Buying a house is a big commitment that can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. For many people, homes are the most expensive purchases they’ll make in their lives. This is why making sure the sale goes through smoothly is so essential. Any delays can be costly. Working with a Minnesota real estate attorney can take much of the guesswork out of the process. But do you absolutely have to hire an attorney every time you buy a home in Minnesota? Let’s take a closer look.
You Don’t Have to Hire a Minnesota Real Estate Attorney
In some states, you’re required by law to hire a real estate attorney to represent your interests when buying or selling a home. This is true whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth. Under Minnesota law, you’re not required to hire a real estate attorney anytime you buy or sell a home, regardless of whether it’s your first time. That’s not to say that hiring an attorney isn’t a good idea. It can be, and for many buyers, it’s more beneficial than you might think.
The Benefits of Working With an Attorney
When you hire an experienced Minnesota real estate attorney, you’re getting access to someone who understands real estate law and can give you detailed advice every step of the way. But that’s not the only way that a real estate attorney can help you. Here are some of the benefits you may experience when you work with one during your upcoming home purchase:
- Expert-level review of the contract: Your attorney will be able to review the purchase agreement and the real estate contract to make sure all terms are legal and work in your best interest. If they identify anything of concern, they can bring it to your attention and draft a revised agreement that better meets your needs.
- Title review: The title company should conduct due diligence to make sure the title of the property is free and clear of any liens and incumbrances. But things can still fall through the cracks. Your attorney will be able to do a deep dive into the property’s title and may uncover issues the title company missed.
- Handle legal disputes: If any legal disputes come up during the sale, your attorney will be able to represent your interests. This can reduce the risk of delays and help you close on the home faster.
- Managing the closing process: The final closing process can still be derailed if the seller decides to back out or disagrees with any terms. When you have an attorney representing your interests, they’ll be able to manage the closing and reduce the risk of the sale falling through at the last minute.
Again, these are just a few of the benefits you’ll likely see when working with an attorney. Since every situation is unique, the benefits you experience may be far greater than this list implies.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Attorney
Different attorneys offer different levels of expertise. Hiring the right one for your situation can make all the difference. Here are a few questions to ask each attorney you’re considering working with:
- How much experience do you have helping buyers like me?
- How long have you been practicing in Minnesota?
- Will you be representing me or will a member of your team be my primary point of contact?
- How will you reach out to me if you need information or have updates?
These questions can help you get a better feel for how the attorney works and whether you’ll be comfortable with their processes and experience. Remember, you’ll want to choose someone you can trust to represent your interests as needed.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re thinking of buying a home, don’t try to navigate the process on your own. Let an experienced Minnesota real estate attorney help you throughout the purchase. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.