Whether you are buying a house for the first time or finalizing a complex commercial deal, you can make the transaction easy and straightforward with the help of an experienced real estate attorney. Real estate attorneys protect your interests by ensuring accuracy and completeness, compliance with regulations, and securing your ownership rights. At Albert Maimone & Associates, serving clients in Queens and throughout New York, you can look forward to personalized guidance, close attention to detail, and a dedicated team of professionals to ensure your real estate transaction proceeds confidently, without any complications.
Real estate attorneys are licensed professionals who help clients navigate legal issues related to real estate transactions from start to closing, including buying, selling, and transferring real estate. They represent their client’s interests, prevent costly mistakes and potential disputes, and assure every aspect of the transaction is carried out efficiently and in accordance with the law in Queens and across New York State.
Hiring a real estate attorney can provide valuable protection, especially in complex residential or commercial property deals. Their expertise can protect your investment and streamline the process.
Read on to discover more about real estate attorneys, how they can guide you through property transactions, and whether hiring one is necessary to handle legal issues that may arise during this time.
Who Is a Real Estate Attorney?
A real estate attorney is a legal professional who specializes in matters related to property, including buying, selling, leasing, and transferring real estate. They are qualified to provide legal advice, prepare and review documents, conduct title searches, represent clients during property purchases, sales, or refinancing, facilitate the transfer of funds, and resolve disputes that may arise during or after a transaction in Queens or elsewhere in New York.
They ensure the title is clear, the property is legally transferred from seller to buyer, and all aspects of the deal comply with New York State regulations applicable in Queens.
A real estate lawyer’s duties vary depending on whether it is the seller or the buyer hiring them, what your state laws require, and what is needed for your property purchase to proceed smoothly.
How Does a Real Estate Attorney Help You?
A real estate attorney plays a critical role in handling real property transactions. Real property is often used interchangeably with real estate, but it has a broader meaning and includes a piece of land, any buildings, structures, and fixtures, as well as the legal rights and interests attached to it.
Real estate attorneys help you in the following ways:
Buying and selling property
Purchasing or selling property is one of the most significant real estate transactions you undertake, especially in a competitive market like Queens.
A real estate lawyer makes the process legally sound by:
- Reviewing contracts, agreements, disclosures, and closing documents to protect your interests
- Conducting title research to verify there are no valid outstanding claims, liens, or disputes affecting that property and your ownership in the future
- Closing the deal, coordinating the signing of transaction documents, and ensuring proper transfer of ownership
- Offering negotiating support by ensuring fair terms and preventing hidden liabilities
Leasing and rental agreements
A real estate attorney can help landlords and tenants in Queens by:
- Drafting and reviewing leases and checking that they comply with local laws
- Resolving issues between the two parties related to rent, maintenance, and eviction proceedings
- Helping clients with zoning compliance and advising them on the legal use of the property
Property disputes and litigation
A real estate attorney can take care of property disputes and litigations for their clients by:
- Resolving boundary disputes, clarifying property lines, and negotiating settlements
- Confirming a clean title to the property and addressing conflicting claims or ownership
- Preparing for trial and defending the client in court if a dispute escalates
Real estate investments and development
With their legal expertise, real estate attorneys can help investors and developers in Queens and New York City by:
- Investigating properties for potential risks before purchasing them
- Ensuring land use and zoning compliance so that everything is within the local laws
- Negotiating and drafting agreements for partnerships in real estate projects
A real estate lawyer is your trusted partner for all things related to property. They simplify the process, safeguard your investment, and ensure you are legally protected at every stage.
Is It Necessary to Hire a Real Estate Attorney?
Whether you need to hire a real estate attorney depends on your situation and location. In some states of the United States, including Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia, hiring an attorney is mandatory by law to handle certain parts of the transaction in Queens.
In some states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, and South Dakota, state law requires that an attorney provide a title opinion. This means a lawyer has reviewed the title abstract or examination and has not identified any obstacles to the real estate transaction.
Getting a real estate attorney can help in cases that involve:
- Complex transactions such as commercial properties
- Trickier purchases, like a short sale or a neighboring structure crossing over the property line
- Title or ownership issues
- Zoning, land use, or environmental regulations
- Potential disputes or legal risks
A real estate attorney can protect you from costly mistakes and make the transaction process smoother, whether you are buying, selling, or leasing property in Queens. They oversee the transfer of funds, handle the documentation involved in transferring funds between the buyer, seller, and lender, address any legal issues that may arise during the process, and ensure every step is completed correctly and efficiently.
Even when they are not legally required, a real estate attorney can protect your interests by making sure that every part of the transaction is handled properly and in your favor.
How Much Does a Real Estate Attorney Cost?
The cost of hiring a real estate attorney can vary depending on the services you need, the type and complexity of the transaction, the attorney’s experience, and how they choose to bill you.
The attorney may charge a flat fee that covers a specific set of services, like examining the title abstract and providing a title opinion, or they may bill an hourly rate. However, additional expenses, known as disbursements, like title searches, registration fees, title insurance, and courier charges, can add several hundred dollars to the total cost. Also, complex transactions involving commercial or rental properties in Queens, multiple parties, or situations requiring additional legal work, can increase the attorney’s fee.
Before hiring them, ask an attorney for an estimate that outlines both legal fees and disbursements so you know exactly what services are covered. It helps prevent surprises and ensures you get the best legal support.
How to Find the Right Real Estate Attorney?
Finding the right real estate attorney is essential as they will guide you through legal complexities, protect your interests, and prevent you from falling into a legal pitfall. Their knowledge of the Queens real estate market, combined with their expertise, helps them navigate contracts, negotiations, and finalize your property transaction efficiently, giving you peace of mind every step of the way.
Start with recommendations from family, friends, and your real estate agent. Referrals from people you trust can point you in the direction of attorneys who have served them well in the past. Review and compare a few real estate lawyers to find the right one for your real estate needs.
Check the attorney’s credentials with your state’s bar association to confirm they have a good standing. State bar association websites can help you find a good attorney near you in Queens.
Also, consider whether their expertise aligns with your needs. If you are looking to buy or sell property, hire a commercial real estate lawyer. Focus on the attorney’s experience, cost, availability, and fee structure to make the decision.
Investing in a real estate attorney not only safeguards your interests but also makes the process of property transfer smooth and stress-free. Call Albert Maimone & Associates in Queens today to protect your investment and experience a seamless path to property ownership. Albert and Peter Maimone have a deep understanding of real estate laws and what their clients seek at this time. They use their knowledge and skills to guide clients every stage of the deal, delivering secure and successful outcomes.