Buying a house is likely one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make. While it's an exciting time, it can also be overwhelming trying to navigate the legalities. Working with a real estate attorney can help ensure your interests are protected during the home-buying process. According to the American Bar Association, in the U.S., there are more than 1.3 million lawyers. Here's why you should consider hiring one.

Get Insight on Important Documents

When you make an offer on a home, you have to sign various disclosures and contracts like the purchase agreement. These legal documents contain critical information on things like required repairs, closing costs, and contingencies. While reading the fine print might seem boring, you must understand what you're agreeing to. Rather than going at it alone, you can work with a real estate attorney to help explain these key documents in plain terms, so you know what you're getting into.

Avoid Costly Problems Down the Road

Even if a house seems perfect now, issues may come up that jeopardize the sale or cost you thousands in repairs. For example, inspection reports might reveal undisclosed problems, or you may uncover liens on the property that threaten your ownership rights. Instead of scrambling to address these issues at the last minute, you can work with a real estate attorney from the start to help uncover any red flags and negotiate better terms to protect your interests. Their expertise can help you avoid unwanted surprises.

Handle Legal Hurdles Smoothly

During the closing period, a myriad of legal requirements have to be met for the deal to go through. Title searches need to be clear, surveys have to be checked out, and mortgage documents need proper execution. If even small issues crop up with the legal requirements, it can delay closing by weeks or even cause the entire deal to fall through if not handled properly. Rather than leaving it to the real estate agents, you can hire a real estate attorney who specializes in closings to proactively handle these hurdles. Their legal background can help the process go more smoothly.

While working with a real estate attorney does require an additional upfront cost, it's a smart investment to protect your legal rights and the huge financial commitment that comes with buying a home. If you're looking to purchase a home, reach out to the Law Office of Matthew J Lester, PLLC today for a consultation.