Real Estate Attorney
Q: I'm in need of suggestions for an attorney to assist in a real estate transaction. Any suggestions where to get help other than simply going through the phone book?
A: -Assuming you are not selling your own house, call a major realtor and see if they will give you a list of names...or your bank if it makes real estate loans. This will at least give you names of specialists. You don't want lawyers dealing in "rear end torts" trying to deal with the statute of frauds for the first time on your money clock. -If you are going to be your own general contractor you can't use the average "settlement" lawyer as you will have a lot of contract issues like mechanics lien implications, financing, defaultings, and....why not buy a house already built on spec.? :-) Again, a lawyer specializing in real estate is essential. I think the realtor who sold (sells) you the land will be able to recommend a list of 3-5 lawyers. Real property contracting is unlike other contract law due to the statute of frauds. Allegedly intended to protect the buyer, it is usually manipulated by builders to have exactly the reverse effect on uninformed buyers. My builder tried to spin me with it and thought he had me on the ropes until I pointed out I had revised the contract and all changes had been initialed by his agent. I won big because they had not anticipated it and I filed a suit for specific performance before I even reminded them of the changes. Their lawyer told them to do exactly what I said as my suit clouded the title on all the property they owned and they could no longer sell even already contracted homes ready for delivery...I had been careful in my research concerning how they had subdivided. At settlement