When To Call A Lawyer During Real Estate Purchases

Ideally, you should involve a real estate lawyer in your property purchase plans from the start. However, people do not always do that, and you might find yourself in legal difficulty once the purchase process is underway. Consider calling a lawyer if that happens.

Below are some of the situations in which a real estate lawyer may help.

A Dispute Arises

Several disputes may arise before or even after closing. For example:

• You might find that an item that you expected in the house is no longer there
• You might discover damage that you hadn't spotted previously
• A neighbor might dispute the property's boundary

The solution for these disputes depends on several issues, including your signed contract. Consult a real estate lawyer to scrutinize everything, advise, and help you resolve the dispute.

The Seller Accuses You of Breaching the Contract

When buying a property, the purchase and sale agreement you sign with the seller details the transaction's terms. The agreement is a legally binding contract whose breach attracts costly consequences. Therefore, you should treat a breach of contract accusation from the seller seriously.

Consider a case where the seller claims you have delayed the deposit payment and wants to cancel the contract. The cancelation can be costly; for example, it might mean starting your home purchase process afresh. Consult a lawyer to help you salvage the deal.

You Want to Back Out of the Deal

People have different reasons for backing out of real estate deals. For example, you might want to back out of the deal if:

• Your finances dramatically change before closing
• You experience a major life change, for example, if your partner files for divorce  
• You find your dream home elsewhere at an affordable price
• You discover the seller lied on some of their claims

Do not simply cancel the contract. You need to know the contract terms and possible penalties for cancellation. Consult a lawyer to help you back out of the deal with minimal consequences.

You Want to Amend the Agreement

Lastly, you should also consider a lawyer if you want to close the deal but want to amend some of its terms. Say you want to move the closing date, address inspection issues, or correct title issues. Involve a lawyer in the process for the best results. You may also have to negotiate with the seller; a lawyer can help you.

The above are just a few examples of issues a real estate lawyer can help with during a home purchase. Save yourself the trouble by contacting a lawyer even before the complications arise.