While New Jersey law doesn’t force you to hire a real estate attorney, skipping this step is like crossing a busy highway blindfolded – technically possible, but why risk it?
Let’s break this down in plain English, with the legal bits you need to know:
Standard practices
Most NJ residents bring in an attorney for property deals. You get a three-day window after signing to have a lawyer look things over. They can rework the contract or tell you to walk away if something’s fishy.
Protection of interests
Your attorney digs into the property’s past. They’ll flag any hidden problems – like that lien from 1985 that nobody mentioned. They’ll also set you up with title insurance because sometimes skeletons do fall out of closets.
Closing procedures and requirements
In closing, you’ll face a mountain of paperwork that might as well be written in ancient Greek. Your attorney translates the legal jargon and makes sure you’re not accidentally signing away your firstborn. They handle the money stuff too, so you don’t get hit with surprise fees.
Dispute resolution and zoning compliance
When your neighbor swears their garage is actually on your property, or City Hall says you can’t build that dream deck – that’s when having an attorney pays off.
Special circumstances requiring counsel:
- Commercial deals (these are way more complicated than buying a house)
- When banks get difficult about lending
- DIY sales without real estate agents
- Property line arguments
- Multi-unit investments
Bottom line
Think of a real estate attorney as insurance for probably the biggest purchase of your life. They’re not legally required, but neither is looking both ways before crossing the street – it’s just smart.
