Amid all of the classes that high school and college students are required to take, very few courses offer any real training in understanding the legal contracts that are involved with renting an apartment or buying a home. And while it may seem like it is important to know how many bedrooms and bathrooms are included in an apartment and how new the roof is on a home, there are actually many more important details that both renters and buyers should be paying attention to. From understanding who has to take responsibility for water damage that might be caused by a problem unreported by the previous buyer to making sure that buyers understand the importance of a thorough home inspection before any agreements or contracts are signed.
Because these agreements and contracts can be complicated, though, it is not only young renters and buyers who can be confused. Even older adults who have signed a lease or a loan before can fall victim to confusing terms. As a result, it is often advisable to work with a real estate lawyer to make sure that you understand the contract that you are signing, no matter what age you are.
Could Legal Advice Help You Understand the Real Estate Contracts That You Are Asked to Sign?
Real estate disputes can be both complicated and costly, so it is often in your best interest to consult with a real estate lawyer to make sure that you understand your rights and responsibilities. Consider some of these difficult situations that often require the benefit of a legal advisor:
- A judge will hear and decide the case within an average of 20 days after the tenant or the landlord files a request to set the case for trial if an eviction escalates to a court setting.
- Although it can vary from state to state, it takes an average of 40 days to close on a house in the state of California.
- In the year 2013, one in every 96 homes reported at least one foreclosure filing.
- Again, rules can vary from state to state, but in California law requires real estate agents to disclose information about any death that has occurred on a property within the three years before the sale.
- 77% of homebuyers have an inspection done before completing a home purchase, according to the National Association of Realtors.
- It is important to have you own inspection done and make any repairs over the winter months before you list the home to avoid nasty surprises once you are in the process of selling your home.
No one wants to be caught in the middle of a real estate dispute, but it may be an easier challenge to handle if you have a legal representative who can help you understand the complicated contracts and documents. Whether you need help with a specific boundary dispute or another kind of real estate dispute, it may often be to your advantage to consult a legal professional.
