when we need lawyer when you sell house

by Laurine Ullrich 4 min read

How much does a real estate attorney cost?

Real estate attorneys cost $150–350 per hour, and usually bill in six minute increments. Or, they may charge a flat fee for certain services. Costs...

Should I use a real estate attorney if I'm selling FSBO?

Unless you're an experienced seller, you should hire a real estate attorney to prepare the purchase agreement and other documents when you sell FSB...

How do I find a real estate attorney?

A great real estate agent can refer you to a great real estate attorney. You can also find real estate lawyers through professional organizations l...

Why do sellers need an attorney?

Some sellers also appreciate that an attorney can help navigate legal issues and protect them from future litigation or conflict.

What can a real estate lawyer do?

A real estate lawyer can help you understand your rights as well as your tenants’ rights, and help protect you from litigation.

Why is a real estate attorney important?

A good real estate attorney provides a backstop for your real estate agent, finding loopholes in the purchase agreement, saving you money with contingencies, and maybe even insulating you from lawsuits years down the line. Let’s go over some of the situations where hiring a real estate attorney is a good move, the responsibilities ...

How much do real estate attorneys make an hour?

Real estate attorneys are paid by the hour — market rates are between $150 and $350. You may be able to negotiate a flat rate, or a cap on the number of hours they work on your behalf.

How much does a real estate lawyer charge?

Real estate lawyers usually charge $150-350 an hour, or may offer flat fee rates for straightforward work

What to do if the owner of a home doesn't set up a living trust?

If the owner didn’t set up a living trust, you’ll want a lawyer to guide you through probate before you sell the home.

Why do agents work on commission?

Works On Commission. Because most agents work on commission, they make more money the higher the final sale price goes. That’s great if your priority is extracting every possible dollar from your sale. But sometimes sellers just want a quick sale, or want their property to pass onto someone who appreciates it.

Why do you need a lawyer for a home purchase?

A lawyer can help you avoid some common problems with a home purchase or sale. For example, a seller may sign a brokerage agreement that does not deal with a number of legal issues. This happens quite often as realtors often use standard forms, expecting that they will cover all situations.

What is real estate lawyer?

A real estate lawyer is trained to handle these problems and has the most experience to deal with them.

What is the role of a realtor in a home purchase?

In the typical home purchase, the seller enters into a contract with a real estate agent, usually in writing. When the broker finds a potential buyer, they conduct the negotiations and most often act as an intermediary (the go-between).

What is the formal contract for the sale of a home?

Once an informal agreement is reached, the buyer and seller enter into a formal written contract for the sale of the new home. This is known as the purchase agreement . The home buying process then follows the following steps:

What is the most important document in a home purchase?

The purchase agreement is the single most important document in the transaction. Although standard printed forms are useful, a lawyer is helpful in explaining the forms and making changes and additions to reflect the home buyer's and the seller's desires. There are many issues that may need to be addressed in the purchase agreement, such as:

Can a seller be forced to pay more than one brokerage commission?

In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the seller may become liable to pay a brokerage commission even if a sale does not occur, or they may be forced to pay more than one brokerage commission. If the agreement allows the seller the right to negotiate on their own behalf, however, you may avoid this potential problem.

Who receives the purchase price bargained for in the contract?

Finally, the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer, and the seller receives the purchase price bargained for in the contract.

Why Is A Real Estate Lawyer Necessary?

A real estate attorney specializes in working only with real estate dealings. They must be familiar with the entire process of selling and buying a house and can represent the buyer, seller, or lender. The rules defining the participation of a real estate attorney vary from state to state.

When You Need A Lawyer To Sell Your House

Apart from state laws, there are other reasons why you might need a lawyer to sell your house. For example, you need to have a clear and comprehensive purchase contract.

Conclusion

In short, the decision to hire a lawyer when selling your house depends on your personal preference, the law, and the condition of your house. All these issues and problems vanish, however, if you are working with Trusted House Buyers.

Why do you need an attorney when selling a house?

You’re the heir or executor of a property whose owner is now deceased. You’re selling a house with an uncooperative partner. You have judgments or liens on the property.

What is the job of a real estate attorney?

The job of a real estate attorney is to negotiate and make a transaction come together in a peaceful manner that’s fair and amenable to all parties. A real estate attorney takes over after the selling price and terms have been established by the real estate agents in the contract and all parties have signed.

What is the education required for real estate agents?

As part of agents’ licensing education, they’re taught and tested on real estate contracts used within their state, many of which also require continuing education courses and/or certifications on subjects such as ethics, buyer’s agency, distressed property sales, and more.

Which states require a real estate attorney to be present at closing?

These include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Keep in mind that these rules can vary by region within states, too.

Who attends closing with real estate agent?

In case any last-minute issues crop up, the attorney will attend your closing along with your real estate agent and possibly a representative from your lender.

Does realtor.com make commissions?

The realtor.com ® editorial team highlights a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration; clicking a link to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission.

What happens when you hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, your lawyer only works for you and will make sure your interests are protected. 4. There is a problem with the property or the deal. A lawyer can help you resolve some of the tougher, more technical issues that might come up.

