For first-time home buyers, the proposition of buying a home can feel daunting. Without any prior experience, first-time buyers are often left to wonder whether they are doing the right thing and enter into agreements that they do not understand. Due to the complexity of real estate transactions, even experienced home buyers and real estate investors find the process of purchasing real estate to be daunting. To help alleviate much of this concern, and to ensure that your interests are fully protected, retaining an experienced transactional real estate lawyer to represent you as the buyer in any real estate transaction can save you hours of headache and tens of thousands of dollars.
At PALUMBO LAW, our lawyers are experienced in real estate transactions, having helped hundreds of individuals, families and investors throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut buy real estate in an efficient and painless process. We are highly specialized in real estate law – we are not general practice lawyers dabbling in real estate. We give each real estate transaction the legal expertise and individual attention that it requires. Through our highly-skilled and hand-selected team of real estate legal professionals, we offer streamlined services for real estate buyers.
Our attorneys regularly receive industry recognition for outstanding legal practice and our clients agree. Our industry recognitions include Martindale Hubble Platinum Client Champion Award; Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating 5.0 out of 5.0; AVVO Review Rating of 5.0 out of 5.0; invitee for America’s Top 100 Attorneys – Lifetime Achievement Award; and Top Lawyers in Rhode Island. If you are considering buying real estate in Rhode Island, Massachusetts or Connecticut, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Do I need a transactional real estate lawyer when buying real estate?
Retaining a lawyer to represent you in purchasing real estate can avoid years of headache and costs – lawyers protect you throughout the buying process, including reviewing and negotiating documentation, ensuring that the property has no legal issues, and title searches, among other duties. In recognition of the demands and complexities of real estate transactions, some states require that a lawyer be involved in all real estate transactions. Massachusetts is one of these states, with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 221 §46a requiring the involvement of a lawyer in all real estate transactions.
Comparatively, some states do not require a lawyer to be involved at all while others require lawyers to be involved in specific transactions or at certain stages of the transaction, such as being present at the closing. For example, although Connecticut does not require a lawyer to be involved in every real estate transaction, they do require lawyers to be involved in real estate transactions requiring title insurance due to the grave implications of an improper title search. Connecticut also requires that certain legal duties, such as drafting documents, be performed by a lawyer.
Similarly, certain duties in a real estate transaction must be performed by a lawyer in Rhode Island. The Supreme Court of Rhode Island ruled that title insurance companies can identify documents, indicate where to sign, and complete other minor duties in a real estate transaction. However, title examinations, drafting documents, and other important duties must be performed by a lawyer, as is the case in Connecticut. Based on these requirements and rules, a lawyer is likely to be required in any Connecticut or Rhode Island real estate transactions.
What real estate law services does PALUMBO LAW provide for buyers?
At PALUMBO LAW, our transactional real estate attorneys help buyers through every stage of the process: from initial due diligence on a property to assisting with the closing and ensuring that you are protected at every step. Our attorneys negotiate, draft and/or review:
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Closing disclosures
- Mortgage documents
- Refinancing documents
- Assignments of mortgage
- Power of attorney documents
- Deed transfers
- Loan agreements
- Construction loan documents
- Home equity lines of credit
- Rate modifications
- Title searches
- Title reports
- Title insurance
- Local government records
- Surveys and building plans
- Offering plans
- Legality of structures on property
- Compliance with planning and zoning regulations
- Legal opinions
Additionally, we offer escrow services, provide a location for the closing, and provide counsel throughout the entire residential real estate transaction and closing process. Real estate buyers’ attorneys provide much more than just a presence, they ensure that the entire transaction runs smoothly and on time – protecting your interests, and saving you time and money.
Real Estate Services for Buyers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut
At PALUMBO LAW, our team makes the difference. We understand the needs of our clients based on our personal experiences and use our real-world experience to produce real results. As a real estate investor, senior attorney Richard Palumbo has bought, sold and managed hundreds of properties. Attorney Palumbo understands what individuals, investors and businesses are experiencing and what they need from a real estate law firm. Similarly, senior paralegal Julie Aldrich is one of the most experienced real estate paralegals in Rhode Island. Julie brings nearly 25 years of experience to ensure that real estate transactions are painless and close on time. Additionally, our transactional real estate attorneys, such as Senior Attorney Glenn Robinson, offer multi-faceted real estate experience that is second to none. At PALUMBO LAW, we are more than one attorney – we are a team of real estate professionals protecting your interests, time and money. If you are seeking to buy real estate in Rhode Island, Massachusetts or Connecticut, please call our office today to set up a consultation or complete the contact form on our website. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can help.
