Get Expert Real Estate Legal Advice From an Experienced Real Estate Attorney

property lawIf you’re thinking about purchasing or renting a new home or apartment but are wary of real estate laws, or you’re facing other issues regarding property law, you may want to get in touch with a real estate lawyer for assistance. Real estate lawyers can help with all aspects of property law, including handling contracts and transfers, reviewing the results of a home inspection, handling deeds, and arguing eviction or foreclosures on your behalf. Each state has different real estate laws that need to be taken into consideration and having an attorney on your side can often make all the difference. They can help you look over real estate contracts, a homeowners association lease agreement, and so much more before you sign on the dotted line.

What You Should Know About Your Property Rights in California

Before Buying the Home

  • Real estate agents are required by law to let potential homebuyers know about any deaths that have occurred on the property in the last three years before the sale.
  • You’ll need three kinds of contracts in writing, per the Statute of Frauds in California. These contracts are any leases spanning more than a year, commission agreements between the principals and the real estate licensees, and contracts for the sale. Retaining a real estate attorney to look over these documents is certainly advised.

In the Process of Selling the Home

  • Almost 80% of homebuyers will want to have an inspection done before officially completing the purchase, according to the National Association of Realtors. To make your life easier (and to avoid any terrible surprises that could impact or delay the sale of your home), you should conduct an inspection and do any necessary repairs before you put your home for sale. Having a property lawyer review the results can put you in a good position to negotiate the purchase.
  • Legally, you will need an Escrow agent to help with the sale, obtain a title company, and may be required to pay for the title company insurance. Having a lawyer well-versed in property law to oversee all of these proceedings is often very helpful to a homeowner during this time.

Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney

A real estate attorney will make sure that nothing falls through the cracks and that you’re getting the best terms possible. For example, once you’ve started a purchase contract, the length of time it takes for the sale will depend on this contract. It should have a specific closing date or number days before it closes. The average time is four to ten weeks, though this can vary, depending on what state you live in. A real estate attorney can offer advice on the best timeframe and make sure your contract protects you.

If, for some reason, the other party should back out of the sale, your attorney can help you pursue arbitration, mediation, or a lawsuit, depending on the terms and situation. Having a property lawyer already on hand eliminates the frantic scramble to find one, should an emergency situation arise.

A real estate attorney can also review deeds, help with closing, and disputes involving Escrow deposits or taxes. Furthermore, they can more generally assist the client with understanding the terms and concepts involved in real estate transactions. Having someone who “speaks the language” can make the process less intimidating for many clients and will help them understand precisely what is being discussed and agreed to.

If you find yourself needing real estate law services in Los Angeles, come look us up. Our attorneys speak several different languages in addition to English, including Spanish, Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese), Arabic, Lebanese, Armenian, Farsi, and Italian. We’re a small firm who can pay your case personal attention, regardless of whether it’s straightforward or a more intricate matter.

Here Are 3 Ways To Forestall the Foreclosure Process

foreclosureSadly, one out of every 200 homes will be foreclosed upon. That might seem like a tiny percentage, but in a nation this large, that means millions of homeowners have faced the prospect of losing their home in just the past few years. The foreclosure process, and any case involving property law, for that matter, can be extremely complicated and overwhelming. For assistance during these trying times, working with experienced real estate attorneys can be tremendously helpful.

There are, however, a few other ways to prevent your home from being foreclosed upon. In addition to contacting an attorney, here are two of the most important.

Don’t Ignore Any Bills or Mortgage Issues

The easiest way to fall into repossession or homeownership trouble is to pretend like there is nothing wrong. Even if you are struggling financially, there are more effective ways to handle your situation than just hiding from your bills and ignoring all those unopened envelopes at your home. Contact real estate attorneys and other professionals who can helpbefore things get too difficult to overcome.

Mortgage lenders will typically sympathize with you if you are genuine, inform them of why you have missed payments, and show a clear commitment to repay your debts. Remember that the bank doesn’t want to foreclose on your home, which will cost them money, too. If you are rude, on the other hand, and just ignore your payments, you won’t find the help you need and you’ll end up in serious financial trouble.

Stay With the Plan

Once you’ve consulted with your real estate law firm’s attorney, mortgage lender, and any other professional lending a hand, it’s time to sit down and figure out the best way to get out of this unfortunate real estate situation. Determine whether or not there are steps you can take to protect your home, as, sadly, sometimes there are no other options. In the worst case scenario, you’ll have to just let the foreclosure process run its course, but you can always come back from that, as well. If you find out there is something you can do, it’s absolutely essential that you stick to that plan, no matter what.

You might find that you can protect your home if you cut additional expenses like eating out, expensive vehicle repairs, and premium television and Internet services. Whatever you plan out and decide to do, you cannot give up prematurely. The goal is to protect your home, so it’s on you to do everything in your power to do so — decide on a plan and stick to it.

