Questions You Should Ask During Your Free Consultation
Buying or selling real estate is likely to be the most complex transaction you will make in your lifetime, and many questions, and sometimes complications, arise during the process. When that happens, most people will call their real estate agent or broker.
Since it’s also a fact that mistakes or oversights that sometimes happen during the real estate transaction can cause major legal consequences, especially if the deal is complicated or risky, it’s wise to consult with a real estate attorney.
We put together 5 general questions you should ask during your free lawyer consultation in NYC to make sure you’ve got the perfect legal match:
- Questions About Lawyer’s Experience
It’s smart to learn how much real-life legal experience your real estate attorney has, and what percentage of an attorney’s practice is devoted to real estate transactions.
Since not all real estate matters are created equal, determining if your attorney has dealt with transactions similar to yours will give you a better idea if he or she will be able to foresee potential issues and handle them on your behalf.
You want a lawyer who will not only negotiate on your behalf, but also take steps to ensure that you are aware of any legal particulars in your state, and that the contract follows all state laws, as well as addresses any specific issues.
Finally, find out who you will work with directly, who will do the most work on your legal matter, and make sure you’re comfortable with that person.
- Questions About Your Case
Experienced real estate lawyers will be able to provide a rough outline of the actions that need to be taken based on your case.
This may include filing of certain documents, reviewing contracts, amending contracts, title search, etc. And, it’s wise to ask about any actions that you should or should not take, as you certainly want to protect yourself during such important and complex transactions.
- Questions About the Process
Find out what the process of buying or selling a property looks like. You want to learn about possible difficulties and obstacles that might arise, such as disputes over repairs, title issues and appraisal issues. That’s why it’s so vital to have your attorney review your contract and make suggestions before you sign it.
Your real estate lawyer is there to protect you and make the process easier.
- Questions About the Cost
You want to know about the cost of the legal services, so you can plan ahead.
Ask your real estate lawyer what his or her hourly rate is, how much the retainer is, and whether or not the fee is a fixed or time-based fee.
You also want to ask what is included in the service and if you’ll need to pay for anything else in the process. Finally, inquire about what the things are that could change how much their services cost.
- Questions About Timelines and Expectations
You also want to ask of the approximate timelines to determine how long your case could take. Don’t hesitate to ask when you can expect to hear from your lawyer next.
Another great question to ask is: Are my expectations realistic?
Try to have reasonable expectations. The legal system and real estate law does not always work the way we want, so you may not get everything you want. And, delays sometimes happen.
Having Levin Law Group’s experienced, competent real estate lawyers by your side to look out for your legal interests with seasoned eyes will help ensure the transaction proceeds smoothly.
When searching for free consultation lawyers in NYC and other nearby areas, contact our real estate attorneys who are expert in assisting individuals and business entities in a broad spectrum of residential and commercial real estate transactions.