7 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer Before Hiring Them

If you just firmed up your purchase, sale, or refinance(Congrats!), you’ll likely need to choose a Real Estate lawyer to facilitate your closing. 

No matter which lawyer you choose, asking the right having the questions to ask a real estate lawyer before deciding who is going to handle your transaction can make, or break, the entire experience. 

Here are some questions to ask a real estate lawyer considering them to represent you when buying or selling a house or condo:

How long have you been practicing?

Before hiring a real estate lawyer, it can be crucial to find out how much experience they have in the industry handling residential real estate transactions.  

A good question to ask is how many transactions they have closed in the course of their practice.

Although, it is not always necessary to find a seasoned professional with decades of legal work on their resume, finding a fairly experienced lawyer is extremely valuable.  Like any specialists, Real Estate lawyers who exclusively practice in Real Estate are more likely to have a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help with your transaction in comparison to someone who may be practicing in other legal disciplines. 

How do you communicate with clients?

Buying, selling or refinancing your property is likely one of the most significant transactions you'll do. It is also the source of stress for most home buyers as self-doubt and anxiety kicks in. The way your lawyer and their staff communicate with you from the first interaction is likely to set the tone of what it is like working with them.

Most people want a lawyer who is available to answer questions, responds quickly, and takes the time to explain things so that you, as the client, feel at ease. While this doesn't have to be a question to ask a lawyer, consider how quickly the lawyer has responded to your initial question or inquiry and how they make you feel. If it feels wrong, move on.

What do your closing fees include?

Upon closing, the last thing you want is to be surprised at additional/unexpected closing costs. In addition to legal fees, there can be additional closing costs such as for title insurance, land transfer tax, disbursements and government fees. 

While sometimes circumstances may lead to additional charges, make sure you know what your lawyer will charge you for legal fees and what they expect to charge on top of legal fees.  

Things can get confusing as some lawyers may offer fixed fees which combine legal fees, disbursements and other charges into one overall bill, while some may advertise or quote their legal fees and will add additional fees and disbursements.  It is therefore important to ask and understand what an estimated final bill will look like, after legal fees, disbursements and government charges.

While buying a home has most people strapped for cash as expenses can rack up quickly, the lowest price lawyer isn’t always the best choice.   What may look initially as saving a few hundred bucks can easily turn into thousands in potential additional costs if parts of the transaction aren’t done right.  Make sure to hire a professional who you feel comfortable with.

Deeded offers transparent pricing so that you know exactly what is included in your legal fees and what to expect in terms of additional fees or disbursements.

What Should I expect In terms of process?

Buying or selling a home is a major transaction.  It is important to understand the closing process, especially when your lawyer’s office will be in contact, what information or documents they might need from you, and when you should expect to get updates on the progress of your transaction.

Since every lawyer works in a slightly different manner, it is important to clarify and understand your role in the process in order to ensure a smooth closing.

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Do you focus exclusively on real estate law?

A niche practice reduces the risk of mistakes and keeps your lawyer up‑to‑date on changing regulations. Real Estate transactions can be unique and present certain situations where an experienced Real Estate Lawyer is going to outshine someone who may moonlight as one.

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How do you protect your clients from fraud and identify theft?

As with any high-stakes transaction, fraud and identify theft are growing concerns for homebuyers and sellers. A lawyer or law firm without the necessary security protocols and awareness can become a victim of fraud, and expose your most sensitive data. At Deeded, we are the only company in our space that is SOC Type II certified, which means we have met the most rigerous standards for IT security and must re-certify for compliance every year. Protecting your information is our top priority.

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‍When and Where Will The Signing Take Place?

Signing typically refers to having a meeting with your lawyer to sign the requirement documents for your Real Estate transaction.  Signing typically takes place a few days prior to closing and may involve all registered owners (whether you’re buying or selling), attending the signing appointment.

Because life gets busy with work, travel and the occasional vacation, it is important to know when and where you're signing will take place.  If you won’t be in town or have other commitments that prevent you and other registered owners from attending a signing appointment (usually during business hours), your closing may be delayed.

Deeded offers virtual signing appointments as part of our service.  This you can sign your documents from anywhere at a convenient time (including evenings and weekends) so you don’t have to take time off work or travel to a lawyer’s office to attend your signing appointment.

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Bonus tip: Check your Real Estate Lawyer's Reviews

Check a lawyer’s Google reviews before you hire.Look for recent, detailed comments, not just star counts.You’ll spot patterns in communication speed, fee clarity, and problem‑solving skill.Compare what you see with firms that publish hundreds of five‑star reviews—Deeded, for instance, holds a perfect 5.0 rating from clients who praise its smooth virtual closings and quick answers.

In summary, choosing your Real Estate lawyer with care and asking the right questions up-front can prepare you for a smoother home closing, reducing surprises, and get you into your home faster.