The vast majority of people don't put much thought into hiring an attorney until they have a reason to go to court, settle a ticket, or otherwise. However, there are many reasons to hire an attorney, including when you decide to buy a new home or piece of real estate. Today we'll discuss X things you should be looking for in a good North Carolina Closing Attorney.
If you enlist the support of a real estate agent when buying a home, you may feel as though you are adequately represented. And yes, having a real estate agent is an important part of finding a property you love and negotiating a purchase price, there are other components of the real estate process that are better handled by a real estate or closing attorney.
What does a Real Estate or Closing Attorney in North Carolina Do?
Real estate attorneys typically manage a variety of real estate transactions related to residential and commercial properties. While they certainly handle their fair share of buying and selling transactions, they also represent foreclosures, short sales, liens and leasing situations.
That said, if you are buying a home, your real estate attorney will oversee the closing process including preparing documentation and reviewing any paperwork you need to sign, before you sign it. They'll also help you with title insurance.
How do you Choose the Right Closing Attorney?
If you've already been working with a real estate agent, they may have suggestions for who you should use with regard to a closing attorney. However, you are by no means obligated to use your agent's attorney. In fact, we often encourage friends to do their due diligence, research and find an attorney on their own (as long as they don't just randomly choose one off the internet). We know that buying a home is a big deal, so you should find an attorney that is not only experienced and competent, but one that you can trust.
That said, here are 4 key things you should look for in a good closing attorney in North Carolina.
4 Things to Look for in a Closing Attorney in North Carolina
1. Is the Closing Attorney local to the area You're Buying In
It almost goes without saying that if you need a closing attorney in North Carolina that you should choose a real estate attorney who is licensed to practice in North Carolina. However, let's take that a step further. Hiring a closing attorney who is local to the city you're buying in will have a better understanding of the local law and any nuances specific to your city. As a result, the process will move along much faster.
2. Is the Closing Attorney in North Carolina Personable?
In addition to hiring someone who is experienced, qualified and knowledgeable, don't we all want to work with people that we like? While you don't have to be "friends" with your closing attorney, we do believe that it's important to hire someone that you feel like you can trust and that you're comfortable working with.
The real estate process can be confusing and overwhelming, and your closing attorney is there to answer any questions you may have along the way. As such, when searching for the right closing attorney in North Carolina, make sure you avoid anyone who demonstrates impatience, rudeness or does anything that makes you feel as though they won't have your best interests in mind.
3. Look for Effective Communications Skills when searching for a Closing Attorney
Not only should your closing attorney be knowledgeable and personable, but they should also be able to respond to your calls or emails in a timely manner.
While this does not mean that your closing attorney should respond immediately every time you have a question, you do expect that as you get closer to "closing," that they are responsive.
4. Does the Closing Attorney Have a Solid Reputation in the Community?
This goes back to our earlier point about doing your due diligence when you search for a good real estate or closing attorney. It is important that whoever you hire has a good reputation. Just as you wouldn't purchase a product from Amazon if it only had one star, you also wouldn't hire a closing attorney if you can't find anyone else to recommend them.
In your search for the right closing attorney in North Carolina, ask friends, family and your real estate agent for suggestions. Ask for the good and the bad. What was their experience and would they use that person again in the future? We also recommend that you read online reviews. Sure, they'll be a few outliers who had bad experiences from time to time, but the person you hire should have an overall good reputation.
