Buying a home may be the most important investment you make. When you buy, you will sign a binding contract obligating you to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although your real estate agent can help you find the right house at a price that makes sense, he or she cannot give legal advice.

Smart people know that paying a lawyer to review a contract before the deal closes is money well spent. If you consult with me you before signing the Purchase Contract or before escrow closes, I can help you understand your rights, protect them, and avoid costly mistakes by:

• Reviewing the Purchase Contract and Escrow Instructions to make sure your interests are protected. Questions that often arise include:

- Do you have enough time for your financing, inspection and appraisal contingencies?

- Can you cancel the sale if you want or need to? If you cancel the sale, is your deposit refundable?

- Should you agree to an arbitration or mediation clause?

- Should you let the seller remain in possession after close of escrow?

- Does the contract identify personal property that you believe is included in the deal?

• Advising whether you should take title in the form of community property, joint tenancy or tenancy in common.
• Reviewing the Preliminary Title Report and discussing Title Insurance issues with you.
• Advising you on important Homeowners’ Insurance Policy issues.

If a problem arises after you have signed a Purchase Contract, I can help you solve it. I have years of experience helping homebuyers protect themselves against unscrupulous sellers. Special laws and procedures govern real property disputes. If you find yourself in a dispute with the seller, contact me right away so that you don’t lose important rights.

If you haven’t selected a buyer’s agent, I can help you select the most qualified person in the area in which you are looking. I am also a licensed California Real Estate Broker. If you work with an agent that I refer you to, that agent will pay me a referral fee, which is often sufficient to cover the cost of the legal services I provide.