A real estate lawyer costs $200 to $400 per hour on average. High-rated, in-demand lawyers may charge more. Your total cost depends on your location, the details of your case, and the lawyer's skills and experience. Some real estate lawyers charge a $500 to $2,000 fixed rate for certain services like standard home closings, but the most common fee structure is hourly due to the varying complexities of each case.

A real estate lawyer, or real estate attorney, is a professional licensed to practice real estate law in his or her state. This can include consulting, advising, and representing you in a real estate transaction, as well as drawing up and reviewing any related legal documentation. Real estate law involves anything to land ownership and real estate transactions, including:

• Property closings (buying or selling a home)
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Foreclosures
• Estate planning
• Property zoning
• Title or surveyor disputes

Every state has its own bar exam and licensing requirements due to the varying law requirements of each state.

Depending on where you live, you may need a real estate lawyer to buy a house. Some states require a real estate attorney to be present at property closings. Some mortgage lenders may require a real estate lawyer to draft and review all the necessary documents for purchasing or selling a home.

Even if your state or lender does not require a real estate lawyer, you may want to hire one for your own peace of mind to ensure the transaction goes smoothly and that you have an expert involved if there are any complications.

Buying or selling a home can be a complex process and always involves a lot of legal terminology. Follow these guidelines to help you choose a real estate lawyer with the experience and expertise to ensure your real estate transaction goes as smoothly as possible:

• Ask for referrals from trusted friends or family.
• Check out their reviews on Thervo and Google.
• Look for a lawyer who specializes in the specific area of real estate you need.
• Confirm their credentials and state licensing information.
• Confirm their office location is convenient for you.
• Ask about costs up front and confirm their fee structure and billing process.
• Have a conversation with them before hiring to make sure your personalities don't clash.
• Review all contract terms before signing anything.

Consider asking these questions to help you choose the best real estate lawyer near you:

• How long have you been a real estate attorney?
• Can I see your license, or can you provide your license number?
• Is your entire practice devoted to real estate cases?
• What states do you practice in?
• Have you worked on cases similar to mine?
• What potential issues do you see with my case?
• Do you have both general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance?
• What is your preferred method of communication?
• Will I have access to all my documents?
• What is your current availability?
• Do you travel or do I need to come to your office?
• What is your fee structure?
• What is your billing process?
• Can you give me an estimate?
• Who will be working on my case?