Real estate law is a type of civil law that oversees who may own, use and enjoy the land, as well as the buildings on the land. Most people will encounter real estate law, as it affects both home buyers and home sellers, along with homeowners, renters and landlords. Real estate law encompasses both residential and commercial properties and covers a large amount of matters relating to property, including ensuring that land being sold or bought is accurately handled and recorded, and that land is zoned for the correct use.
Real estate lawyers are the legal professionals who specialize in matters relating to real estate. They handle legal issues concerning the buying and selling of properties, along with property disputes. Below are some of the ways that a real estate lawyer can help you.
Real estate lawyers prepare custom contracts and legal documents
As experts of the law, real estate lawyers protect your best interest by preparing custom documents for your specific real estate situation. Rather than relying on standard contracts, real estate lawyers can tailor these documents for your needs. Examples of documents that a real estate lawyer may prepare include the Agreement of Purchase, the Agreement of Sale, and title and closing documentation.
Real estate lawyers carefully examine potential real estate agreements to prevent you from entering bad deals
Through careful due diligence, real estate lawyers ensure that potential real estate deals for home buyers or home sellers are legitimate. In this review process, lawyers may research the history of the property, inspect the title and title insurance, check the zoning of the property, and establish if there are unpaid property tax or utility bills.
Real estate lawyers handle closings
Real estate lawyers review the closing documentation to ensure all the necessary paperwork is in order. They also verify that final issues are resolved before the transaction of a home purchase is completed. Buying a property is a large expense and having the guidance of a legal professional who has a thorough understanding of real estate law can save you both time and money in the closing process.
Real estate lawyers handle real estate disputes
Real estate disputes can occur because of many issues, such as the title and insurance, breach of contract, fraud, and boundary matters. When a real estate dispute occurs, real estate lawyers can assist in resolving the issue. This may include providing legal representation in court or engaging a title company or surveyor to help work through the details.
In short, a real estate lawyer is a legal professional that can help protect your financial and legal interests when buying or selling a home. Whether you are the buyer or the seller of a home, the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas in Austin can help you find a qualified real estate lawyer. Contact us to learn more about our services.