How much is a real estate attorney for closing?

Asked by: Florencio Witting  |  Last update: July 21, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (8 votes)

You may pay a real estate attorney an hourly fee ranging from $150 to $500 or more per hour. Or they may charge a flat fee, such as $750 or $1,500 for closing, or a lower fee for a specific task, such as reviewing a contract.

How much does it cost to close a real estate deal?

Buyers in California should expect to pay approximately 1-3% in closing costs on a purchase. Loan Origination Fee: Generally around 1% of the loan amount.

Should you have a lawyer at closing?

While some states require that there be an attorney present at closing, note that this attorney has a primary responsibility to the lender. If this is your first home purchase you may consider having your own legal representation.

What does a real estate attorney do for a buyer?

This can include drafting and finalizing purchase contracts, writing amendments to a standard contract utilized by your real estate agent, completing a title search or conducting the closing. Here are a few reasons you might need or want an attorney to be part of your home buying team.

How much does a real estate lawyer charge for closing in NY?

In New York, you must have an attorney involved in every transaction. You'll also need to pay attorney's fees at closing. These fees will vary depending on the lawyer you hire, but they typically range from $2500-$2000. This will be your most significant fee if you don't purchase an apartment for more than $1,000,000.

How Much Is A Real Estate Attorney For Closing? - CountyOffice.org

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How much are attorney fees for closing?

Attorney fee for closing

You may need to hire an attorney to review the terms negotiated in your purchase contract. An attorney, as opposed to a title company, may handle your closing, as well. These fees usually amount to $500–$1,000, but may be more depending on your situation.

Do you need a lawyer for a real estate closing in New York?

In fact, the State of New York requires the purchaser's and seller's attorney to be present at every real estate closing.

How do real estate lawyers get paid?

Fixed Fees vs.

This can provide peace of mind, as you know exactly what you'll be paying regardless of how long it takes. On the other hand, hourly rates charge you based on the amount of time the real estate attorney spends on your case.

Who hires the closing attorney?

Both buyers and sellers have the option to hire their own closing attorney to represent their interests. This attorney plays a crucial role in reviewing documents, negotiating terms, and helping ensure that the transaction proceeds smoothly.

Why is it important to hire an attorney?

As stated above, lawyers know the rules of the Court. If the other party has an attorney and you are trying to do this yourself, you may miss deadlines, make the wrong argument or miss an opportunity for a settlement in your favor. Judges do not grant exceptions in court because you do not know the law.

Who typically chooses the closing attorney?

In real estate transactions, the choice of a closing attorney can influence the timeline, security, and cost of closing. While practices vary by region, the decision often boils down to negotiation between the buyer and seller.

How much do attorneys make per closing?

Negotiating Attorney Fees

According to Thumbtack, hourly rates can range from $400 to $600, while flat fees for closing are typically between $500 and $1,500. Always get a clear understanding of what the fee covers to avoid surprises later.

Is it worth it to sell a house for cash?

You shouldn't take an all-cash offer if the offer is significantly below market value and you are not in dire need of cash ASAP. A traditional sale with a real estate agent might take a bit longer, but it will likely earn you the most competitive price possible for your home.

What if the seller won't pay closing costs?

Buyers can ask for seller concessions, negotiating for the seller to cover some of their costs. They can also see if they qualify for any local, state or federal assistance programs that can help cover both down payments and closing costs.

How long does it take to close a property deal?

Technically, if you get an accepted deal on day one, the first closing should take at least 50 days, which is the average time it takes to go from contract to close. If you have a listing, you can go ahead and tack on another four weeks (the national average time on the market before a listing goes under contract).

What is the most seller can pay in closing costs?

How much can the seller pay toward my closing costs?
  • Less than 10% down: The seller can pay up to 3% of the purchase price.
  • 10% down: The seller can pay up to 6% of the purchase price.
  • 25% or more down: The seller can pay up to 9% of the purchase price.

How much does a closing lawyer cost?

How much is a real estate attorney for closing? Real estate attorney fees for closing can be $750–$1,250, depending on where the home is located. More complex situations or attorney in-house closings (no title company) are usually more, around $1,500–$3,000.

Do I need a real estate attorney at closing?

California: Real estate attorneys are not essential for closing but may be advised by your real estate agent.

How to choose a real estate attorney?

Make sure they're licensed to practice in the state. Determine if each lawyer on your list has any other qualifications that set them apart from other real estate attorneys in the area. For example, they might have a membership with a local or national law association.

Are real estate attorneys expensive?

Attorney fees on a simple residential transaction may be $500 to $1,000. But real estate litigation can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000. Quiet title actions and partition actions may cost $1,500 to $5,000, while hourly rates can range from $150 to $500 per hour depending on location. $150 – $500 / hr.

What is a reasonable attorney fee?

COURT AWARDED ATTORNEY'S FEES - WHAT IS 'REASONABLE'?

THE DISCRETION OF THE COURTS IN DETERMINING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF A FEE AWARD IS FOUND NOT TO BE UNLIMITED IN EITHER CONTEXT. IN BOTH CONTEXTS, A REASONABLE FEE IS ONE THAT AWARDS THE ATTORNEY THE MARKET VALUE OF THE TIME AND EFFORT JUSTIFIABLY EXPENDED.

Can you get a retainer fee back if nothing was done?

Any unearned retainer fees that are not used can be returned to the client. Earned retainer fees are the portion of the retainer that the lawyer is entitled to after work begins. Earned retainer fees may be granted to the lawyer bit by bit, depending on the number of hours worked.

How long after you buy a house can you sue the seller?

Depending on the laws of your state, you may have up to 3 years to seek legal action if the sellers KNOWINGLY hid or lied about issues in their disclosure. If a property is sold “as is” or purchased through an auction, then it is up to the buyer to do their due diligence and pay for any inspections that they choose.

How do you close an estate without a lawyer?

How to File Probate Without a Lawyer - A Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Petition the court. The probate process won't begin automatically. ...
  2. Notify heirs, beneficiaries, and other interested parties. ...
  3. Change the legal name of the assets. ...
  4. Pay creditors and tax payments first. ...
  5. Pay funds to heirs. ...
  6. Report back to the court and close the estate.

Do sellers have to go to closing?

If the Closing Is Done at an In-Person Meeting, Should the Seller Attend? Unlike the buyer, who might have to attend the closing to sign original loan documents delivered by the lender, you, as the seller, might not need to attend.