What to do if you are buying a home and have legal questions?

If you're buying or selling your home and have legal questions, check out our personal legal plan and talk to an independent attorney in your state .

What to do if someone threatens to sue you?

You may also need legal advice if the property is involved in a foreclosure or other litigation, or if you get into a dispute with the buyer or seller. Always talk to a lawyer if someone threatens to sue you. 5. You are concerned about the tax consequences.

What can a lawyer do for you?

A lawyer can help you resolve some of the tougher, more technical issues that might come up. These may include easements, rights of way, boundary disputes, or other issues involving the property the house is on. You may also need legal advice if the property is involved in a foreclosure or other litigation, or if you get into a dispute with the buyer or seller. Always talk to a lawyer if someone threatens to sue you.

What is a "for sale by owner" deal?

A “for sale by owner" deal can save you money on real estate commissions, but you still need someone to prepare the purchase agreement, deed, and other documents. A lawyer can get your paperwork in order, ensure the title is good, and help you with the fine points of negotiating the transaction. 3.

What happens if you make an offer on a house and aren't represented by a real estate agent

If you make an offer on a house and aren't represented by a real estate agent, the seller's agent may offer to take care of everything. This is known as “dual agency," and it can cause problems because one agent cannot truly look out for the best interests of both you and the seller.

Can you deduct home office expenses if you are a seller?

If you are the seller, you could be liable for capital gains tax if the home has increased in value. If you are the buyer, you may be able to deduct mortgage interest, home office expenses, and some or all of your property tax.

Who pays for home inspections?

Home inspections, ordered and paid for by either the buyer or seller depending on the locality, must be performed and the results may lead to a further negotiation of price. Agree with the buyer who pays for further inspections, like septic tank, pests, and determine the limits for repair, if any are required.

Do you need an attorney for a cash deal?

Does a Home Seller Need an Attorney for a Cash Deal? A real estate contract is complicated. Unless you’re a licensed real estate agent, an attorney or well-versed in the language of contracts, it’s a good idea to have a professional on your side when title changes hands, even if it’s an all-cash deal. Some states require a real estate attorney ...

Is an all cash deal the same as a mortgage?

An all-cash deal has many of the same contingencies as a mortgage-bound contract. Be sure you enter into the agreement with a state-approved purchase contract and that you read all the terms and conditions. Note the time frame of all contingencies and guide the process.

Do you have to calculate taxes before closing?

All taxes must be computed before closing. Pro-ration of amounts is calculated and added to the closing statement of both seller and buyer. Calculate all state, county and city taxes. There is also a recording fee charged. Know what that is and how to record the sale once it’s completed.

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Local Laws

For Sale by The Owner

  • Apart from state laws, there are other reasons why you might need a lawyer to sell your house. For example, you need to have a clear and comprehensive purchase contract. While some real estate agents can help you prepare this contract, sometimes you will need a qualified real estate attorney to review the terms of your purchase contract to avoid pr...
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Liens and Judgments

Title Issues

  • Depending upon where you live, it might be required by law that you use an attorney for at least part of the process of selling your home; check with your real estate agentor look at the laws in your area to see if attorneys are required in your state.
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Easements

  • If you’re opting to forego working with a real estate agent in selling your home, then you’ll almost certainly want to find an attorney to aid you in selling your homeunder FSBO. Whether you have an agent or not, there’s still considerable paperwork to prepare and review in the process, plus laws, disclosures, and regulations to be aware of, and those aren’t items you can likely navigate alone…
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Divorce

  • If you have any outstanding liens or judgments against your property, you’ll need to resolve them before you go through with any sale, and might want to take care of any problems even before engaging with a buyer. An attorney will help you by negotiating with lienholders or creditors to ensure they’re paid what is owed and these encumbrances are re...
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Foreclosures/Short Sales

  • Liens or judgments are the most frequent issues that are found when a title search is done, but aren’t the only problems that can be uncovered. Clerical errors, illegal deeds, or even previously unknown heirs to the property can bring the sale to a halt, and all require the help of an attorney to navigate.
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Tenants

  • Your property might have an easement upon it that gives another party access or right to use some portion of the land, which, depending on the nature and extent, may not be an appealing feature to a potential buyer. Sellers may want to determine the durability of that easement in event of sale, or see if there is a way to terminate the easement in advance, and an experienced attorn…
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Estate

  • Many couples that buy a home together eventually split up, and handling the eventual sale of the home can be tricky if both names remain on the deed and mortgage. If you’ve gone through, or are going through a divorce, and are looking to sell your shared home, you’ll need to untangle the home’s ownership and coordinate the closing signatures, disposition of the home, and proceed…
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Legalshield Attorneys Want to Help You Through Your Home Selling Journey

  • If you’re experiencing financial trouble and are far enough behind on your mortgage payments that foreclosure is a reality or a very likely possibility, you’ll likely want help to figure out what your options are. An attorney can help you negotiate with your mortgage company to determine if there is a way to modify or refinance your loan to avoid foreclosure, or if not, can help negotiate a shor…
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