If you’re looking for a real estate lawyer, it is important that you don’t hire just anyone. When it comes to handling major transactions such as the purchase of a property, you need to ensure you have the right support behind you.
When it comes to buying real estate, you need someone by your side that has your best interests at heart.
But what should you consider when you’re looking for a real estate lawyer?
Here are six factors that you really need to think about when choosing your attorney.
1. Do They Have Knowledge of Transactions in the Local Area?
Different housing markets move at different speeds, and what happens in the area may not happen in another. When it comes to hiring a real estate lawyer you need someone who has a clear understanding of what can affect transactions in the area that you’re buying.
Local building codes will differ between towns and cities and you’ll want someone on your side that has a good handle on the issues that you may face with your property.
In addition to finding a lawyer who knows the local housing market well, you’ll also need to think about getting a lawyer that has helped close similar properties to yours. If you’re buying an apartment, it may be helpful to have a lawyer that has worked on other property deals on the same block.
2. How Much Does the Real Estate Lawyer Charge?
Before you decide on which real estate lawyer to go with, you’ll want to know exactly how much they will charge you for their services and what the closing fees will be. Comparing lawyer fees is essential when deciding on a real estate lawyer.
The fees that you’ll need to pay will largely depend on the complexity and the size of the transaction.
The following factors will affect how much your fees will be:
- Whether you are buying or selling
- Whether the sale is made in cash or whether you’ll need a mortgage
- If you are borrowing money whether the lender is an institutional or a private lender
- Whether you need to pay federal or state tax withholdings
- If there are any expected issues
- Whether the sale includes anything out of the ordinary in the buying process
Find out as much as you can about the way that the fees work before you decide on your real estate lawyer.
3. Will You Get Personalized Attention?
Every property buying transaction is different, and you don’t want to choose a real estate lawyer that uses a copy and paste approach to dealing with property purchases.
A good real estate lawyer will prove you with personalized attention and will be able to provide you with answers to any questions that you may have as they come up.
Having a good connection with your lawyer is essential. Without this personalized attention, it can be difficult to build up the trust and respect that you’ll need to have in your real estate lawyer.
4. Will You Get Support Throughout the Entire Transaction?
Handling real estate sales can be a long and complicated process. You need to know that you’re going to have a lawyer that will help you out throughout the entire process.
Talk to your lawyer to find out exactly how they envisage the transaction going. Find out how often you’ll receive updates from them throughout the process.
If you need to get in touch with your lawyer, how easy will this be?
5. What is the Lawyer’s Track Record Like?
Talk to your lawyer to find out about their previous track record. How have they performed previously when closing? How much experience do they have in real estate?
Many lawyers will have multiple specialties. Find out how long they have been handling real estate work and what experience they bring to the table.
6. How Will Your Lawyer Communicate?
Find out how your real estate lawyer will communicate with you throughout the process and make sure that it matches your needs.
If you’re busy, you may want to receive communication via email or text message. However, if you are likely to have questions to ask, hearing from the lawyer over the phone may suit your needs better.
Finding the Right Real Estate Lawyer
If you are buying or selling a property and you need the help of an experienced real estate lawyer, we can help.
Here at Neuberger, Griggs, Sweet, and Froehle we have a wealth of experience in helping with a range of real estate issues.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help.