A real estate attorney reads the purchase contract, the title commitment, the survey and the closing documents with one question in mind: what could cost you money or delay the deal? Most problems are fixable when they are caught before closing day.
When does an attorney step in, and what happens next?
- 01
Contract review
Ideally before you sign, or right after. Deadlines start running immediately.
- 02
Inspection and financing
We track contingency dates so you keep your exit options.
- 03
Title and survey
We read every exception and ask for removals where they matter.
- 04
Closing documents
We compare the final numbers with what you agreed.
What in the purchase agreement deserves a second look?
The contract sets deadlines for inspections, financing and the appraisal, and says what happens if one is missed. It decides who keeps the earnest money if the deal falls apart and who pays which closing costs. A missed date can quietly turn a refundable deposit into a lost one.
We confirm
- Inspection and financing deadlines
- Earnest money terms and refund conditions
- Which appliances and fixtures transfer
- Who pays for which closing costs
Red flags we see
- Contingencies waived to win a bid
- Vague repair promises with no dollar amount
- A closing date the lender cannot meet
- As-is language you did not expect
What can a title commitment hide?
| Item | What it can mean | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Old mortgage not released | A lien still shows on the record | Payoff letter and recorded release |
| Easement | Someone else may use part of the land | Read it; decide if it matters |
| Boundary conflict | A fence or shed over the line | Survey, agreement or adjustment |
| Missing signature on an old deed | Ownership is clouded | Corrective deed or affidavit |
Examples only. Every title is different.
What does attorney review cost?
Contract review
Read-through and a written list of issues before you sign
Buyer representation
Contract, title, survey and closing review through the keys
Title problem resolution
Quiet title or corrective documents when needed
Illustrative demo figures, confirmed in a written engagement letter.
Closing day should be a signing appointment, not a negotiation.
What should you send us first?
- The signed purchase agreement and any addenda
- Your lender's name and the loan estimate
- The inspection report once you have it
- Any HOA documents the seller provided
Questions readers ask
It is not required, but a lawyer can review documents and answer questions a lender or agent cannot.
Before you sign the purchase agreement if possible, or right after.
It can often be resolved with an agreement or an adjustment before closing.
Yes. Sellers need the same review of deadlines, disclosures and closing numbers.
Evan Whitford, Managing Partner. Evan founded the firm after a decade at a regional litigation practice. He advises owners on formation, contracts and ownership disputes, and he still answers his own email and phone calls each day.
Read Evan's profileThis article is general information about Ohio law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
