601-582-7368	601-408-5979	Maggie McMichael
	Buying Your Home *, Real Estate Tips from the FHA

Before you sign an agreement of sale, you might consider asking an attorney to look it over and
tell you if it protects your interests. If you have already signed your agreement of sale, you might
still consider having an attorney review it. An attorney can also help you prepare for the
settlement. In some areas attorneys act as settlement/closing agents or as escrow agents to
handle the settlement. An attorney who does this will not solely represent your interests,
since, as settlement/closing agent, he or she may also be representing the seller, the lender
and others as well.

If choosing an attorney, you should shop around and ask what services will be performed for
what fee. Find out whether the attorney is experienced in representing home buyers. You may
wish to ask the attorney questions such as:

What is the charge for negotiating the agreement of sale, reviewing documents and giving advice
concerning those documents, for being present at the settlement, or for reviewing instructions to
the escrow agent or company?

Will the attorney represent anyone other than you in the transaction?

Will the attorney be paid by anyone other than you in the transaction?

Please note, in many areas of the country attorneys are not normally involved in the home
sale. For example, escrow agents or escrow companies in western states handle the
paperwork to transfer title without any attorney involvement.
 

*Reprinted March 2001,with the permission of United States Federal Housing Administration
   Disclaimers and more tips available at  http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

2001-2005 www.maggiemc.com