Real Estate Attorney
Your real estate transactions may not always be cut and dry. With an experienced real estate attorney on your side, you can confidently navigate contracts, loans, title insurance, escrow, and more. Your home or commercial property is a large investment. It's in your best interest to secure professional legal advice to ensure things go smoothly.
- Settlement Agent for Buyers, Sellers, and Lenders
- Commercial Property
- Residential Property
- Vacant Land/Large Lot
- Owner’s Title Insurance Policies
- Lender’s Title Insurance Policies
- Escrow Services
- Attorney Opinion Letters
- For Sale by Owners
- Owner Financing
- Loan Refinancing
- 1031 Exchanges
Real Estate Lawyer For…
Buyers
Our real estate lawyers will ensure that your offer on the property is valid. We'll examine and evaluate all transaction documents and provide legal advice.
Sellers
We'll help you negotiate the terms of sale for your home or real property. An attorney protects your rights as a seller by evaluating all the documents and providing legal advice.
Lenders
Our attorneys represent buyers, sellers, and mortgage lenders. We'll prepare or review the necessary documents, ensure that the title is clear, and facilitate the transfer of funds.
When You Need
a Real Estate Lawyer
Commercial real estate lawyers specialize in construction and development projects and zoning issues. Our attorneys will ensure all land plot issues are resolved so that you can build on the property you request.
Residential real estate lawyers can help you buy a home or deal with foreclosures. If you are buying or selling a home, our attorneys can help you draft and finalize contracts or complete a title search. A real estate lawyer is not always required for your transaction, but it can be beneficial if you are dealing with unusual circumstances.
For example, there may be a tax lien on the property from the previous owner. Or, there could be a property line dispute or current tenant on the property. Many real estate transactions are straightforward, but legal issues do arise. In those situations, having an attorney representing your interests can help everything go smoothly.
Residential real estate lawyers can help you buy a home or deal with foreclosures. If you are buying or selling a home, our attorneys can help you draft and finalize contracts or complete a title search. A real estate lawyer is not always required for your transaction, but it can be beneficial if you are dealing with unusual circumstances.
For example, there may be a tax lien on the property from the previous owner. Or, there could be a property line dispute or current tenant on the property. Many real estate transactions are straightforward, but legal issues do arise. In those situations, having an attorney representing your interests can help everything go smoothly.
- Commercial real estate attorneys assist you with land plot issues for construction or development.
- Residential real estate attorneys help you negotiate contracts and resolve unusual issues.
Purchasing Title Insurance
Title insurance offers important protections to both the lender and buyer when purchasing a home. A title confirms your legal ownership of the home, but there are a number of situations that may arise and make the title invalid.
For example, there may be outstanding liens or back taxes on a property. Or, the seller's claim to the property may be disputed by another party. Having title insurance ensures you are protected from serious losses if any issues with the title arise.
Our real estate attorneys offer two types of title insurance:
Owner's Title Insurance
Lender's Title Insurance
Our Underwriter: Stewart Title
For example, there may be outstanding liens or back taxes on a property. Or, the seller's claim to the property may be disputed by another party. Having title insurance ensures you are protected from serious losses if any issues with the title arise.
Our real estate attorneys offer two types of title insurance:
Owner's Title Insurance
- Protects against conflicting ownership claims, such as disputed wills
- Covers outstanding lawsuits and liens
- Protects against flawed records, fraud, or forgery
Lender's Title Insurance
- Protects the lender against losses if the seller cannot legally transfer title rights
- Covers the lender up to the amount of the mortgage
- Often required by lenders in order for borrowers to secure a loan
Our Underwriter: Stewart Title
Working With a Real Estate Attorney
Meet With an Attorney
We'll advise you throughout your residential or commercial real estate transaction.
Negotiate a Contract
We'll draw up all the appropriate documentation like sales contracts or title insurance.
Finalize the Sale
Get the expert legal advice you need to confidently resolve issues and close the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a house?
Most states do not require you to hire a real estate attorney. If you and your agent are concerned about an out-of-the-ordinary legal circumstance, an attorney can help you navigate the issue and negotiate the contract. During the home buying process, an attorney can help you:
- Draft and finalize purchase contracts
- Write amendments to standard contracts drawn up by your real estate agent
- Complete a title search
- Provide title insurance
- Write an attorney opinion letter
What does title insurance cover?
Title insurance protects lenders and homebuyers if there is a problem with a title during a transfer of ownership. Title insurance commonly covers:
- Unpaid taxes
- Liens from homeowners associations, creditors, or other outstanding debts
- Forgery or fraud related to the deed or other documents
- Property disputes, such as a structure encroaching on property lines
- Ownership disputes, such as a contested will or unknown heir
What is a lien?
A property lien is a financial claim to a property, often due to accumulated debt. This includes state, local, or federal tax liens. Other examples include Homeowners Association (HOA) liens if you do not pay HOA fees or judgment liens if you lose a lawsuit or owe credit card debt.
What is an attorney opinion letter?
In some states, including Alabama, you are required to obtain a title opinion letter from an attorney. This letter confirms that our attorneys have reviewed the title examination and did not find any obstacles in your real estate transaction.