How I Can Help Buyers Whether you have a broker or salesperson (Realtor) involved, once you have found a home to purchase, as a buyer, it is essential that you have an experienced real estate attorney to assist and guide you through the process of a real estate transaction. When buying a property you are embarking on a detail oriented transaction. It is likely the largest financial occurrence of your life. The legal documents you will see can be intimidating and truly demand sound legal guidance. Reliable legal advice may be the most wisely spent money of the entire transaction.  My services depend on how you retain me. Generally, when I represent the buyer, I draft or review the most important part of the transaction, the Agreement of Sale. This document contains, in detail, the terms and conditions of the deal. In Pennsylvania, the standard Agreement of Sale has over 30 paragraphs that all contain sub-parts. New Jersey and other states have similarly complex documents. The Agreement of Sale is a detailed document concerning your transaction with specific language, time-sensitive dates and contingencies that need to be accurately addressed.
It is essential for a buyer to have a real estate lawyer either draft the Agreement of Sale, or review what your real estate professional has prepared. Do not rely on the seller, or his or her representative, they are not in a position to act in your best interest. You need your own representation. I will negotiate the language with the seller or his or her representative until there is a satisfactory agreement. You will be confident that the Agreement of Sale you are signing is in your best interest. There are significant responsibilities specific to the buyer in a residential transaction. They include financing (mortgage), Title (title insurance) and the responsibility of timely inspections (if chosen). I can review your mortgage documents, assist you in retaining a title company, review the title report and review all inspection reports. In addition to preparing or reviewing the Agreement of Sale, I can explain the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement, a very important document that must be completed by the seller and given to the buyer, disclosing material defects in the property prior to settlement. I can also explain your Uniform Settlement Statement (the HUD-1), which is the document that lists the expenses of both buyer and seller for settlement. Finally, if you choose, I can represent you at settlement when you close on the property. I work with all brokers and salespersons. My goal is to take you through the process of a real estate transaction as a buyer and be your legal advocate, giving you sound representation and piece of mind. You will find my fees reasonable, and perhaps the best money you spend, as you make what is likely the largest financial commitment of your life; buying real estate. If you take away one piece of advice from my site it is this: CONTACT ME BEFORE YOU SIGN ANY DOCUMENTS! Your first telephone consultation is free. Thank you for visiting jafferealestatelaw.com. A Full-Service Residential Real Estate Law Office
Serving Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey Free Initial Telephone Consultation · Flexible Scheduling · Flat Rate Services Available
Howard Jaffe, Attorney at Law
An affiliated entity of Jaffe & Hough
Two Penn Center, Suite 1907
1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: (215) 564-5200
Fax: (215) 563-8729
E-mail
Map and Directions Across from City Hall · Above Suburban Station
Howard Jaffe, Attorney at Law, proudly handles residential real estate transactions for properties throughout Pennsylvania: including the Five County Area of Delaware County, Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County and Bucks County, the cities of Philadelphia, Allentown, Upper Darby, Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem, Lower Merion, Bensalem, Harrisburg, Media, Norristown, Westchester and Doylestown and the counties of southern New Jersey, including Camden County, Atlantic County and Burlington County. | 
