questions to ask your lawyer when selling your house

You can ask questions about where the lawyer went to school, if they can provide referrals and whether or not they’ve worked on transactions similar to yours. Not every real estate deal is the same and you want to ensure your lawyer has dealt with similar transactions in the past. What parts of the process will you take care of for me?

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What are good questions to ask when buying a home?

11 Questions to Ask When Buying a House for the First Time

1. How Much Can I Afford? This is one of the first questions to ask yourself when buying a house for the first time. ...
2. Do I Have Money for a Down Payment? Your down payment affects how much money you’ll need to borrow. ...
3. How Much Will Property Taxes Cost? ...
4. What Are Closing Costs? ...
5. What Are the Hidden Costs of Owning a Home? ...

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What questions should you ask before renting a house?

Before your tenancy starts, make sure you have:

• A copy of the government’s How to Rent guide (in England)
• A gas safety certificate
• Details of the deposit protection scheme
• The Energy Performance Certificate
• A copy of the tenancy agreement

What things should you disclose when selling a home?

🤔 What types of things should you disclose when selling a home? 🏠Anything you know that has happened to the home while you have lived there. Such as plumb...

What you should know when selling your home?

Ask a Realtor: What should we know before selling our home?

• Set a realistic price. Setting the right asking price is key. ...
• Prepare your home. Prepare your home for showings before it goes on the market. ...
• Create curb appeal. As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression. ...
• Qualify buyers. ...
• Tone down the emotion. ...
• Be prepared for inspections. ...

What is the role of a real estate lawyer?

One of the key roles a real estate lawyer plays is that of document drafter. Real estate attorneys prepare deeds for conveyance transactions, leases and rental agreements, purchase contracts and financing agreements.

Why do real estate lawyers act as guardians?

This then allows the real estate lawyer to act as guardian for their clients to make sure the clients don’t end up in any legal pitfalls.

What happens if a real estate transaction does not work out?

Should the real estate transactions not work out, pending litigation is usually the end result. Real estate lawyers represent their clients in real estate litigation. This includes drafting legal pleadings to file with the judge, participating in hearings and trial with the judge, and filing appeals if necessary.

Why is my offer rejected?

Failure to do so may result in your offer being rejected because it wasn’t communicated properly, or worse yet, being accepted and since your offer wasn’t drafted properly, you’re negatively impacted. Upon acceptance of buyer’s offer, it is customary for the seller’s attorney to prepare the Contract of Sale.

Is it important to hire a real estate attorney?

Finding a real estate attorney or hiring a real estate attorney is very important. Just because a lawyer says they are a real estate attorney, does not mean that they are competent enough to accomplish what you need. You’ll need a real estate lawyer familiar with compound interest, annual interest rate, home sales, ...

Can a high end real estate title be a lien?

In addition, high-end real estate may be subject to several liens, encumbrances, or judgments . A proper title search and an experienced real estate lawyer is the best way to ensure that these issues do not pass to the buyer on settlement day.

Is a real estate attorney familiar with the New York laws?

Not only is a real estate attorney familiar with the steps involved in the process, but will be familiar with the New York laws involved and can advise you while steering you in the right direction to best accomplish your goals.

What is the best way to handle a real estate closing?

When the going gets tough or an unexpected problem arises, a well-experienced real estate attorney is the best means for handling the case.

What is a home investment?

Unlike a car, a home investment is one that will appreciate over time and allow you to gain equity in your home. While your real estate professional will guide you through the buying process, it’s your real estate closing attorney that will guide you through the closing. This is when the home officially transfers ownership ...

Do you want to know who is working on your case?

When it comes to your specific case, you’ll want to know exactly who is working on your case. It’s important to consider that many successful attorneys will accept your case only to pass it along to a less-experienced attorney.

How long does a house last on the market?

In general, though, data from the National Association of Realtors shows that the average home is on the market for 62 days. It varies greatly by state, of course.

When is the best time to buy a house?

In general, spring and summer are the hottest homebuying seasons of the year, while sales slow down as we get into fall and winter. If you want to maximize the money you make on your house, a study from ATTOM Data shows that selling in June, May, or July are your best bets.

How much commission do agents charge for a $250,000 home?

According to Bankrate, agents typically command a 5 to 6% commission (collectively between the listing and buyer’s agent). With a $250,000 home, that’d be $12,500 to $15,000. It’s a big chunk of change if you’re tight on funds or have lots of moving expenses coming up.

How to gauge what your home might command on the open market?

To gauge what your home might command on the open market, your best bet is to look at comparable sales. Make sure they’re of similar size and condition to yours. Also called “comps,” these are what a real estate agent would use to determine appropriate pricing for your house.

What are the pros and cons of using a real estate agent?

First and foremost, an agent can guide you in your home sale. They can list the home, coordinate photography and showings, market the property, and walk you through to closing.

How much more money do homes sell in June?

Homes sold in June make about 9.2% more than average, while those in May sell for 7.4% more. There’s also data that shows what day you list your home matters, too. According to Redfin, homes listed on Thursdays sell for more money and at a faster pace than those listed on other days of the week. Still, real estate is a very localized industry, ...

What to do if you want to get ahead on repairs?

If you want to get ahead on the repairs, you might consider a seller’s inspection. For a few hundred dollars, a home inspector can evaluate your home for potential issues and problems. You can then use their report to guide your pre-listing repair projects.

What do you leave behind when buying a house?

It's important to prepare in advance for buyers' expectations about what you'll leave behind. As a general rule, you'll be expected to leave behind all "fixtures," defined in most states as things that are affixed, fastened to , or an integral part of the home or landscaping.

