents and contracts related to the sale and purchase of a home. In some cases, a real estate attorney is also the person who?ll be in charge of your closing.

In a home purchase transaction, both the buyer and seller can hire an attorney to represent their interests during the process. Or, in the case where an attorney is overseeing a closing where the home is being purchased with a mortgage loan, the attorney may actually represent the mortgage lender.

When Do I Need A Real Estate Attorney?

Depending on your state and localitys laws and the exact nature of the transaction, you may need to enlist the services of a real estate attorney (and have the cost included in your closing costs), whether you like it or not.

If you end up needing an attorney, whether youve decided you want one or your state or lender requires it, there are a few different points during the home buying process where they can come in and provide assistance. This can include drafting and finalizing purchase contracts, writing amendments to a standard contract utilized by your real estate agent, completing a title search or conducting the closing.

Here are a few reasons you might need or want an attorney to be part of your home buying team:

State or lender requirement: Every state has slightly different laws regarding real estate transactions, and some states consider certain actions that are part of the process to be ?practicing law. These regulations are often meant to prevent real estate agents from acting in a legal capacity that they arent trained or licensed for. For example, in many areas only a licensed attorney can put together legal documents related to the sale of a home, because they consider that to be within the realm of the practice of law. (However, in many areas, real estate agents now use standardized form contracts for home purchases that non-lawyers can legally fill out on their own.) Certain states may also consider performing a home closing to be a practice of law, and as such, an attorney may be required to be present during closing. If youre getting a mortgage with Rocket Mortgage? by Quicken Loans?, we require you to have an attorney conduct your closing if the subject property is located in any of the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina or West Virginia.

Contractual issues with the purchase: If your home purchase involves any out-of-the-ordinary elements that could complicate your purchase contract, a good real estate attorney can make sure that all your contracts take into account the complexity of your situation as well as help you out if contractual issues arise during the process.
Peace of mind: If you just have a feeling that something could go wrong or you want to be sure all your bases are covered, having a lawyer on your side can help give you the confidence that even if the transaction does go awry, you have a legal professional who is looking out for your best interests and can help you work through a tricky situation.
How Much Does A Real Estate Attorney Cost?
How much you?ll spend paying your real estate attorney (or attorneys) will depend on what services theyve provided for you and who is responsible for that particular closing cost. If your mortgage lender requires an attorney to be present at closing, whether the buyer or seller covers the cost of the closing attorney will depend on how your contract was negotiated.

If you want your own attorney in addition to the one required by your lender, you?ll also pay for any services they provide you. How and how much a real estate attorney charges will vary, but here are some basic ranges to give you an idea of what you?ll spend:

Fixed hourly rate: A real estate attorney who charges an hourly rate may charge $150 ? $350 per hour, but this can vary a lot depending on how experienced the attorney is and what area youre in.
Fixed rates for specific services: They may also charge a flat fee for the particular services they provide. For example, a real estate attorney might charge $500 ? $1,500 to conduct a home closing. Their fees may also depend on the sale price of the property in question.

How Can I Find A Real Estate Attorney Near Me?

Since buying a home is such a large, important purchase, you want to make sure that the professionals you work with know what theyre talking about and are good at what they do. If you arent sure where to look to find a reputable real estate attorney, here are some places to start:

Ask for recommendations from friends and family: If someone in your social circle recently purchased or sold a home and had an attorney, you might consider asking them who they used and what their experience was like.

Utilize your states Bar association directory: Your state Bar associations website can help you locate lawyers in your area who practice real estate law. Use the American Bar Associations directory to help you find your states website.

Use an online legal review site: There are many online review websites that will give you information on attorneys in your area, including their specialties, fee structures and any reviews left by former clients.

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