Buying or selling a home is complicated for anyone, whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced flipper. There are a lot of moving parts in every real estate transaction, which means that even the slightest hiccup can cause the entire deal to fall apart. That’s why choosing the right closing attorney is just as important as choosing the right property – some might look perfect at first, but the right choice should be the one that you can really live with.
So how do you find the right closing attorney for your needs? Hey, thanks for asking! We are experts, after all. We’ve put together a list of a few things that will help save you hours of internet searching (and potentially thousands of dollars in misplaced legal fees).
1) Service, service, service.
They say that the most important factor in real estate is location, location, location. But what happens after you find that perfect spot? You want a closing attorney that has time for you – someone who is available to answer your questions, handle unexpected issues, and be there for you when you need them. Buying and selling property is a major financial transaction, and you want to be sure that your money (and your sanity) is in the right hands.
2) The client always comes first.
This is a principle that applies across almost every business model, but it’s especially important in real estate. Your closing attorney should be prioritizing your needs, not the needs of their firm. Working with an independent attorney can help ensure that you, the client, will always come first. You want someone who is upfront about what they require from you, and in turn, honest about what they are doing and why. These key details can be lost when you work with a major firm that is trying to meet quotas (which could result in hidden fees).
3) It’s all about who you know.
Real estate is a word-of-mouth market. If you’re looking for an agent, where do you turn: the internet, or your friends and neighbors? The same goes for finding the right closing attorney. Some large firms might have shiny offices and slick marketing campaigns, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best at what they do. Look for a closing attorney who has established relationships with your trusted neighbors, friends, or colleagues. The impression a closing attorney leaves with their clients is far more important than the number of floors in their office building.
In closing (wink wink), finding the right attorney is crucial to a successful experience. The best choice is someone who makes themselves available to you, who puts your interests first, and who comes with a solid reputation. Or, make it easy on yourself and stop looking – you’ve already found us.