| Typically in home sales, neither party obtains the | | | | - insurance agents, |
| advice of an attorney. This puts their rights and | | | | - accountants, |
| interests at risk in the process of buying and | | | | - mortgage companies, |
| selling. | | | | - appraisers, |
| Hiring a real estate lawyer will make sure your | | | | - inspectors, |
| biggest investment doesn't become your biggest | | | | - homeowners associations, |
| headache. | | | | - various government agencies who will have rules |
| Many times legal issues arise after the sale has | | | | that must be followed |
| taken place. Getting an attorney involved in the | | | | FSBO Transaction Issues |
| beginning of the process avoids this problem in | | | | - What if an agent brings a Buyer to you -- what |
| most cases. Dealing with legal disputes after the | | | | commission will you owe? |
| closing is always more expensive. Oftentimes it is | | | | - What if you are FSBO and agreed to a price, |
| too late to do anything about it. | | | | but no documents are signed -- what are you |
| Remember that attorneys' only duty is to their | | | | obligated to do? |
| clients. Realtors often have divided loyalties in | | | | - What if you have a a title or boundary issue and |
| sales transactions, by contrast. Only an attorney | | | | need to draft a special addendum to the |
| can be counted on to advise you as to your best | | | | contract? |
| interests and options. | | | | - What if a buyer backs out and there is an |
| Transaction assistance. | | | | earnest money dispute? |
| Property transactions are complex and involve | | | | Attorneys will make sure you avoid costly |
| many different parties and a lawyer can make | | | | disputes with the other party and also make sure |
| sure they all do their jobs properly and on time. | | | | there are no problems with the property. |
| These include: | | | | Your attorney will advise you on legal matters |
| - real estate agents and brokers, | | | | that extend far beyond what your real estate or |
| - escrow agents, | | | | escrow agents are allowed to advise. |
| - title companies, | | | | |