Can you meet your buyers real estate agent?

You may meet your buyers' real estate agents if they choose to formally present purchase offers to you and your agents. You may even be handed photos of the prospective buyers, and personal letters, if they're in a competitive bidding situation.

Is the mortgage market good for sellers?

Here are some other indicators that the market is good for sellers: Mortgage interest rates are low, allowing buyers to finance larger mortgages. The economic climate of your region is healthy, and people feel confident about the future. There's a jump in house buying activity, as often occurs in the spring.

What is the common mistake that many sellers make?

A common mistake that many sellers make is spending too much time and money on things that don’t matter. The goal is to spend the least amount and only on things that will bring a return on your investment. And that’s exactly what the answer should be about when you ask your real estate agent this question.

What does it mean when a realtor has a higher than average number of days to sell?

A higher-than-average number of days to sell means that the realtor overprices their listings. And a lower-than-average number almost always means they underprice the homes they sell.

What are the selling features of a home in need of work?

For example, the two selling features for a home in need of work could be the following: Lower price, which means lower monthly payments and lower property taxes.

What does it mean when a real estate agent represents the buyer?

If your real estate agent also represents the buyer, this means they make twice as much. Unfortunately, many real estate agents are willing to risk their integrity to make this happen. In many cases, the end result means a lower selling price by tens of thousands of dollars.

Should I cross off a seller's list?

But if they don’t have experience selling in your area, you shouldn’t cross them off your list. Most sellers ask this question when interviewing real estate agents because they think it’s a necessity. It’s not.

Can a realtor negotiate for you?

When they also represent the buyer, they cannot negotiate for you. You can see this in the agreement you’ll sign with them.

What is the best way to sell a home?

As you start out to sell your home, at the very least hire an agent who has a state license and belongs to the local real estate trade association. This means that they will have access to the multiple listing service, or MLS, and can list your property far and wide to attract buyers.

What is a good agent for selling a house?

A good agent should have a written plan for selling your home that identifies the marketing plan for your property to attract buyers, from listing services to open houses to social media. This helps ensure you’ll get a high sales price.

What does a real estate agent do?

A great real estate agent can help find buyers to sell your home fast, and for more money. Make the wrong choice, and your listing might languish. Then, the lowballing bargain hunters come circling—it’s not pretty.

Does a real estate agent guarantee a quick sale?

A real estate agent’s past performance doesn’t guarantee a quick sale. Their track record of success with buyers and sellers, though, is some assurance that they are professionals who will know what they’re doing in selling your home.

What to ask an estate agent before selling a house?

Ensuring you ask your chosen estate agent the right questions before selling your home is vital. It’s important to know what your estate agent is offering and how much it’ll cost before you sign a contract with them. By finding out the estate agent’s accreditations, fees and contract type, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re in good hands. ...

What to ask an estate agent about VAT?

Another important question to ask your estate agent is how much they will charge for their service. All estate agents, whether they’re an online, high-street or hybrid agent, are required by law to list their fees with VAT included.

Why do you need an estate agent?

Estate agents are vital during the negotiation process and so it’s often helpful for them to start some kind of relationship with the buyer through the viewings. You should agree with your estate agent when you’re able to book the viewings or an open house and ensure the property is ready and presentable.

What happens if an estate agent does not comply with the law?

If an agent does not comply with this law, you are within your right to complain to a redress service or the local council trading standards team. Traditional estate agents will charge a commission fee of the final sale price, though this can be negotiated.

What does it mean to find out the type of contract an estate agent offers?

Finding out the type of contract your desired estate agent will offer will help you know your rights when it comes to selling your house. It will also indicate whether or not you can switch agents or cancel your contract. There are four main types of contracts to consider, some will be more beneficial to your circumstances than others:

What is sole selling rights?

A sole selling rights contract means that only one estate agent will be allowed to sell your house, not multiple agents. However, you will be expected to pay your estate agent even if you end up finding a buyer privately.

How long is the tie in period for an estate agent?

It’s important to discover the estate agent’s tie-in period to avoid a negative selling experience. Tie-in periods are commonly set between 4 and 12 weeks, you should be concerned if an estate agent has a tie-in period of over 12 weeks.

What should an estate agent do when you accept an offer?

Once you’ve accepted an offer, a good estate agent should be happy to oversee the sale right through to completion.

How long does a house stay on the market?

Once your property is on the market, it won’t necessarily stay there indefinitely until sold. Most estate agents will list your property for a minimum of 6 months (or until sold, whichever happens sooner). But, after that, the process will depend on the agent. In most cases, agents who are working on a ‘no sale, ...

How does an online estate agent work?

Most online estate agents work on a fixed-fee basis, meaning you pay the same amount regardless of whether your property sells for £90,000 or £900,000. There are advantages and disadvantages of both pricing structures. Commission-based prices tend to work best for lower value properties and give the estate agent a small incentive ...

What does an estate agent do when they visit your property?

That means when they visit your property, they should be happy to provide advice on what you can do to help attract more interest.

Can an estate agent conduct a house viewing?

Either way, check when the estate agent will be able to conduct viewings and when you would have to conduct your own. Remember that many house hunters will want to view properties on evenings and weekends.

Do estate agents sell local properties?

However, an estate agent who has sold local properties may have an advantage. They’ll likely have a list of people who viewed the other properties – in other words, potential buyers who they know have been looking for properties in your area. They are also more likely to have their fingers on the pulse and understand the likely demand ...

Can estate agents give you a valuation?

Ultimately though, most estate agents (high street or online), will aim to give you an accurate a valuation as possible. If in doubt, you can always start a little higher to gauge interest and slowly reduce until you find the sweet spot.