Going into a new home purchase without a real estate lawyer isn't a good decision. Home ownership represents a milestone in most people's lives. That milestone can become marred if the buyer finds out their new home comes with problems, taxes, and odd loopholes that prevent the buyer from seeking remedies.
All of these things can occur if you don't utilise the services of a lawyer. You should involve a lawyer in every aspect of your home buying process, starting from the very beginning.
Speak to a Real Estate Lawyer When You're Actively Searching
You don't have to wait; you should contact a lawyer while you're still searching for a new home. They can do various tasks for you:
At this step, a lawyer isn't exactly necessary. But if you're looking to buy your first home, and don't know everything about the process, some guidance can lead you in the right direction.
Hire a Real Estate Lawyer When You're Ready to Deal with a Contract
Buying a home comes with a lot of paperwork. A lot of that paperwork will come from the seller or the real estate agent. Basically, if there's anything that requires a signature, it's a contract. If you don't understand any of the contracts in full, then you shouldn't sign it.
The first piece of paperwork a lawyer can help you with is the Offer to Purchase (or Agreement of Purchase and Sale). You write this document up when you find a place you would like to make an offer on.
It's at this point that you simply cannot take haphazard measures. You need to get with a lawyer to write the proposal properly and submit it. After this point, your lawyer needs to have heavy involvement in everything that transpires. They are necessary for dealing with counter offers and working out terms.
Have a Real Estate Lawyer Perform a Title Search for You
Another important thing your lawyer can handle in the interim is the title. They can perform the title search for you to make sure the title you plan to acquire is free and clear of defects, liens, debt, and other issues. They can also guide you towards title insurance on the off chance that something about the title turns up later that can affect you negatively.
Use a Real Estate Lawyer When It's Time to Close
Even more important than the Offer to Purchase is the closing. A real estate lawyer should handle every aspect of the closing. They can handle the down payment and closing costs. They will submit all the proper paperwork. And finally, the lawyer will hand you your keys and deed.
As you can see, there's no part of the process where you can't or shouldn't involve a lawyer. There are many resources that can help you figure out many things on your own. But there's no substitute for professional legal help when it comes to purchasing a home. For more information, contact a company like Davis John A Law Corp to learn more.
Share2 February 2015
The laws governing child custody and guardianship can be confusing. As a family attorney, I have helped many clients gain legal guardianship over a foster child or a relative's child. Getting legal guardianship of a child you are caring for is important because you need to be able to make decisions about that child's education, health care and other matters. This blog will help you navigate the world of legal guardianship and show you how to take steps to get guardianship over a child whether the child's parents are cooperative or not. Legal guardianship does matter even if a child is not going to be adopted. I hope to help people find the way to get this done.
