If you have not hired a real estate attorney in the past, but you have used an attorney to help with another legal matter, such as drafting a will, ask that attorney if he or she does real estate law, as well. Many lawyers have a general law practice, meaning that they handle many different types of cases. Real estate law tends to be one area of the law that many general practice attorneys frequently handle.
Since you can ask your friends and family the reasons why they either recommend or do not recommend the attorney they used, these recommendations may be more reliable than those from other sources.
Keep in mind that online reviews may not tell the whole story. If an individual is angry about the outcome of his or her case, for instance, he or she may not totally explain the circumstances, but may simply blame the outcome on the attorney.
Be sure to ask important questions, such as how much the attorney’s fees will be and whether the attorney will personally be handling your case, or another lawyer in the law firm. If so, ask if you will have the chance to meet with him or her regarding your real estate transaction. Keep in mind that at your initial consultation, you will probably not receive specific legal advice about your real estate transaction, but will be given an idea of the steps that the attorney will take in order to handle your real estate transaction.
Pay attention to small things before you make your preference. How do attorneys treat you? Are they in hurry while talking to you? How long do they take to call you back? How approachable are they? Once you have hired an attorney, check the “retainer agreement” or “engagement letter” carefully to fully understand the terms and services the attorney will provide.
