Buying and Selling
Buying or selling a house is one of the biggest financial decisions a person will ever make. It can (and usually does, especially for first-time homebuyers) represent the dream of a lifetime. Unfortunately, it can also be a very stressful experience: You will probably be borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest in the single largest asset you may own over your lifetime. You will be presented with lengthy documents claiming to spell out critically important rights and responsibilities in connection with this transaction. Those documents, from the Offer and Purchase and Sale Agreement to the financing documents required by your lender, all bind you to critical legal obligations. It is suspected by several astute observers, that many of the people who are now caught in the current sub-prime mortgage crisis did not, for whatever reason, seek legal counsel on the documents they were signing as part of their mortgage. If they had, it is likely many of those borrowers would not have been caught in the foreclosure crisis they are presently caught in.
Whether you are a buyer or seller, you should not enter into this process without the advice and counsel of an attorney experienced in real estate transactions. No matter how 'ordinary' someone may tell you this process is, the truth is it is fraught with pitfalls for the unwary and unadvised. In weighing the cost of an attorney to guide you safely through this process, consider the following: If you are a typical seller and are using a real estate broker, and if your property ranges anywhere from the average sale price of $300,000 to $600,000 in Massachusetts, you will probably pay tens of thousands of dollars in commission (at the typical 5% of the sales price), just to have your broker list your property and find a buyer (at the typical 5% of the sales price). If you are a buyer, you will likely be committing a down payment of several thousands of dollars, also. Now, when you are faced with numerous legal documents spelling out your rights and liabilities - is no time to 'skimp' on the expense of an attorney.
Real estate transactions are a complicated process. They require the legal guidance of an experienced real estate attorney. Take our advice: Don't put yourself through this process alone. We have heard too many stories of people who thought this was a "run-of-the-mill" process, not requiring an attorney at their side - and ended up learning they were liable for all kinds of legal obligations they never anticipated. Don't be one of those unfortunate people. Contact us for a free consultation and we will explain exactly what we will do to safeguard your legal interests, and how much our fees are. We represent both buyers and sellers, and can attend real estate closings in the following Counties in eastern Massachusetts:
- Norfolk County
- Suffolk County
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Bristol County
- Barnstable County
- Dukes County
Contact us. We'll make sure this otherwise stressful experience is one you will always remember with good, not bad memories.
Client Reviews
★★★★★
"When I fell in that supermarket and knew I had broken my leg, one of the first things that went through my mind was, "How am I ever going to take on a company this size and receive any decent compensation for what's happened to me?" Because of you, I received a sizable settlement payment for my injury. I hope more people learn about the kind of legal talent you offer." Jeanine W.
★★★★★
"The act of placing my father in a nursing home was probably the most painful decision I've ever had to face. You took our case on, and you and your associates fought the owners of this business, tooth and nail. You never gave up. As a result, my father's estate was paid considerable money for his pain and suffering." Joan W.
★★★★★
"My whole life changed on a dark day in December 1989, when I was hit and pinned against a wall by a commercial delivery truck. I was almost DOA at the hospital Emergency Room. Because of my injuries, I cannot work full-time ever again. Because of you and your colleagues' work, I received a large settlement." Jim Y.
★★★★★
"My mother had suffered a heart attack in the fall, and the hospital doctors completely missed this in her vital signs and EKG. My mother died the next day, and she didn't have to. But because of your diligence and talent, her estate received a very large settlement payment, along with revised ER protocols to prevent such errors in the future. For my mother and future patients, we thank you for what you did for her." Dorothy W.
★★★★★
"When our son was hit by a car in a crosswalk, our one and only concern was his recovery and well-being. We had no idea what we were facing: A maze of obstacles put up in our path by the insurance company for the driver who hit our son - denying responsibility for the accident. If we hadn't had you by our side, we feel we would have been eaten alive by this insurance company's lawyers. You guided us from day one, and you never rested." Bob and Mary J.
★★★★★
"You know what impressed me most about you (aside from your legal talent)? I know that my injuries from my car accident weren't the worst that you had in front of you - my case was far from the biggest case in your office - but you represented me like my case was worth a million dollars. I can't thank you enough." Margaret G.
★★★★★
"There are two things that I will never forget about my car accident: The sound of screeching tires just before my car was hit by the other driver, and, much later, the sound of you telling me that the entire ordeal was over with, and that I was going to receive just compensation for my injuries. The rest, I want to forget - but I'll never forget you and what you did for me." Karen D.
★★★★★
"Choosing to hire William D Kickham was one of the best decisions I could have made in recent years. He was very prompt, to the point and delivered on his promises. He is a true professional and I couldn't be happier with his results. I will continue recommended his services to anyone in need of legal guidance." Rick