How An Attorney Can Help You Buy, Sell, and Keep Your Home 

Buying or selling a home, particularly your first home, can be a daunting and complicated process. The most important aspect of the sale is the contract, and it can be difficult to navigate this often confusing legal document on your own. An experienced real estate attorney is familiar with how a contract is drafted (and by whom), and how to change it if it contains unfavorable provisions for his or her client. Most contracts for sale also contain escape clauses that allow a buyer or a seller to withdraw from the deal when certain circumstances arise, which may not be apparent or fully understood by the average buyer or seller. Many people also do not know that New Jersey has a "3-day attorney review period" during which a buyer may rescind a signed contract of sale if its not approved by his or her attorney. It is during this review period that a lawyer may detect problems with the deal that were not apparent to the buyer.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, it is also important to have a lawyer with you during the closing, because the closing agent (typically the title company) and the mortgage company are not going to look out for your best interests. Once you have bought a home, an attorney can help you keep it if you have fallen behind on your mortgage or if you are facing foreclosure. Forbearance agreements, loan modifications, workouts and short sales are just some of the options a lawyer can help you negotiate with the lender. If you are buying or selling a home, or have mortgage trouble, please feel free to contact our office.