Real estate purchases.
Buying a home? Save BIG with a real estate attorney.
As the Managing Broker of a boutique real estate company in Davis, Attorney-Broker Justin C. Lowenthal knows the value that a good real estate agent can bring to any deal. However, we, in many cases, hear our clients say, “but we don’t need a real estate agent.” The reasons vary but frankly, oftentimes they’re right. Our clients typically know that they need representation – they need to understand the process, obtain information, and make sure their rights and interests are protected with proper contracts and forms. What they don’t need is a salesperson or access to listings. Most importantly, they don’t want to pay a higher price for their home because of expensive real estate commissions. If this describes you, Lowenthal can help.
Our flat-fee real estate service model makes Lowenthal truly unique. When you hire our office, Justin offers you the essential services of an experienced real estate broker, plus the legal counsel of a savvy real estate lawyer – and you save money in the process! Buying a home with Lowenthal can be simple, and our fee structure is easy to comprehend. Here is how it works:
Step 1:
You locate the property and reach a general understanding with the seller with respect to some of the basic terms of sale.
Step 2:
We will introduce you to lenders we have experience working with, guide you with respect to obtaining loan pre-approval, preparing proof of funds for your down payment and closing costs, and draft your offer to purchase the property. The offer can alternatively be structured as a lease-option, if you prefer.
Step 3:
We will negotiate the final purchase agreement with the seller on your behalf and strive to help you reach a binding and enforceable agreement to purchase the property.
Step 4:
Once the purchase agreement is signed, we will open escrow for you at the local title company you and the seller agreed on.
Step 5:
Now that the property is in escrow, we will lead your due diligence efforts by conducting a visual inspection of the property and advising you with respect inspections, title review, permit investigations, bids, and more. We will also work with the seller to coordinate any appraisal and we will stay in constant communication with your lender to ensure that we have a timely loan commitment.
Step 6:
Once due diligence is complete, and before you remove your inspection contingency, we will help you prepare, deliver and negotiate a repair request, if necessary, which will consist of a request for the seller to make repairs to the property prior to your final verification of the condition of the property, a monetary credit from the seller in lieu of repairs, a purchase price reduction, or some combination of the three.
Step 7:
Once the repair request has been fully negotiated, we will help you remove all appropriate or applicable contingencies. Presumably, at this point, you will be clear to close escrow.
Step 8:
We will work with you and your lender to coordinate your signing of closing documents, coordinate your final verification of the condition of the property, and guide you through closing.
Using C.A.R. forms and other industry-standard real estate resources, some of which will be shared with the seller for your benefit, Lowenthal will handle all of the paperwork, assist you with your transaction. What makes us truly unique, however, is that unlike a typical real estate agent, Lowenthal will only represent YOU in the transaction! There will be no dual agency. Furthermore, we do not work on commission. We are paid a simple, transparent fixed-fee for our work, a portion of which is refundable if the transaction is cancelled. If the transaction is indeed cancelled, for any reason, we will facilitate the cancellation, make a demand for release of any earnest money deposit, if necessary, and prepare for you a demand for mediation in the event of a dispute over release of your deposit. Because we will not have dual agency, we are also available (for an additional fee) to represent you at mediation, if necessary.
To learn more about this service and our fees, please feel free to contact us.
Just need the forms?
Packaged form options for principal-to-principal real estate transactions.
Although we never recommend buying or selling a home without good representation, we don’t discourage it as an alternative to the traditional real estate sales and service model. For just a fraction of the cost of our full-service representation, clients are able to confer with a real estate attorney and have all of the recommended forms prepared for their residential real estate transaction in California.
Our packaged form service includes:
A one-hour initial consultation with your attorney so we may assess your needs, learn more about the transaction, answer questions, raise potential issues, and make recommendations.
Once you share with us the details of the transaction, we will prepare and deliver to you a completed form set designed to meet the needs of your unique transaction.
You may use additional time with your attorney at 25% off of our standard hourly rates to receive advice, ask questions, make changes to the forms, and obtain additional forms, if needed (deposit may be necessary.)
Using C.A.R. forms and other industry-standard real estate resources, Lowenthal APC will prepare all of the forms you will need for your transaction.
To learn more about this service and our fees, please feel free to contact us.