real estate attorney experience (documentation, clause, sales, attorneys)

[CHSCL]

Did you have a positive or negative experience with your real estate attorney when you were buying/selling your home?

Was your attorney patient and thorough in explaining everything and getting your questions answered? or quite the opposite?

[Dressy]

The only negative side was that she lost our title, or "sent it to us" but we never received it. I am now scratching my head trying to figure out what to do now.

[MrRational]

I've only had good experiences using well regarded, experienced, LOCAL attorneys...
who concentrate or specialize in real estate sales.

[LynnKK]

Yes, if you use your brother in law who got your cousin divorced and lives in another county and doesn't do a "Lot" of real estate...your experience won't be so hot.

[Heartbreakkid]

I dont care if we dont get the warm and fuzzy feeling from our attorney - just as long as he is thorough and isnt an idiot .

I mean, is it reasonable to expect your attorney to go through your contract line by line and explain it to you in plain english? Alot of these things are standard.

[MovedfromFL]

I thought the only state where people used attorneys was NJ?

I'm looking at a 500 line offer to purchase my house now and thinking I would be an idiot to either list or sell without an attorney!

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by MovedfromFL

I thought the only state where people used attorneys was NJ?

I'm looking at a 500 line offer to purchase my house now and thinking I would be an idiot to either list or sell without an attorney!

Most of the eastern seaboard uses attorneys for either review or closings or both. Illinois also uses attorneys.

[chicagojlo]

Our attorney was worth every penny and I wouldn't dream of signing anything of such significance without one, no matter what the state, despite having a lot of legal experience myself.

She was sharp and to the point on everything, and while she didnt hold my hand, she didn't hold back on demanding anything from the sellers or their attorney. We did a Homepath purchase with their standard documentation and she still got all the unfavorable clauses stricken.

[Off Topic]

Remember two things: Technically, the closing attorney works for the lender and not the borrower. So just remember who they are supposed to make happy.

However, you have the right to select your closing attorney. You may have to be stubborn about it, but they will do it if you insist. He or she still works for the lender, but at least they will also be concerned about protecting you.

[chicagojlo]

It depends on the state, in IL the attorney represents the buyer, who engages them and pays them.