Should I Get A Real Estate Attorney?

Q: I've always heard from talk show hosts to books about buying real estate, that you should hire an attorney, preferably one experienced in real estate, yet whenever I talk to people like my father-in-law and other friends they say "In California you don't need and attorney" or "It's a waste of money". Now I know I don't strictly *need* an attorney but should I get one, or is it really a waste of money in states such as California.

A: -|I've always heard from talk show hosts to books about buying real estate, that |you should hire an attorney, preferably one experienced in real estate, yet |whenever I talk to people like my father-in-law and other friends they say "In |California you don't need and attorney" or "It's a waste of money". Now I |know I don't strictly *need* an attorney but should I get one, or is it really |a waste of money in states such as California. A related question would be: if you choose to use a lawyer, how do you select a lawyer? Unless you are a lawyer, judging the competence of one doesn't sound all that easy (some may be obviously bad, but how do you tell otherwise?). -Most people buy property without an attorney and are perfectly happy. Several factors which you may wish to consider are: 1. Have you bought before or are you

a beginner? 2. Do you have a real estate agent who is trustworthy? 3. Is the property expensive, high end property, or is it your average house? 4. Is the property commercial or residentail? 5. is there any potential environmental problems with the property???? in general, people dont want to waste money, so, if you do hire an attorney, do it for a reason. Your average house sale could probably proceed to a close without one, but you never know when a problem could come up. Each buyer must weigh the risks and benefits in that particular transaction. To find a real estate attorney, look in the Martindale-Hubbel Directory which is avialable in any respectable library.