Buying or selling a home can be a complicated affair, but that’s what real estate agents are for, right? Your agent can guide you through the process and help give you the information you need to know to make important decisions. Not so fast.

While a real estate agent is a critical part of the transaction, your agent cannot give you legal advice. They cannot represent your interests in the event of a dispute, nor can they help you draft a contract to protect those interests. This is why having a real estate lawyer is important, regardless of whether you are buying or selling. Here’s a closer look.

Your Lawyer Can Review and Draft Contracts

A real estate contract is legal and binding, so it’s crucial to make sure it says exactly what you need it to say. It specifies every aspect of the contract and the verbiage can either create or resolve problems for you later on down the road.

Your Florida real estate lawyer can review contracts that are proposed to you to make sure they align with your interests, they can suggest amendments to those contracts, or they can draft original contracts as needed. A real estate attorney can help you be confident that your contract doesn’t hinder you and only benefits you.

Your Lawyer Can Do Due Diligence

Before purchasing a home, your real estate attorney will do a title and lien search. It’s important to ensure that the title on the home is clear and that the seller of the property has the right to sell it to you. There should not be liens, judgments, or encumbrances that will slow the transaction down or prevent it altogether. Your lawyer will inform you if the title and lien search was clear, or if there is a problem that could prevent the purchase of the home.

Your Lawyer Can Help You Close

Although a closing can be done without a lawyer, it’s always in your best interest to have your attorney attend the closing to ensure there are no last-minute obstacles. Your attorney can handle disputes over closing costs, prepare the paperwork necessary for closing, and see to it that the transaction is finished out smoothly.

Contact a Florida Real Estate Attorney Today

If you are planning on buying or selling a home, protect your interests by working with an attorney from the start. Contact Attorney Joseph Hughes today for a consultation by calling (954) 256-5125.