A real estate sale or purchase is a major financial transaction — likely the biggest one most people will make in their lifetime. Given the amount of money involved, as well as the legal components of any home sale, the services of a real estate attorney should be considered essential. Here are a few ways a lawyer can guide you through the complicated process.

How Can a Real Estate Attorney Help During a Home Purchase or Sale?

1. Review & Draft All Documentation & Contracts

The amount of paperwork in a real estate transaction can quickly mount up. You’ll be asked to read hundreds of pages of documentation, records, and contracts, and much of this paperwork will contain complex legal terms. A real estate attorney will take on this challenge for you, reviewing everything with your best interests in mind. They’ll also draw up contracts, which are at the heart of any real estate purchase or sale, and explain your rights and responsibilities in the transaction.

2. Perform a Title Search

A title search is basically an in-depth dive into public records to determine the history of the property and its ownership. The search can reveal crucial information that a buyer or seller should know about a property, such as an existing lien or unpaid taxes, before closing the sale. Mortgage lenders almost always require the buyer to have title insurance, and obtaining a title search is necessary for acquiring this coverage. Your real estate attorney will perform the search, identify any potential problem areas, and explore all available options for resolving issues quickly and efficiently.

3. Guide You at Closing

The closing is the culmination of the sale, where all documents are signed, and the deed is transferred to the new owner. For everyone in the transaction, this is often the most stressful time. Your real estate attorney will attend the closing, do a last-minute review of the paperwork, and handle any eleventh-hour issues that might arise. If nothing else, an attorney will give you some much-needed peace of mind during what is likely a hectic time.

Having the support of a real estate attorney will legally protect you at every step of your home sale or purchase. Rely on the lawyers at Adams, Ellard & Frankum P.C. to guide you in the process. They represent clients throughout Habersham County, GA, in real estate, business law, and estate planning matters. To learn more about their services or to schedule a consultation, call (706) 754-2171.