For those planning to purchase a new home or investment property, there’s a lot to prepare. Finding a real estate agent who knows your target neighborhood, likely finding a mortgage lender you trust, locating documents, and thinking about the dozens of service providers you’ll work with after closing day… and that’s before you start making offers!
But in the planning process, many people forget one of the most impactful partners you can have during the home buying process: an experienced real estate attorney.
Consulting with an attorney may seem daunting. It adds another step to an already complex process. It adds additional expense. Shouldn’t your real estate agent, lender, and title company have everything covered?
The short answer to that question, as you can guess, is no. But what does working with NW Law do for you?
Here are several examples of why you don’t want to purchase a new home without our team:
Contract Disputes: A poorly written or misunderstood contract can lead to disputes that drag on for months, causing delays, financial losses, and stress. From unclear contingencies to misunderstood clauses, you can save yourself a lot of headaches by engaging the services of an experienced real estate attorney. Your attorney is there to ensure that every word in your contract is clear, enforceable, and in your best interest—so there’s no room for confusion later.
Inspection Surprises: You thought the property only had a few small appliance issues, but after moving in, you discover hidden structural issues, plumbing problems, or worse. This is a common “nightmare” for homebuyers who either skip inspections or don’t understand how to navigate the inspection period. We advise our clients how to negotiate repairs or price reductions based on inspections, ensuring you’re getting the home that you are paying for.
Zoning and Land Use Issues: Zoning laws and land use restrictions can limit how a property is used, which can affect its value or your intended project. Navigating local regulations and HOAs can be challenging. Have you ever heard of a shared driveway agreement? When you work with Northwest Law, you have a partner to help you navigate unusual situations that arise when buying real estate.
How Do You Work With Northwest Law When Purchasing a New Home or Property?
In Ohio and Kentucky, it’s a good idea to hire your own attorney to guide you through the purchase process, to ensure you are protecting your interest.
You will likely work with a wonderful real estate agent and experienced lender, however, when making such a large investment, it’s smart to build out an all-star team to support you. Your real estate agent and lender have their own areas of expertise and experience, but a real estate lawyer covers a very different area of expertise.
Time Considerations for Real Estate Transactions
If you’re searching for a property and you don’t have real estate counsel, that’s ok. Be sure to write a 7-day review period into your offer letters, and then when you go into contract, reach out to an attorney right away.
Secure your Future With Northwest Law
For buyers and sellers alike, hiring an attorney to help you through your real estate transaction can help you avoid running into issues that could become very costly down the road. Why risk so much when you’re investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into something you’ll own for years to come? Reach out today to talk to our team and learn more about how much we can do for you.
🚨 DISCLAIMER: The blog published by Northwest Law is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. The blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.