Know What You’re Getting Into
When you’re buying something as simple as a coffee, the risk is pretty low. When you’re buying a home, the stakes are much higher.
A survey on a $1.5 million property disclosed that the decks extended beyond the property line, as did the fence. The driveway itself was extending 60% into the public domain. Scary stuff.
We asked the buyer, ‘Does this represent the property you think you’re buying?’
That doesn’t even get into what we did to take care of it.
— Moshe Katlowitz, Managing Attorney
Why Skilled Real Estate Attorneys Make Life Easier
The sale and purchase of a home is a lengthy process with many potential hurdles to overcome.
This includes:
- contract drafting;
- contract negotiation;
- document collection, review and analysis;
- property inspections, survey and appraisal;
- mortgage document review and approval;
- and more.
All of these activities are time-sensitive and tied to significant financial outcomes.
For instance, closing on a home within 30 days instead of 90 days can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your mortgage. The more skilled and experienced your attorney is, the smoother and less risky your purchase or sale is likely to be.
What Does a Skilled Real Estate Attorney Do for You?
- Reduce risk of being sued by the other party for failure to disclose relevant information.
- Ensure you file the appropriate documents to state and county authorities. This prevents fines, heavy tax penalties or other serious complications.
- Makes sure activities proceed in a timely fashion to avoid potential default and unnecessary financial expense.
- Review and negotiate contracts to ensure you are getting what you expect and are well positioned now and in the future.
- Accept or submit the down payment deposit into an escrow account.
- Perform title searches and other research to uncover any liens or other violations against the property.
- Deal with the financing of your property throughout the mortgage process. This includes collection and submission of relevant financial and legal documentation, as well as directly advocating for your best interests with the lender.
- Guide and advise you as you sign the closing documents and ensure that all payments made at the closing are accurate and accounted for.
- Follow through with any post-closing activities such as document submission to local authorities.