Buying a house is an exciting time, but it can also be one that is filled with potential pitfalls. Having an experienced team of individuals on your side is essential for feeling confident in your purchase. When you hire a real estate attorney, you have someone who will advocate for your best interests while providing knowledgeable guidance.
1. Title Search & Clearance
Before buying a house, you need to do a title search. During this search, the attorney will check the validity of the seller’s house ownership. This confirms that the seller rightfully owns the house and has the right to sell it. They will look for potential issues with the historical line of ownership and any possible complications resulting in legal issues later on.
2. Contract Review
Real estate contracts are lengthy legal documents that have numerous terms. Reviewing one can be overwhelming if you do not have experience with reading and understanding contracts. A real estate attorney will have the expertise and knowledge to review your contract carefully. They will know which terms are required, not required but standard, and unnecessary. With their guidance, you can dispute terms not in your favor.
3. Negotiation Support
At some point you will have the opportunity to negotiate the terms of your sale with the seller. Typically, this happens after an inspection is done on the house. The inspection will enlighten you as the buyer of potential issues with the house. With the assistance of your attorney, you can approach the seller about these issues and negotiate. The attorney has a fiduciary duty to act on their client’s behalf, which means they will look out for your best interests and advocate for you.
4. Closing Assistance
During the closing you will go through a mountain of paperwork and documents. Having an attorney by your side makes the process simpler. Your attorney will assist with keeping all of the documents organized and ensure you fill out and sign your portions correctly.
5. Peace of Mind
Hiring a real estate attorney can give you peace of mind. Buying a home is the largest purchase most people make in their life. With a significant amount of money in savings and a mortgage loan on the line, it can be nerve-wracking to buy a house. This is especially true if you have never purchased a home before. Hiring an attorney can give peace of mind by giving access to legal knowledge and experience.
6. Future Ownership Considerations
When buying a home in Florida, there are several factors to consider that are unique to Florida. An attorney will have experience with these legal issues, as real estate attorneys deal with a wide range of real estate legal matters far beyond buying a house. These issues are crucial to consider before buying a house because they can lead to expensive legal issues later on. An attorney can advise on how HOA regulations can impact future ownership. They can educate their clients about Florida’s homestead exemption for primary residences. There are also hurricane and flood zones to consider. This can have far-reaching impacts, from buying a home that has been impacted by a hurricane to buying flood insurance required by a mortgage lender.
Hire a Real Estate Attorney
If you are ready to buy a house, it is time to hire a real estate attorney. With professional legal representation you have someone knowledgeable looking out for your best interests. With their experienced guidance, you can ensure the contract has favorable terms, have a title search performed, and enjoy peace of mind.
Schedule a consultation and speak with a real estate attorney before buying your next house.
