how do i find a real estate lawyer

1. Contact the State Bar of California or the American Bar Association. ...
2. Focus your search on the specific reason you require a real estate lawyer. Real estate attorneys maintain difference practice areas.
3. Identify three to five real estate attorneys in your area and contact them to schedule initial consultations.
4. Before the initial meetings, ask your friends, family members or colleagues if they have any information they can share about these lawyers.
5. At the consultations, question the lawyers about their areas of real estate practice, their typical client and their education.
6. Check out the references you've been given and narrow down the search to the best attorney for your particular need.

Full Answer

How to choose the best real estate lawyer?

Apr 24, 2009 · Alison Rogers. Since graduating from Harvard summa cum laude, Alison Rogers has been a reporter, an editor, a real-estate agent, a Wall Street desk jockey, a …

How to hire a good real estate lawyer?

Don't know anyone who can help you in finding a real estate lawyer? Then contact your local law association (also known as the bar association) and ask them for referrals. You can also take the chance to find out if the lawyer you're hiring is in good standing. Most bar associations have a website where you can access this information anytime.

How can you find out if a lawyer is real?

The Avvo directory is a good place to begin compiling your list of candidates. You can compare their experience and read reviews from past clients, then request an initial consultation with a few lawyers you’re considering hiring. 5 questions to ask your potential real estate lawyer

What to expect from a real estate lawyer?

1. Contact the State Bar of California or the American Bar Association. Both organizations maintain online tools to help you find attorneys in your area …

Where to Find a Real Estate Lawyer Online

With everything in the world going online, searching on the Internet has become the quickest and most convenient method of finding a good attorney.

Finding a Real Estate Attorney by Word of Mouth

Asking people you know for references is a time-tested method to find a good real estate attorney. But since your friends and family are unlikely to have hired a property lawyer before, who can you ask for recommendations?

What can a real estate attorney do for you?

A real estate attorney can stop or mitigate a foreclosure, defend you if a real estate transaction goes wrong, or represent you as a tenant or as a landlord in cases of property damage.

How much does a real estate attorney charge per hour?

The cost of hiring a real estate lawyer. Real estate lawyers often charged for their services at an hourly rate, ranging between $150 and $350 per hour. However, some attorneys may charge a flat rate for a specific service, like assisting with closing procedures.

How to prepare for a mortgage?

Evaluate any covenants, liens, easements, and other obligations on record for the property. Prepare all necessary documents for your home. Explain the terms of the mortgage and negotiate with the lender to change them as necessary. Calculate the tax liabilities associated with the purchase or sale of real estate.

Do you need a lawyer for real estate?

They can also help you handle foreclosure, financing, document transactions, environmental issues, or negotiations over the terms of a deal. Some states, like Georgia, South Carolina, and Massachusetts, require a lawyer's presence for real estate transactions.

What is a real estate attorney?

A real estate attorney is someone who is licensed to practice real estate law, meaning they have the knowledge and experience to advise parties involved in a real estate transaction, such as a home sale.

Why do you need an attorney for a home purchase?

Here are a few reasons you might need or want an attorney to be part of your home buying team: State or lender requirement: Every state has slightly different laws regarding real estate transactions, and some states consider certain actions that are part of the process to be “practicing law.”. These regulations are often meant to prevent real ...

Who is in charge of closing a home?

In some cases, a real estate attorney is also the person who’ll be in charge of your closing. In a home purchase transaction, both the buyer and seller can hire an attorney to represent their interests during the process. Or, in the case where an attorney is overseeing a closing where the home is being purchased with a mortgage loan, ...

Is it legal to buy a home?

Buying a home isn’t just a simple purchase; it’s also a legal transfer of a property from one entity to another. Because the legal side of this transaction can be so complex, sometimes it makes sense (or is even required) for home buyers or sellers to enlist an attorney who can look out for their best interests.

Do you have to have an attorney at closing?

If your mortgage lender requires an attorney to be present at closing, whether the buyer or seller covers the cost of the closing attorney will depend on how your contract was negotiated. If you want your own attorney in addition to the one required by your lender, you’ll also pay for any services they provide you.

What is a real estate attorney?

Real estate attorneys help oversee home sales, from the moment the contract is signed through the negotiating period (aptly called the “attorney review”) to closing. A seller’s attorney reviews sales contracts, communicates terms in a professional manner and attends closings to prevent mishaps. Selling a home is a complex process ...

How much does a real estate attorney charge?

How much does a real estate attorney cost? How much you’ll pay for real estate attorney fees depends on your market and how involved they are in the transaction, but they typically charge a flat rate of $800 to $1,200 per transaction. Some attorneys charge hourly, ranging from $150 to $350 per hour.

Why do you need an attorney for real estate?

An attorney helps you protect your investment and assets while ensuring you’re conducting your side of the transaction legally — which can prevent costly missteps. Real estate attorneys are required in many states, but even if you aren’t legally required to use an attorney while selling, it can be a good idea.

What to do if you inherited a home?

An attorney can help you navigate the complexities. Estate sale: If you inherited the home you’re selling, hiring an attorney to sort through ownership documents can ease the burden, which is especially helpful when you’re grieving the loss of a family member.

Who is responsible for underwriting title insurance?

Title company: A representative of the title company is responsible for underwriting the title insurance and transferring the clean title of the home to the buyer.

Who hires an inspector to inspect a house?

Inspector: The inspector is hired by the buyer. Their job is to make sure the buyer knows about everything that may need to be repaired on the home. Sellers also sometimes hire an inspector to do a pre-inspection so they can make any necessary repairs before putting the house on the market.

Do you need an attorney for a closing?

In 21 states and the District of Columbia, attorneys are legally required as part of the closing process. Attorney-required states include: As a best practice, if the other party in your transaction has a lawyer representing them and supporting their best interests, you should too.

What is real estate law?

Real estate law is a branch of civil law that covers the right to possess, use, and enjoy land and the permanent man-made additions attached to it. Real estate law directly or indirectly impacts most of us on a daily basis, affecting homeowners, renters, landlords, home buyers, and home sellers. In the United States, every state has exclusive ...

What is the power of each state to determine the form and effect of a transfer of real property?

In the United States, every state has exclusive jurisdiction over the land within its borders. Each state has the power to determine the form and effect of a transfer of real property in its jurisdiction. As a result, state law requirements vary significantly from state to state. There are generally two types of property: real property ...

What is personal property?

Personal property, meanwhile, is anything other than land that can be the subject of ownership, including stocks, money, notes, intellectual property as well as intangible property. When a piece of property is sold, real estate brokers or agents are often hired by the seller to obtain a buyer for a property.

What are the two types of property?

There are generally two types of property: real property and personal property. Most of the legal concepts and rules associated with both types of property are derived from British common law. Back then, "real property," often shortened to just property, generally referred to land and fixtures upon land. In modern times, real estate has become an ...