Things To Look For in a Good Real Estate Attorney

When you seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in real estate law, you should ask a few pre-screening questions. Getting this information upfront will help you determine if the lawyer is the right fit for your situation.

Experience

Typically, the more experience a lawyer has, the better. Find out how long the attorney has been practicing. If you are working with a specific type of property, such as residential, commercial, or multifamily units, you will want to find a legal professional with experience in that particular branch of real estate.

When you opt for someone who is well versed in the area you will be dealing with, they will likely be able to handle challenging or complicated issues quicker and with greater ease.

References

You should not be shy when it comes to asking for references. A real estate attorney like the ones at LegalShield should be comfortable giving you these also. The referrals might come from past or current clients, other lawyers or legal professionals, or family and friends.

You can search for any online reviews about the person or the law office, but these should carry little weight in your final decision. The remarks may not be from vetted sources.

Communication

Find out how the office will communicate with you. If an assistant will be contacting you, meet that person. Ask if you will be receiving updates or will they just call you when they need to. Find out if they will be sending you emails so that you will know to be on the lookout for them.

If you have a problem or question and want to get a hold of them, ask how you should communicate with them. Some offices will accept emails, while others may want you to call or make an appointment.

Other Services

Real estate attorneys work hand-in-hand with title officers, and some attorneys are title agents themselves, or they have one on staff.

Many documents pass between the lawyer and title company, so it can save time and confusion if there is an in-house title professional or a preferred partner.

Supporting Staff

It is not uncommon for a busy real estate attorney to have auxiliary staff, but you want to know if the lawyer will be working on your case or will be passed down to someone else. If so, find out who these other people are and their titles. They might be paralegals or junior attorneys. In many cases, this is fine. They can often handle the routine paperwork, and if something different comes up, the principal lawyer can step in.

If a team is working on your file, get their names and contact information. It can be helpful to have more than one point of contact at a law office. The attorney you hire is responsible for the entire transaction.

Finding a lawyer who specializes in the complicated matters surrounding real estate is not a difficult process if you know what to ask. These few tips can make finding the right legal team for your needs quicker and easier.

Ayesha Saeed

Ayesha completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and started her career as a College Lecturer in 2013. Today, she’s a happy mom of 2 Kids in the field of digital marketing. She loves reading books, spending time with her family, and making delicious food for her husband.