There are a few basic differences between real estate lawyers and real estate agents. One of these differences is that agents do not require a license. A real estate lawyer, on the other hand, does require a license. Thus, a real estate attorney needs to know a few things before choosing to become an agent, such as exactly what their responsibilities entail and how much schooling they must complete in order to fulfill this responsibility.
The first difference between an agent and a lawyer is that a real estate agent only requires a license to work in the state in which they work. While some states do not require a license, most all require a business permit from the state in which they wish to operate. Once obtained, a real estate agent can open a law office or begin selling real estate. Real estate agents, on the other hand, must first obtain a legal license from their state in which they wish to serve. Once obtained, a real estate broker or salesperson can then open a shop in any city or county in which they wish to conduct their business. This legal requirement for agents keeps them from having to hire help, thus saving them time.
Another difference between an agent and a lawyer is that a lawyer represents the buyer throughout the buying process. An agent does not do anything with regards to the buying process, at least until the buyer transfers title to the property. If an agent does have something to do with the buying process, it is generally after the buyer transfers title. After this transfer, an agent then represents the buyer throughout the legal process and can assist with anything that is unclear with regards to the law. While an agent can help with anything that is unclear regarding the law, they are not required to do anything beyond the minimum required by their state’s real estate laws.
Another difference between an agent and a lawyer is that an agent can offer legal advice to the buyer. An agent cannot provide legal advice to the buyer themselves. However, an agent can still offer legal advice to the buyer in order to sell the house themselves and can do so without ever taking the title of the property from the buyer themselves. The only thing that an agent cannot legally do is to refuse to sell a house for any reason whatsoever. If they refuse to sell the house, they may face criminal charges as a result.
Another important difference between a real estate attorney and a real estate broker is that an attorney can make sure that all of the co-ops, LLCs, and other complicated legal procedures are done correctly. A broker cannot make sure that everything is done by the state rules. In some cases, if a seller does not follow state rules, the agent can be prosecuted as a result. This is why it is so important to find an attorney who is highly skilled in their area of expertise, and has a high level of integrity.
It is also very important to make sure that the lawyer is licensed to practice law in the city or county where the buyer lives. Some states allow lawyers to practice without licensing in other states, but these practices are often illegal. If you are going to hire a real estate agent, you should make sure that they are fully licensed to practice law. Doing so can protect you against any possible legal problems that might arise in the future, and can prevent problems later on down the road.
