Do I need a real estate lawyer?

The attorney-client relationship can be one of the most important relationships in a person’s life. As a real estate firm, we have helped clients fulfill their dreams by launching a new business, acquiring and selling key investment properties, and buying a dream home. We have also helped clients struggle through some of the most challenging events in their life when real estate transactions do not go as planned or they are involved in an unwelcome real estate dispute. Determining whether a real estate lawyer is a right fit for you as a client is an important decision. Below is a list of questions and comments to consider when deciding whether a real estate attorney is right for you and your needs.

Can I buy a property without a real estate lawyer?

A home is likely the most significant and expensive purchase a person will make in their lifetime. Most will only buy a home once or twice in a lifetime, making it difficult to become a self-educated expert. Your home is both a short-term place to live, as well as a long-term investment. There is a lot of money on the line. This is why it is so important to ensure all your decisions and financial transactions are protected by someone who understands and abides by the necessary laws and procedures. A real estate lawyer offers a multitude of services that aid their clients in purchasing or selling a home. They take the legal matters related to the purchase or sale entirely off your hands. Legal jargon can be a tough field to navigate and making a mistake can be easy, yet costly. This sentiment particularly rings true if you are buying a home for the first time or selling your home without a real estate agent. The real estate market can have its ups and downs, but if there is one thing that stays consistent when buying or selling a home, it’s the significant amount of paperwork required before you can exchange keys and money.

It is arguably crucial to have the expert advice and guidance of various professionals in your corner to ensure the transaction goes as smoothly as possible. For what ends up being only a small percentage of the home’s cost, hiring a real estate lawyer can be well worth the money for certain people, particularly those with no experience buying or selling a property.

How much do real estate lawyers cost and how are they paid?

Some people may be under the assumption that using a real estate lawyer will lead to unnecessary additional expenses when it comes to buying or selling their home. However, having the ongoing help of a professional advisor who understands the ins and outs of real estate legalities can save you both time and money.

In Florida, real estate attorneys often wear two hats - attorney and title agent. Crystal Golm is one of those attorneys. When we provide title and escrow services for your real estate transaction, in most cases, there are no additional attorney's fees paid. In other words, the standard closing costs for title insurance, document preparation, etc. are all that the parties pay at closing. In fact, we only charge hourly attorney's fees in the event a title issue arises and one of the parties hires us as their attorney to clear the issue. Title issues are not altogether rare, because they do happen from time to time, but by and large, the only fees paid to the "attorney" in most closings are the standard title and escrow fees.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions at  crystalgolm@golmlaw.com .