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Before you sign an agreement of sale,
you might consider asking an attorney to
look it over and tell you if it protects
your interests. If you have already
signed your agreement of sale, you might
still consider having an attorney review
it. An attorney can also help you
prepare for the settlement. In some
areas attorneys act as
settlement/closing agents or as escrow
agents to handle the settlement. An
attorney who does this will not solely
represent your interests, since, as
settlement/closing agent, he or she may
also be representing the seller, the
lender and others as well.
If choosing an attorney, you should shop
around and ask what services will be
performed for what fee. Find out whether
the attorney is experienced in
representing home buyers. You may wish
to ask the attorney questions such as:
What is the charge for negotiating the
agreement of sale, reviewing documents
and giving advice concerning those
documents, for being present at the
settlement, or for reviewing
instructions to the escrow agent or
company?
Will the attorney represent anyone other
than you in the transaction?
Will the attorney be paid by anyone
other than you in the transaction?
Please note, in many areas of the
country attorneys are not normally
involved in the home sale. For example,
escrow agents or escrow companies in
western states handle the paperwork to
transfer title without any attorney
involvement.
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Equal Housing Opportunity