Purchasing a home is an exciting but daunting task. It's important to seek legal counsel to avoid mistakes and delays during the process. Our law firm is here to guide you every step of the way.

Buying Residential Real Estate:  Your home is the biggest investment you will ever make. Knowing what to expect during the home-buying process is crucial. Here are some key highlights:

Team up with a Real Estate Lawyer:  You must decide whether you need a real estate lawyer. A lawyer can protect your rights and make sure you don't experience any delays during the home buying process. They can ensure you receive the best deal while ensuring you don't suffer from any legal or formality issues. Hiring a real estate lawyer can help make sure your real estate transaction is legally sound.

Team up with a Real Estate Agent:  An agent can help guide you through the buying process, from determining your budget to finding your home and placing an offer, to closing on the purchase of your house. If you're new to purchasing a home or the area, an agent can be a valuable asset.

Find Your New Home:  Looking for your new home is an exciting part of the process. Attend open houses and schedule walkthroughs. Be sure to stay within your budget to avoid disappointment.

Make an Offer:  Once you've found your perfect home, it's time to make an offer. An attorney can help guide you through this process and anticipate whether other buyers are likely to bid against you.

Financing, Appraisals, and Inspections:  Financing is a key part of buying a home. You must have the home and property inspected and appraised to ensure there are no issues that could impact the value of the property.

Attend the Closing:  Closing is when you can finalize the purchase of your new home. You will be given a list of items to bring with you. Once the paperwork is executed, you will receive the keys to your new home.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a New Home:  Several factors should be considered before purchasing a home. They include:

• Your Budget. What can you comfortably afford? If you will be taking out a mortgage to buy the property, what is the monthly payment amount you can pay, and how much is the lender willing to loan you?
• Your Desired Location. You should decide where you want to live and be specific about it. Do you want to be close to work? Or maybe it is important to live close to recreational places of interest?
• Local Schools. Even if you do not plan on having children, it is still important to move into a good school district in case you decide to sell the home one day. A home in a good school district typically sells more quickly and for more money than one in an unpopular district.
• Other factors to consider include things like your commute time, noise levels, and HOA costs and fees.

A real estate lawyer can address specific factors related to your unique home-buying experience.

Seller Disclosure Requirements:  Sellers are required to disclose certain matters when they sell their homes. A real estate lawyer can help ensure that the seller discloses all required information.  Although this varies widely by jurisdiction, some of the most common disclosures include:  Neighborhood nuisances, such as a shooting range nearby; any known structural defects or hazards; and environmental hazards.  Failure to disclose the required information can result in lawsuits or fines against the seller. That said, keep in mind certain sellers may not be required to disclose information. For example, in some states, if the party selling a house inherited it but never lived in it, they will not be expected to complete a disclosure statement.

How a Residential Real Estate Lawyer Can Benefit Your New Home Purchase:  Hiring a real estate lawyer can be advantageous when purchasing a new home or residential property. For instance,

• Loyalty. Remember that for most people, purchasing a home is one of the largest investments they will make in a lifetime, so getting it right matters. There are many potential parties in a real estate transaction, from the seller, the lender, the real estate agent or broker, the title company, and more. Most have their own interests in mind but one: your real estate lawyer. Your lawyer will be loyal to you, your needs, and your wants.
• Title Search. Simply because you end up with keys to a new home does not mean you own it. A title search must be conducted, and it must be thorough. There may be other interested parties who can take the home if issues are not dealt with before closing. A lawyer will conduct a thorough search to uncover any hidden title issues, saving you time and money.
• Documents. Your lawyer can draft, review, and negotiate documents on your behalf. This is critical because you may not understand exactly what a document's terms and conditions are or mean. A lawyer can explain things to you in a digestible manner so that you are informed. When you are informed, you can make better decisions for yourself.
• Suggestions. A lawyer who has been in the real estate industry for a while knows a few things that may benefit you. The lawyer can suggest when a new survey should be made of a property, how to save on insurance, and other tips you may not have known.

Real Estate:

    - Residential Purchases

    - Residential Sales

    - Property Transfers

    - Commercial Purchases

 

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