what to ask a real estate lawyer

To find out if your attorney is a good fit, here are some questions you should ask:

1. What Are Your Qualifications? Working with a great trial lawyer won’t do you much good in the real estate business. ...
2. Have You Worked With Real Estate Investors In The Past? Real estate investment deals are often much different than traditional purchases. ...
3. What Does Your Availability Look Like? ...
4. What Are Your Fees And What Do Those Fees Include? ...

More items...

Full Answer

What questions should I ask a realtor?

Sep 09, 2021 · Ideally you want someone who spends the variety of their time practicing this form of law because you’ll need an expert who can guide you through the legal problems and challenges that can arise when purchasing, leasing, or selling real estate. You should also ask how many clients they serve at a time…you’ll want to know your real estate lawyer has time for …

What to expect from a real estate lawyer?

Once you have a few names (however you got them), the real work begins. You will want to conduct a phone interview and ask as many questions as possible. Describe your particular situation and ask if they have ever worked on a case like yours before. Other questions to ask include: Are they primarily a real estate lawyer? If not, how much of their business is geared …

How to find the best real estate lawyer?

Feb 12, 2020 · 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...

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Jun 25, 2018 · You may also want to ask if they specialize in any particular area of real estate law. It’s also a good idea to find out where they earned their law degree and whether or not it’s an accredited school. If they attended law school in a different state, you should also ask how many years of experience they have practicing law in your state.

How can a good real estate attorney help you?

Whether you are investing out of state or simply renting out the property next door, finding a good attorney can help protect you and your business through all aspects of a real estate transaction. The right real estate attorney will be skilled in the laws and regulations of your area and will be available to oversee the legal details of your real estate transactions. No matter what side of a transaction you are on, whether it be buyer or seller, a real estate attorney can assist you in several ways. That’s why it’s important to find the best person for the job. Keep reading to learn about the questions to ask real estate attorney professionals before working together.

Why do you need a real estate attorney?

Investors seeking to get started in the world of commercial real estate will find an attorney especially helpful when it comes to acquiring new properties or managing existing ones . Another reason a real estate attorney can be of value to your team is during the rehab process.

What does a closing attorney do?

During the selling and closing process of a home, a real estate closing attorney can help handle the title check and more for the property in question. They are also equipped to handle any unexpected events during the closing process .

Is it important to have a good attorney?

A good attorney is essential, regardless if you are just starting or are already established in the business. There are many qualified attorneys you can use, but you need to find the best real estate attorney. Never make a move in real estate unless you have the backing of an attorney that knows the business.

Why do you need a real estate attorney?

For buyers, the following are all great reasons to seek legal counsel: Out of state/town home purchases. Purchasing a short sale. Purchasing a bank-owned property or foreclosure. Purchasing commercial real estate. Purchasing an estate.

How to sell a house with a lien?

If you are selling property, the below are all scenarios where you may wish to employ a real estate lawyer: 1 Selling a property you inherited 2 Selling a property during a divorce or separation 3 Selling a property with a lien 4 Short-selling a home 5 Selling a home with multiple owners 6 Selling a home with known problems (structural problems, mold and so forth)

What is short selling a home?

Selling a property with a lien. Short-selling a home. Selling a home with multiple owners. Selling a home with known problems (structural problems, mold and so forth) Whether you are buying or selling a home, if you feel uncomfortable with the process, always seek legal advice.

1. How long have you practiced real estate law?

This is an important question to ask because the more experience an attorney has in this specialty, the better. A more inexperienced real estate lawyer may have the best of intentions, but they have probably not had as much exposure to unique situations.

2. What are your specialties within real estate law?

Some lawyers focus their practice on certain aspects of real estate law. They may be well-qualified in one area, but not as experienced in another. If you’re planning to get into real estate investment, then you’ll want an attorney who is well versed in this area of real estate law.

3. How long have you been practicing in this state?

Real estate laws may vary from one state to another. If you’re familiar with what it takes to become a licensed real estate professional such as an agent or a broker, then you’ll know that the tests to become licensed are different among various states because the laws are different.

4. Is their law degree from an accredited law school?

This is an important question to ask, but you may want to do a little research on your own. The lawyer that you are considering should have a verifiable degree from an accredited law school. The attorney should also have passed the bar exam.

5. Does the attorney have skilled staff?

Often, the staff of paralegals working for a real estate attorney does a lot of the legwork involved. It’s a good idea to inquire about the staff and a good way to do this is to check customer reviews online. Find out about what other people have to say about the services they received.

6. How much does the attorney cost for services rendered?

It’s never a bad idea to compare the prices that a few of the certified and reputable real estate attorneys charge. You don’t want to end up paying more than you have to for legal services. While you usually get what you pay for, it doesn’t mean that you need to break the bank with the highest priced attorney in town.

7. Has the attorney handled cases that are similar to yours?

This question is especially important if you’re dealing with a unique real estate case. There are so many scenarios that can arise, that it’s wise to retain an attorney that is familiar with the type of situation you’re dealing with so they won’t miss any important details.

What time do you call a lawyer?

Select the best time for you to receive a follow-up call from a lawyer after your question is answered. ( Required field) Morning (8:00AM to 12:00PM) Afternoon (12:00PM to 5:00PM) Evening (5:00PM to 9:00PM) Other. AM PM.

What happens if you lose a deed?

If the deed is lost or stolen, you have no means of asserting your claim to the property. Worse, if someone records something on the property before you record your deed, they, not you, may have priority in right and may have a superior claim to the property than you do. Once the deed is recorded,... Read More.

Can my mom's share of my property pass to my stepdad?

If the investment property is real estate and your mom and stepdad owned it in joint tenancy, then title would have automatically transferred it to your stepdad upon her death. Usually all that is needed is to record the death certificate. If they owned it as tenants in common then your mom's share would pass to her heirs, either under a will or by the rules of intestacy... Read More

Is probate a question?

As for your question, it's not really a probate question; it's a real estate title question. However, it is sort of related to probate. You appear to state in your post that the real estate attorney told you that, because your mother owned an interest in the property, you need all of your siblings to sign off before...

What does a real estate agent want?

The real estate agent will want you to sign a contract as quickly as possible. The buyer’s attorney will want you to sign a contract quickly. The bank or mortgage company will want the deal to close – so they will be putting the heat on you. And certainly the buyer will want you to take his offer and sign the contract.

Why do you need an attorney to review a contract?

Having your attorney review the contract will help prevent you from making a big mistake. You don’t want to discover that you have signed away important rights, failed to include important protections, or failed to get what you deserve. When it comes to legal advice, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

What is the most important part of a real estate transaction?

Possibly the most important part of the real estate transaction is the purchase agreement. This contract often includes language only a lawyer can understand. The contract may be several hundred pages or it may be a brief document.

Is it risky to accept a home offer without an attorney?

Accepting and/or rejecting offers for a home without involving an attorney is risky business. Each offer presented by the prospective buyer should be in writing and your counter-offer should also be in writing. Attorneys have experience in this process. Whenever athletes or celebrities negotiate big contracts they have their attorneys handle this part of the process. Why should your largest transaction be any different?

What is justia ask a lawyer?

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only. The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, ...

Can you sue for partition?

You sue for partition. Usually the remedy is to sell the property and divide up the proceed s, giving you credit for the upkeep, taxes, and insurance you paid. If you want, you could buy the property at the sale. 1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on Jul 24, 2021.