Massachusetts Real Estate Lawyer Blog
In a sentence, your real estate attorney protects your rights when you are dealing in real estate. A real estate agent can help you find the right home but a real estate attorney will ensure that you get into that home without any hidden surprises.
You might think that you don’t need to worry about hiring a real estate attorney when you are in the final process of buying or selling real estate but without an experienced attorney reviewing the final agreement, you could find yourself with duties and fees that you weren’t expecting. By having an attorney review all the documents prior to closing you can avoid being surprised by unclear and misunderstood agreements.
Buying A Home? Here’s What An Attorney Will Do To Help
Your real estate attorney will do the following things to ensure that you are getting your home without any extras attached:
- Help you understand the contract, specifically helping you understand how to take ownership of the title.
- Check to ensure that there are no liens, covenants, easements, or any other impediments to your use of the property.
- Prepare and register all legal documents.
- Work with your bank to modify the terms of the mortgage agreement, if necessary.
- Review and analyze the adjustments, including taxes owed and utility costs before closing.
- Be at the closing and review all papers that you will be signing.
- Assist you with getting title insurance to protect you in the case of title defects.
Selling A Home? Here Is How An Attorney Will Help
When you are the seller, a real estate attorney will help you ensure that the transition to the new owner goes smoothly. This includes:
- Preparing and reviewing the purchase agreement including negotiating the terms of the agreement.
- Prepare the deed and power of attorney, if needed.
- Take care of any title issues that may arise.
- Be at the closing and review all papers that you will be signing.
- Arrange the transfer of security deposits and insurance certificates.
Real Estate Attorneys Help Beyond the Buying and Selling of Homes
Beyond protecting your rights if you are buying or selling a home, a real estate attorney will protect you if you are leasing commercial real estate, assist you in refinancing your home, help you with zoning issues, and more.
Any time you are working with real estate, residential or commercial, hiring a real estate attorney will not only help you ensure that the deal goes smoothly but also help you avoid any surprises after the deal is closed.