Do you really need a lawyer to buy real estate? Or is it more of a nice-to-have? This isn’t a black and white answer, but first let’s start with the high level view. 

Do You Need an Attorney to Buy Real Estate?

The short answer is that it depends. Some states require you to have an attorney to file the paperwork. Many states don’t require an attorney. To find out if your state needs one, simply ask your real estate agent. You can also look on Google, but sometimes it’s better to get your information from the direct source.

So if an attorney isn’t always required, why do so many people use them when they buy a home? In our opinion, everyone should hire an attorney when they buy or sell a house. There are two main reasons why we say that. 

Why Should You Hire an Attorney to Buy a Home?

The first reason why you should hire an attorney to help buy a house is to manage the paperwork. There is a lot of paperwork involved in buying a home. You want to make sure someone who knows what they’re doing is there to help you handle everything. 

Something else to keep in mind is that legal issues can come up. While your agent may be good at negotiating things, they may not be law experts.

Attorneys are also very detail-oriented. They have sharp eyes and will be able to find flaws or mistakes in the various papers involved in the transaction. A real estate agent may be trained to catch certain flaws, but a lawyer may be able to better catch flaws or mistakes within the various papers. A home is likely the largest purchase you will make in your life and you can’t be too careful.

How Do You Choose an Attorney to Work With?

Once you’ve decided you’re going to use an attorney, there are several ways to find the best one to work with. 

Look at Online Reviews – What do various reviews online say about real estate attorneys in your area? Do people give them great marks, saying they’ll work with the office again? Or do they give negative reviews saying the attorney was slow, unresponsive, hard to work with, or anything else that would make you hesitate?

Ask Your Agent- Your agent is likely closing on houses on a regular basis. They’re used to sitting in these types of meetings with attorneys and know who the good ones are. They should be able to recommend one or two good ones to you. 

Ask Friends and Family – People you know may be able to give some recommendations. The main benefit of asking them is they see it from a client perspective, just like you will. 

At the end of the day, not everyone needs a real estate attorney, but we highly recommend you invest in one, because buying a home is an expensive, complex process and having an extra set of eyes is always a good thing. If you still need an attorney to help you, please send us an email at Info@voneschlaw.com or give us a call at 714.456.9118. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Courtesy of Cuselleration