Many real estate law cases in the United States stem from the fact that real estate contracts are notoriously confusing to homebuyers. There are often loopholes and fine print that the average home buyer wouldn’t pay attention to, which can get them in trouble later on.

For example, the National Association of Realtors recommends that buyers and sellers both have their own inspections done of a home before purchasing, but only 77% actually take this step. Other real estate law terms are set in stone but people try to get around them anyway or simply never complete their side of a contract. A great example of this is in home purchases and evictions. When purchasing a home, it should take about four to 10 weeks to close, but you should have a closing date in writing. In addition, tenants living somewhere for more than a year are entitled to a 60 day eviction notice in states like California.

When you have been treated unfairly by a seller or Realtor, a real estate law firm can help. As experts in real estate law terms, they can help bring you justice. To find the best possible real estate lawyer, simply make sure they have the following three things:

Knowledge and Experience
The lawyer you choose should, to put it simply, know what they’re doing. This doesn’t just mean they’ve memorized the books either. They should know how to argue your case’s unique nuances to provide the best possible chance of winning. Law can be subjective to each case sometimes, so they should have the experience to take advantage of that.

References
Every great lawyer has a network of people willing to vouch for their great work. Look into the network of the person you plan to hire before actually hiring them, in order to get a good idea of who you’ll be working with.

Great Communication
Communication between lawyers and clients is key! You will want and need to know what is going on in your case as developments come up, so that you don’t get any nasty surprises! This requires the lawyer to be very open and honest with you during every step.

Finding a qualified lawyer isn’t always easy, but if you look for the right things, it shouldn’t be an impossible task.

Buying a home, and later owning your home, can be a stressful but exhilarating experience. On one hand, you finally have a space that is all your own, and you can do as you please with that space. No more landlord breathing down your neck about tack holes or neighbors banging on your walls — it can be a great experience. But that doesn’t mean that nothing can go wrong, and when they do go wrong the stakes are often much higher than they would be with your old apartment. However, you can help yourself out and get out of sticky situations by enlisting in the help of a real estate law firm.

Foreclosure
In 2013, one in 96 homes was foreclosed upon. This is one of the worst situations you can be in, but getting someone on your side who knows property law may be able to fight your case and find a solution for you.

Wrongful Sale
Property law cases can often be quite complex, but wrongful sales are often easy to sort out once you have a real estate law firm on your side. Most states, including California, require the real estate agent you’re working with to tell the buyer about any deaths on the property within the past three years. This and numerous other issues, such as serious structural issues, must be disclosed before a sale. You have the right to sue the real estate agent if they do not.

Insurance Issues

According to the National Association Of Realtors, about 77% of homebuyers actually have an inspection done before they purchase a home. You should have your own inspections done, whether you are buying or selling a home. This will help you avoid surprises during either process, and can help you avoid issues with insurance. If you do find yourself in a dispute with an insurance company over an issue though, a real estate lawyer may be able to help you win.