A general question that is often asked is, "Who does my closing attorney represent in the transaction?"  This is generally the first thing an attorney should consider when handling a real estate transaction.  The attorney should ask who he or she represents and determine if there is any potential conflict of interest. 

If there is a conflict, an attorney must disclose to all members the potential conflict.  Often times though, in such a basic real estate transfer process, a real estate attorney can represent both parties in the transaction if he or she reasonably believes his or her representation will not adversely affect the relationship with the client.  Many states will also require a written notice to the parties of the conflict.

Though a practice concentrated on real estate closings can be a very lucrative practice, many real estate attorneys conduct much more work than just the actual closings.  In fact, any question one has about real estate property, an issue with a landlord or tenant, an environmental matter that has arisen on one’s property, etc., one should contact an experienced real estate attorney in his or her state.  People also often use their real estate attorney for negotiating certain terms into a contract or for attempting to avoid a home foreclosure.

When one of these matters arises, one may benefit greatly by contacting a local real estate attorney.  Even though certain federal laws apply to real estate matters, state laws also apply, and they differ in most states.  If nothing else, contacting a real estate attorney to conduct your work should generally relieve you of the liability.  As with other areas of the law, one must usually bring a lawsuit within the time allowed by a state’s statute of limitations for the particular claim.  By failing to do so, one may be precluded from bringing the claim in the future.