When it’s time to buy or sell your home, there are certain times when you would benefit from working with a real estate lawyer. Unexpected complications may come up along the way, so having an expert guiding you through the process will serve you well. Before choosing a professional, it’s important to consider what to ask when hiring a real estate attorney. To get you started on the right track, here are some questions to ask when hiring a real estate lawyer.
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How Long Have You Been Handling Real Estate Cases?
Before hiring a real estate law attorney, you must have confidence in their experience. Simple matters like getting help with a purchase agreement may be manageable with a less experienced attorney, but you will want someone with at least a decade of experience if you are dealing with a real estate development or a more complicated matter. When hiring a real estate lawyer, you should also find out if they graduated from an accredited law school. The more experienced the lawyer, the higher their costs, but there are companies that offer fixed closing costs to help you budget their services without compromising quality. Find out about their success with previous cases and ask questions that help you establish their experience level.
Have You Handled Similar Cases and If So, How Many?
Choosing a real estate lawyer that has experience in your particular case will be more effective than someone who doesn’t. They will be able to foresee potential problems and deal with them quickly before they get worse. A great way to find out the experience of your real estate lawyer is to ask for a referral from a friend or neighbour who has worked with the lawyer and has had a successful outcome or positive experience. You can also ask your potential real estate lawyer for a brief overview of what they can do on your behalf. An experienced real estate lawyer will provide you with a general outline of what actions are involved in the process.
Who Else Will Work on My Project?
During your consultation, find out if your real estate lawyer will be working alone or with an assistant. Some firms hand off the initial groundwork to a knowledgeable but unlicensed law clerk. Although they are often capable of handling many aspects of your case, you may be more comfortable consulting with an experience lawyer and knowing that they are handling everything from beginning to end. Meeting the individuals who will work on your case will also help you build rapport and get peace of mind that they are giving your case the proper attention.
What Are Your Fees?
To avoid any headaches later on, find out what your real estate lawyer charges up front. Ask for a quote and make sure all the items are listed. Some lawyers bill on an hourly basis, while others charge a flat fee. Paying per hour could cost anywhere from $150 to $450 per hour, plus a retainer to secure their services. These additional costs seem unnecessary for some homeowners, especially if they want more simple or basic services. One of the advantages of working with our team is that we include all the fees and disbursements in our quotes, and we ask for nothing upfront. You will simply pay a fixed closing cost of $999.
Have You Worked in this Location Before?
If you’re looking for the right real estate lawyer, chances are you want someone who knows the area you’re seeking or selling a home in. They should have an understanding of the market in your neighbouhood, city, and province to ensure you are getting appropriate rates.
Is Your License in Good Standing?
One of the most important aspects of finding the right real estate lawyer is to ensure that they are licensed to do business with you. Real estate law is a specific field, so your attorney should know the exact laws of the area you live in.
What Makes You Stand Out from Your Competitors?
One of the reasons why clients choose a specific real estate law firm is because of the extra benefits they provide. Find out what special offers or services your real estate lawyer can provide you that makes them stand out. For example, our lawyers ask for nothing up front. We don’t require any down payments or contracts up front. We simply look at your Agreement of Purchase and Sale and start working.
Why Choose Zinati Kay – Real Estate Lawyers?
When you hire a real estate attorney, there are certain criteria they must meet. You need someone who you feel comfortable with, who will help you get the job done, and who has extensive experience in the industry. Asking the right questions will ensure you find the best fit for your goals. If you are looking for a reliable, trustworthy, educated, and experienced real estate lawyer to help you buy or sell your home, Zinati Kay – Real Estate Lawyers can help.
We are a full-service residential real estate law firm, with over 50 years of closing experience, that provides fixed closing costs to our clients when they buy, sell, mortgage, or title transfer their property. We have closed over 21,000 real estate transactions and helped our clients navigate the often-confusing terms and conditions of their forms. We provide professional service and reasonable real estate lawyer fees and have thousands of satisfied clients to prove it.
When you choose us, you will benefit from services that include assistance with selling and buying property, mortgage refinancing, title insurance, assignments, condo/home review, and title searching. If you want a professional to help you make wise decisions about your home, contact us at 416-321-8766 for more information about our services.