Real Estate Attorneys Make Selling Your House Easier

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Many people don't realize how much a real estate attorney can help when they're selling a house. The thought of hiring a lawyer to help sell your house may seem like a luxury, but, in some states, it is actually a requirement. Having a real estate lawyer on your side when things get complicated for the average homeowner - or even a real estate agent - can be invaluable, and our Legal Subscription Plans for Families and Individuals makes having a lawyer during the sale of your home affordable.

Local Laws

Some are surprised to learn that there are local laws surrounding the sale of real estate, and violating them unknowingly can be costly. A real estate attorney can walk you through any local laws or regulations and advise you on how to comply with them.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

When a home is sold without the aid of a real estate agent or a broker, it is called a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) arrangement.  While it is not illegal to sell your home without a professional representing you, there is a considerable amount of paperwork, documentation, and regulations that you will need to navigate. If you are selling your home on your own, a real estate lawyer can advise and guide you through the process and give you additional guidance if issues come up.

Judgments and Liens

Before you sell your home, you'll need to settle any adjustments or liens on the property. These kinds of issues should probably be addressed before listing the property for sale as they can scare away potential buyers. An attorney well versed in real estate law in your state can help you negotiate payment plans or otherwise ensure that these roadblocks are removed.

Title Search

Liens and Judgments typically are found during the title search process, but the title search can also uncover other problems, such as clerical errors, unknown heirs or claimants, or illegal deeds, any of which can slow down or stop the sale process. Real estate attorneys are experienced dealing with these issues and can prove invaluable.

Easements

An easement is an agreement with another party that grants them rights to access your property or build on your land for certain purposes; for instance, the local government may have the right to put in utility lines through your land. Certain buyers may turn down buying your property based on these agreements, depending on how restrictive they are. A lawyer can help you through the process of determining the restrictions and how durable the agreement is and if the agreement may be dissolved, and, if so, how that can be done.

Home Sales After Divorces

Selling a shared marital home can be stressful, and the situation can be complicated if both spouses are named on the deed. A real estate attorney can help you unravel the question of ownership and the division of the asset.

Foreclosures

When the unexpected happens, having an affordable option to legal advice can help you move forward without breaking the bank. A real estate attorney through our network of qualified, dedicated law firms can help you negotiate with your mortgage lender to adjust or refinance your home, helping you avoid foreclosure. If this option won't work, your lawyer can also help you negotiate a possible short sale with loan forgiveness.

Tenants

Renters can help with a mortgage, but they can also sometimes present their own set of problems, especially when you want to sell your home. Tenants have rights and cannot be evicted because you're selling your house. An attorney can advise you on the legal aspects of your tenant so that you stay within the law to your renter and selling your home.

Estates

When you inherit a home, selling the asset can be complicated. Estate sales are one of the main reasons that people contact attorneys regarding real estate, and for good reason. An experienced, dedicated real estate lawyer can make sure that the sale of an inherited property is done properly and that the tax burden doesn't weigh you down.

All of the above aspects of selling a home are great reasons to contact a real estate attorney if you're considering selling property, and with our Legal Protection Plans for Individuals and Families starting at just $29.95 per month, it is an affordable option to making sure that the sale is as easy and stress-free as possible. Learn more about all the benefits of our legal subscription plans or sign up today!