How To Find The Right Real Estate Attorney Near You
Whether you are buying, selling, or leasing property in Somers and throughout Westchester, deciding which local real estate lawyer to hire is an important step.
Real estate contracts tend to be full of legal language that can be challenging for the average person to understand. However, if you select the right real estate attorney to assist you, he or she can help relieve the stress of the deal by ensuring that all of your documents are in order and ready to be signed, that the deed is in proper form, and all the necessary paperwork has been prepared in accordance not only with New York State law, but also according to local custom.
That said, choosing the right real estate attorney will go a long way in ensuring that the buying, selling, or leasing process is a smooth one.
Here are some tips on choosing a real estate lawyer in Somers and the rest of Westchester County.
1. Choose A Lawyer Focused On Real Estate
It may seem obvious, but some clients mistakenly retain any lawyer regardless of their main area of practice. For example, some might choose a family friend who helped with a recent divorce regardless of whether that attorney is experienced with real estate matters. New York real estate law and local customs are complex and constantly changing, and an experienced real estate lawyer have handled significant numbers of transactions, much like yours. Hire a lawyer who works primarily in the area of real estate and you will end up with the results you want.
2. Experience Matters
Find a real estate lawyer who has at least several years of experience. This means that the real estate lawyer will have pretty much seen it all and can provide the right guidance and advice during the course of your transaction.
3. Choose A Lawyer With Integrity
Many attorneys offer an initial consultation free of charge. Take advantage of this. Spend a few minutes on the phone to try and determine whether the attorney is forthcoming. Instinctively, some people have the ability to determine an individual’s character within a few minutes of interacting with the person. However, there are a few personality traits that can also tip you off. If the lawyer refers you to his or her assistant for the initial consultation, fails to explain the usual process of buying and selling real estate in the Westchester area, or simply evades straightforward questions, he or she may not be the right lawyer for you.
5. Lawyers Can Do What Realtors Cannot Do
In every area of New York, including Somers, it is common for parties to retain real estate attorneys to represent them when buying, selling, or leasing. Why? Because real estate brokers and agents have different training and certifications as compared to real estate attorneys. That is not to say that real estate lawyers are more important than realtors. Rather, the different professionals play very different roles when their respective clients are involved in real estate transactions. For example, a patient does not consult with a cardiologist when he or she has a bunion on their foot, and vice versa. The same goes for realtors and real estate attorneys.
6. Check Real Estate Lawyer Reviews Online
There are many resources online that allow clients to provide reviews of attorneys whom they have hired to represent them in different types of legal matters. By reviewing the experiences other clients had with a particular real estate attorney in Somers, you can judge whether any particular attorney might be the right fit for you.
7. Don’t Call A Real Estate Attorney Too Late
Avoid signing a contract before contacting a real estate attorney, regardless of what any of your family, friends, or other professionals may encourage you to do. No one is going to be familiar with New York real estate law other than a local real estate attorney. Therefore, contact a real estate lawyer before you encounter problems so that your attorney can protect you from worst-case scenarios. For example, if you have already purchased a property and found some unpaid taxes that were not paid prior to taking title to the property, you’re likely now responsible for the taxes as the new owner. However, if you hired a lawyer from the beginning, you won’t encounter these kinds of problems.
Give us a ring or email us and let’s talk about how we can help you buy or sell your next home.