Real Estate Lawyer (San Jose: sale, house, neighborhood)

[mmedici1]

Hi, I'm planning on selling my house as a private sale without agents. I know I'll need a real estate attorney to do the paperwork. How could I find one?

[jw2]

In California, a lawyer is not necessarily needed for real estate transactions. Unless you have something out of the ordinary, I would just go with a title/escrow company to handle the transaction.

[DMenscha]

I was surprised to find out from my real estate attorney that the CA Bar Association doesn't provide standard real estate forms to it's members. You certainly could engage a real estate attorney to produce the proper documents for your transaction, or you might try to find a real estate company that would charge a nominal fee to help you with the documentation necessary. Ask a title company which direction they suggest you go. They won't give you legal advice or tell you if your documentation is sufficient (unless it isn't).

If you go the attorney route, make sure you find out how many private transactions they have done, it's not something most of them have much experience at.

[tinalam]

I have contacts with several real estate attorneys in San Jose area. They usually charge you by the hour to handle a transaction like this. Do remember that it's more than just writing up the transaction. You will need some help to handle the distribution of funds and recording. I'm with DMenscha here. It may be more cost effective to go to a real estate agent who is willing to handle your transactions using standard CAR forms and the title company can give you the standard template for the deed.

[Nell Plotts]

RedFin is probably the least expensive realtor.

[imcurious]

It's actually somewhat comical that people think they can just hire someone to "do the paperwork" - like it is just a form or two . . . besides the transaction, you have duties as a seller to the buyer . . . might want to at least talk to a real estate agent to make sure you know what your possible liability could be, winging it on your own.

[gone down south]

If you don't know enough about real estate to answer such a simple question, you don't know enough to properly navigate the transaction. The 3% you pay an agent is a good investment, IMO.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

RedFin is probably the least expensive realtor.

I doubt they do "handle the paperwork" transactions. Also, RedFin is probably a good place to go if you're a buyer, but not necessarily a seller.

[Nell Plotts]

If a seller is prepared to sell without a realtor I do not see why using RedFin should be a concern. Were I they I would attend a couple RedFin sessions to learn about the process and maybe talk to a couple low fee Realtors in my neighborhood as well. As always, get references.