REAL ESTATE: Purchase, Sale or Transfer of Residential Properties

For most people, the purchase or sale of a residence is an exciting and emotionally charged transaction, involving hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. It is often a significant part of a legacy to be passed on to loved ones. Experienced legal representation is an important component for a smooth and successful transaction, and a significant factor in avoiding or limiting risk and loss.

Our real estate attorneys perform many functions for the benefit of clients, when they are buying or selling, or both. Although some of these services are not readily apparent or even discussed with clients, they can have dramatic implications for a home seller or buyer.

In order to navigate as efficiently and smoothly as possible through a potentially complex transaction, here are some of the services our clients appreciate at every step of buying and selling residential properties:

• Review the real estate contract, compare the contract's terms to local standards, advise you on the risks associated with the transaction and suggest modifications to the contract that would be appropriate to your circumstances and concerns;
• Demand and negotiate repairs and/or purchase price credits for defects found after inspection and make sure that those repairs are made in a satisfactory manner;
• Ensure compliance with the applicable requirements of the subject municipality including inspections, transfer tax reporting, zoning and others, such as when and where a radon test is advisable, or the necessity of mold remediation;
• Keep you on track to performing all contractual requirements in a timely manner including the payment of earnest money, repairs, closing date and others;
• Procure, analyze and clear a commitment for title insurance, including obtaining a waiver of all title exceptions raised;
• Procure, analyze and deal with problems associated with a reliable survey of the property;
• Ensure that the other party has complied with all contractual requirements; and
• Preparation and/or review and approval of all closing documents.