Miami Residential Real Estate Lawyer

When buying or selling a home,most people work with real estate agents. Yes, many rely on real estate agents to provide contract and legal advice and forego hiring a real estate lawyer, which is crucial. While agents can provide useful information, they are not experts in contract law, and cannot offer the same services as a real estate attorney.

It is crucial, when buying or selling a property, that you hire a real estate attorney and don’t go it alone. Hiring a lawyer ensures you have someone watching your back and protecting your hard-earned money. Aside from protecting your investment, there are many benefits to working with Miami residential real estate lawyer Jacqueline A. Salcines when buying or selling a home. She could advocate for your interests and protect your rights throughout the process, offering individualized attention during stressful and complicated transactions.

Why Work With an Attorney?

Unlike other states, Florida does not require representation by a legal professional for a real estate closing. That is why many buyers and sellers do not think to hire a real estate lawyer and rely on their realtor to provide them advice on contract law, and expert advice on financial statements and charges at closing. This is the role of the lawyer. Buyer and sellers who work with attorneys gain numerous advantages.

Buyers typically rely on their realtor to produce the purchase agreement or what is known as the “As Is” Residential Contract. While the realtor can easily put it together, when a Buyer asks for an explanation of what they are signing, the real estate agent is not a lawyer. That is when the real estate lawyer commences their role in reviewing, drafting and explaining the contract to the Buyer. When a Buyer works with a residential real estate attorney in Miami, the legal professional can draft the purchase agreement to suit their specific circumstances. When working with a buyer, the attorney can closely review the document before the buyer signs it and negotiate any changes necessary to protect the buyer’s position.

In her role as a real estate attorney, Jacqueline Salcines conducts what is called title examination, a thorough investigation of the title to ensure that everything is in order and that no lien or matter that could affect the title will pass to the buyer after closing. Resolving any clouds on the title early in the process saves the parties time and money. Attorney Salcines could prepare or review all the documents necessary for closing and will handle the closing personally, ensuring everything goes smoothly.

Addressing Issues Revealed by Inspections

When purchasing residential real estate, it is essential to have a licensed home inspector examine the home and property. Sellers also benefit from conducting a home inspection before putting the property on the market. Doing so may expose problems that must be repaired or disclosed to the buyer before the sale.

Our Miami attorney could advise a seller about their disclosure obligations when offering residential real estate for sale. When representing a buyer, a legal professional could review a seller’s disclosure and recommend whether amendments to the purchase price or purchase agreement may be necessary.

When a buyer’s inspector discovers a problem, the parties often negotiate repairs. Sometimes, the seller agrees to repair the issue, or they may offer a credit to the purchase price. In either case, an attorney could oversee the negotiations to resolve the issue in a way that is fair to all parties.

New Rules Make a Legal Professional the Cost-Effective Choice

The National Association of Realtors adopted new rules in 2024 as part of a lawsuit settlement. Sellers’ agents may no longer advertise that they share their commission with buyers’ agents. Buyers working with an agent to find a home must contract directly with the agent regarding the agent’s fee. Historically, each agent’s fees are between two to three percent of the property’s purchase price.

The expense of hiring a Miami residential property law attorney at Jacqueline A. Salcines, P.A. is likely to be far less than an agent’s commission. Buyers who choose to work with an attorney rather than an agent also receive the added protection that an attorney can provide.

Sellers’ agents typically use boilerplate contracts for purchase agreements. When a buyer works with an attorney rather than a real estate agent, the legal professional can make appropriate changes to the purchase agreement to reflect the inspection results and any other issues necessary to protect the buyer’s rights.

Consult a Residential Real Estate Attorney for Help With Miami Home Sales

Whether it is your full-time residence or a vacation home, residential property is a large investment that carries substantial risks. If you are buying or selling a home, don’t go it alone.

Working with a skilled and experienced Miami residential real estate lawyer could minimize legal liability, protect your rights, and ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Reach out to Jacqueline A. Salcines, P.A., today to discuss your real estate needs.