Westchester Real Estate Lawyer
Westchester Real Estate Attorneys
Buying a Home In Westchester
Selling a Home In Westchester
Houses and Property in Westchester County
Westchester is a unique market. The median value of owner-occupied homes here is over half a million dollars or about twice the national average. Housing costs for both owners and renters are also significantly above the national and state averages, and so is household income. Westchester’s 45 municipalities are also much more spread out than properties inside the city. New York city real estate lawyers who are used to conducting business in the metro area may not understand the particular ins and outs of residential real estate in Westchester.
Unlike some areas of the city, there are many more opportunities to buy or sell single-family homes in Westchester county. These are unique investments and need to be handled by an experthand. While condos and co-ops relieve the homeowner of many maintenance responsibilities, theresponsibility is entirely on their shoulders in a house. This means that any defects or malfunctions in any area of the home represent a significant liability to your investment, especially if they are not properly cared for. Real estate agents do not have the full ability to protect their clients from damaged homes, whereas we at Avenue Law Firm can create contracts and clauses that protect you from liability for damage that wasn’t your fault.
Do I Need An Attorney For My Westchester Home?
Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is in your best interest to hire a good real estate attorney to represent your interests. As we mentioned, real estate agents are limited as to what they can do, and they often cannot protect you from harm if part of the sale goes south. Furthermore, there areserious and binding contracts involved in the buying and selling of property, and it can be tiring and confusing to decipher it alone.
Retaining legal counsel before you enter any real estate deal is a wise move. A qualified real estate attorney can be an invaluable asset for dealing with a variety of situations in the Westchester market:
- Selling
- Buying
- Leasing
- Document preparation
- Contracts
- Building codes
- Property disputes
- Litigation
An attorney for your Westchester real estate is crucial, considering the market’s current volatility. However, even in a stable market, understanding the delicate balance of real estate in this area means having an established real estate attorney for any transaction.
Westchester Real Estate Litigation
Westchester has a history of complex real estate disputes ending up in court. In 2009, Westchester County settled a case with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, which required the county to build 750 affordable housing units. Additionally, the county government maintains a Department of Planning, which has separate branches involved in everything from land use to housing and environmental planning. When you need to take a real estate matter to court in Westchester, there can be a lot of unexpected layers and details that can only be successfully navigated by an experienced, local legal team such as Avenue Law Firm.
How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost in Westchester?
Because it’s so close to New York City, there is a lot of overlap between the lawyers operating in the Westchester and NYC areas. For this reason, the rates for real estate lawyers in the Westchester area are comparable to those of city lawyers.
For a typical real estate transaction in the greater New York City area, a lawyer’s closing costs can be anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. Complex deals, or situations involving a lot of time spent in court, can cost significantly more. Don’t cut corners on quality representation. Budgeting for good legal counsel is an essential factor in your overall real estate investment.
We at Avenue Law Firm have been serving the Westchester community for many years. With extensive experience in the New York real estate market, we can provide you with a level of expertise that other firms just can’t match. We operate digitally, which conserves your valuable time and allows you real-time access to your documents and legal representation. We are also at the forefront of technology when it comes to assessing real estate and understanding your options. We take pride in our work and our community and can help you navigate your Westchester real estate experience from cradle to grave. To schedule a consultation or learn more, contact us online today.