WHY CAN’T I BUY A HOUSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY? Welcome to New York Law!
• Draft or review the sales contract. • See if there are any liens on the property. • Answer questions, explain legal obligations, and address concerns. • Check for problems with condo or co-op organizations. • Review loan and title commitments. • Make sure that closing charges are accurate. • Attend the closing and handle any issues that might arise. • Handle the closing and title paperwork. • Follow up after the closing to verify that the closing company performed its tasks. This is why it is beneficial to work with a real estate attorney from the start, and if your lawyer discovers issues that lower the sales price or save money on closing, it could more than offset the cost of their services. Buying a house in New York is more complicated than in other states. A New York real estate attorney can guide you through this process and help you avoid expensive mistakes.
It may be standard practice for a real estate agent or broker to draft the sales contract in many states, but New York law requires the buyer or seller (or their attorney) to write the agreement. Further, in this state, it’s actually illegal for your real estate agent or broker to prepare the sales contract or provide any legal advice about the agreement. Yes, you can technically act as your own attorney and write the contract or sign the agreement the other party’s lawyer prepared, but that can be a costly mistake. Why? It’s simple: The other party’s attorney does not have your best interests in mind, and that can lead to substantial financial or legal ramifications for you. This is why many mortgage lenders actually require you to have an attorney before they’ll loan you a dime. And if that’s the case, doesn’t it make more sense to just have a lawyer on board from the beginning?
Do that, and you also get a host of other benefits. We do a lot for our clients, depending on the situation:
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BIRTHDAY CAKE BAKED OATMEAL FOR ONE MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
eventually made it into Taiwan. The refugee system there originally had him slotted for France, but there were one too many people, so he wound up headed for the United States instead — specifically, for Staten Island. There, a captain on the Staten Island police force fostered him and raised him into adulthood. He started his life again, and although he had succeeded in leaving Cambodia, he did not leave Staten Island, despite planning to do so several times. He entered his 20s around the same time I gave birth to my son. Many years later, my son met my husband-to-be and had an idea that we’d get along well together. He found a way to introduce us, and there was the strangest energy in the air when we met. I knew this man was special, even if I didn’t yet know all he’d overcome to be standing there in front of me. Soon, we were overcoming more challenges — but now we were doing it together. Paying down debt, planning for the future, and saving each and every paycheck isn’t easy. But we had a dream of owning our own house — a dream that took us from our 11th year together to our 15th to realize. That’s how we met John and Ken and how they came to ask me to write this very article. I am so excited for this coming year. Last Thanksgiving, my husband and I moved into our house; we spent the holidays painting and decorating, and adoring each other. I couldn’t be happier with the man I found, and I couldn’t be more in love.
Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month? If you tend to think of oatmeal as boring, this fun dessert-themed recipe just might change your mind. To go all out, top with a candle and a dollop of whipped cream.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tsp baking powder • Splash of vanilla extract • 1 tsp brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup • 2 tsp sprinkles
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • 1 browning banana, mashed • 1/2 cup milk • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and prepare a small oven-safe dish. 2. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the sprinkles. 3. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish. 4. Bake for 25 minutes or until the oatmeal is golden brown. 5. Let the oatmeal cool slightly, top with sprinkles, and dig in!
– Michele Cedino-Sun
Inspired by ItsTaylerMarie.org
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