Although the foreclosure process is incredibly nerve-wracking, as long as you act responsible, know who to contact, and stick with your new financial plan, you should at least set yourself up for the highest chance of success.

Do You Really Need a Real Estate Lawyer? Here We Explain Why

real estate lawyerIf you are looking to buy a new home or a commercial property, then you should consider hiring a real estate lawyer that will help you throughout the process. Many homeowners don’t understand the true benefits of hiring a real estate attorney, so below we describe why these professionals are crucial to your home buying journey.

They will read everything
There is a lot of paperwork that comes when you buy a home. This can be a headache for anyone to deal with, but if you have a lawyer present you won’t have to comb through every headache-inducing document. Your lawyer will read through everything and raise any concerns if need be.

They can negotiate the lease agreement
Real estate contracts are full of legal jargon and can be quite complex. Luckily for you, a real estate lawyer can draft any amendments and proposals and will be able to argue any changes if you are concerned in any way. You won’t have to worry that you are blindly signing a contract, as the lawyer will be there every step of the way.

They will help your contingency plan become successful
If you are going to be buying and selling a home at the same time, you may find that you have bitten off more than you can chew. Not only can your lawyer negotiate a purchase and sale agreement, they can also simultaneously offer open houses to show off your home. As an extra perk, they will even represent you at the closing of your property so you don’t even have to show up.

They are the experts
Real estate lawyers know what to look out for during the home buying and selling process, including details that are often ignored by a homeowner. This includes looking out for zoning restrictions, adverse possession, and property disputes. They also may be able to close the sale faster. For example, in California, it takes an average of 40 days to close on a home, and this time can be sped up when working with a professional.

So what are you waiting for? Call a real estate attorney today to get started on buying the house of your dreams.

3 Important Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer Before They Take Your Case

real estate lawReal estate issues can be stressful for everyone involved. If you attempt to handle any property dispute without professional help, for example, you may quickly become overwhelmed. That’s why it’s essential to contact a real estate law firm and work with professional lawyers throughout the entire duration of your property issue.

Knowing what to ask your lawyer is just as important as contacting one, because you don’t want to end up working with someone who isn’t qualified in a certain area that you might need assistance in.

Ask your prospective lawyer how long they have been practicing law

Each situation is different, but certainly you’ll want to work with an experienced lawyer and not someone who has just begun practicing. It’s important to distinguish between real estate and other forms of law, as well. You might be working with an experienced defense lawyer, but this is their first attempt at a real estate issue. Asking this question beforehand will give you a better feel for how your case will go.

Ask if they have worked a case exactly like yours before

Once you determine they are in fact experienced in real estate law, then it’s time to find out if they have dealt with anything like your particular situation before. The rate of foreclosures, for example, can fluctuate depending on the market, as one out of every 96 homes filed for foreclosure in 2013, which is a very high percentage. If they have never dealt with foreclosure before, even though they have been practicing law for a while, you might want to consider another lawyer.

Ask if they will be the only ones working on your case

Certain law firms often hand off specifics regarding a case to other members of the firm. This can cause complications if the other professionals are not as experienced. If the paralegals and junior lawyers are just as experienced, however, you should have nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, it’s still important to ask and find out exactly how your case is going to be handled.

If you are in need of an experienced California real estate lawyer, contact DiJulio Law Group today.

Renting or Buying in L.A.? Keep These 3 Things in Mind

property law casesBuying property can be a stressful experience for anyone. No matter where you’re looking at real estate, if you aren’t careful and don’t plan out every detail, you could be setting yourself up for a stress-filled few months. And because property law cases can be extremely complicated, it’s important that you know exactly what to do in various real estate scenarios.

Importance of Inspections
Getting a home inspection or two done before you make any purchases is essential for getting the most out of your new home. Even if the property you’re buying is relatively brand new and looks amazing, there is almost always some sort of unknown trouble that you’ll eventually find. If you decline to get a proper inspection, the damage is still there. The only difference is that by the time you do notice it, the damage will be so severe that you’ll have to spend thousands of dollars on repairs. You’re much better off having an inspection done before you buy than waiting until it’s too late.

Real Estate Contracts
Because real estate and property law cases are so complicated, making sure your contract has every conceivable detail covered is one of the most important aspects of home buying or renting. Evictions, for example, often end up escalating to a courtroom, where a judge will hear and decide the case within, on average, 20 days after the court request was filed. If you’re contract didn’t include a clause outlining mediation for this type of issue, things can get even more complicated in court for everyone involved. Before buying property, make sure that you have a California real estate lawyer prepare or review the contract.

Working With a Real Estate Attorney
Unless you know all the ins and outs of real estate laws, you should probably seek professional help. Buying a home is one of the biggest and most important decisions of your life. Don’t let a complication screw up your future as a homeowner just because you weren’t aware of a certain property stipulation. Consult an experienced real estate attorney and get the property that you deserve.

If you need any assistance with California property law cases or need to learn more about Los Angeles real estate law, contact DiJulio Law Group today.

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