Real estate lawyers assist in the process of buying or selling property by offering legal representation to advocate for the interests of their clients.
From the sale of a home to a messy property dispute, real estate lawyers or property attorneys help their clients understand their options, alert them to red flags, and negotiate the legality of the process in adherence with local and federal regulations.
Who can hire a real estate lawyer? How can they help? Do you have to hire a property attorney?
How a Real Estate Lawyer Can Help
Professional real estate lawyers can offer legal advice at any stage in a residential or commercial property transaction. Buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, heirs, or any party involved in a property deal can seek a real estate lawyer’s legal representation.
Property attorneys can help to:
- Explain county, state, and federal real estate laws.
- Identify potential risks associated with a property.
- Recommend inspections and review previous property inspections.
- Navigate zoning issues and regulations.
- Anticipate potential property taxes.
- Ensure you obtain the proper permits.
- Negotiate rights to utilities.
- Prepare and proof documents, including contracts.
- Ensure legal transfer of ownership and a clean, marketable title.
- Facilitate the closing process.
Real estate lawyers can also litigate fraud cases (disclosure fraud, mortgage fraud, etc.), assist with estate planning and litigation, help you file a quiet title action, or guide you through any legal battle on a property.
Should You Hire a Property Attorney?
Hiring a real estate lawyer can help you minimize stress and avoid legal and financial pitfalls when initiating any property transaction. However, there are several scenarios in which seeking legal consultation is especially advisable.
According to Forbes, “Here are some situations that are unusual and might require an attorney’s advice and negotiating skills:
- You’re buying a home that is part of a special type of sale, such as an estate sale, short sale, auction, or purchase from a bank.
- You’re purchasing a home that’s in another state.
- You’re selling a home that is a central part of a divorce settlement.
- You’re selling a home previously owned by a family member, and you are in charge of the estate.
- You’re buying or selling a property that has major issues, such as structural damage.
- You have major financial issues and are trying to sell a property that has liens on it”.
In any case, while hiring a real estate lawyer does represent an added cost, this investment can help protect you from more costly risks in the future. It will also save you from countless hours of trying to make sense of all the fine print on your own.
Tulsa Real Estate Lawyer
Reddy & Feldhake, P.C. is a top-rated Tulsa, OK law firm specializing in negotiation, litigation, and trial proceedings regarding all areas of family law, including property transactions and estate planning.
Our firm handles the technical side, offering document preparation for deeds, transfers, and contracts, giving you the help you need to navigate potentially stressful legal matters with confidence.
Please contact us to schedule a free consultation.