Buying a Home in Sarasota, FL? | Why Hire A Real Estate Lawyer?

Why Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?

As the temperatures approach perfection this Fall in Sarasota, Florida, as I do every year, I have noticed the streets becoming busier with cars displaying out of State license plates. Inevitably, some of these visitors will realize that they want to make this paradise in which we live their home too.  Who can blame them? Certainly not those of us who are fortunate enough to call Sarasota our home.

If you are buying a home in Sarasota, FL, or buying real estate in Sarasota, FL, as you know, you are considering making an important decision; perhaps one of the biggest decisions you will make in your lifetime. As such, it is important that you surround yourself with good advisors from the very beginning of the process. One of the most important advisors you should hire to assist you in the process of buying a home or purchasing real estate is a real estate lawyer. This is particularly true if you are from out of state and not familiar with Florida laws. 

During the process, you will work with a host of service providers, namely, lawyers, title companies, real estate agents, surveyors, insurance agents, termite inspectors, home inspectors, lenders and others. It is critically important that you recognize that the only one of the aforementioned service providers whose sole duty is to represent you and your best interests and to be your advocate is your lawyer. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that your real estate agent wants the burden of such an obligation. In fact, most realtors will strongly recommend that you hire a real property lawyer to represent you and to review the real estate sale and purchase contract before you sign it. It is very important that you understand that once you sign the purchase and sale contract, you are bound by its terms and provisions. Stated another way, you must comply with whatever the contract says, else, you may place yourself in jeopardy of defaulting under the contract and possibly be liable for damages. Furthermore, after you sign the contract, you may have lost many important rights without understanding that you have done so. You will also have lost a majority of your bargaining power.

If you are told that it is a standard contract and that you have nothing to worry about, do not accept this explanation. Yes, it is true that the FORM of contract may be standard, but EVERY real property transaction is unique and inherently comes with its own unique history, location, set of circumstances, surrounding properties and property owners, sellers, chain of former owners and potential concerns and issues. All of these things can be evaluated and discussed with you by an experienced and competent local real estate lawyer in Sarasota.   

Thus, when making one of the biggest financial and personal decisions of your life, please do yourself a favor and seek the advice of a local real estate lawyer in Sarasota, Florida, BEFORE you sign a contract to buy a home or to purchase real estate. Doing so should increase the chances that the process of purchasing your home in paradise is less stressful, more pleasant and enjoyable, and a cause for celebration as it should be!

Happy house hunting! Welcome to paradise!

Sincerely,
Michael D. Wyckoff, Esq.
941-955-5500
1700 S Osprey Ave
Sarasota, FL 34239
e-mail – mike@wyckofflawfirm.com

This communication is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. To the extent that anything contained herein may be construed or interpreted by the reader as legal advice, you should seek the advice of your own legal counsel before relying on any information contained herein.