Real Estate
Protecting your home and your investment.
Rakesh reviews contracts, guides you through title and closing, and helps make sure your investment is protected, for you and for your family.
Your own attorney, from contract to closing
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make. In New York, buyers and sellers commonly have their own attorneys, who prepare or review the contract of sale and handle the transaction through to closing.
Having Rakesh on your side means someone is looking out for your interests, reviewing the terms before you are committed, checking title, working with lenders and negotiating with the other party, and explaining every document before you sign.
How we can help
Residential purchases
Representing buyers of houses, condominiums and co-ops: contract review, due diligence, the mortgage process and closing.
Residential sales
Representing sellers: preparing the contract of sale, working with the buyer’s attorney, clearing title issues and closing.
Contract review & negotiation
Reviewing the terms, deadlines, contingencies and down payment before you sign.
Title & deed review
Reviewing the title report and survey, and working to resolve issues such as liens, open permits or errors in earlier deeds.
Deed transfers
Transferring property, changing ownership, or placing property into a trust as part of your estate plan.
Refinancing
Reviewing your loan documents and representing you at a refinance closing.
How a purchase works
Accepted offer
Once your offer is accepted, contact us before you sign anything. The seller’s attorney usually sends a draft contract.
Contract review & signing
We review and negotiate the contract, then the contract is signed and the down payment is held in escrow.
Due diligence & financing
Title search, survey and any building or board requirements are reviewed while your lender works toward a mortgage commitment.
Clear to close
We work through any title issues, review the closing figures and coordinate a closing date.
Closing
We attend the closing and make sure all issues are resolved so that the transaction is completed and your goal is achieved, whether you are a buyer or a seller.
Your home and your estate plan. If you are buying, transferring or inheriting property, it is worth reviewing your will or trust at the same time. See Wills & Trusts.
Frequently asked questions
When should I contact an attorney when buying a home?
As early as possible, ideally as soon as your offer is accepted and before you sign anything. In New York the contract is usually prepared by the seller’s attorney and reviewed by the buyer’s attorney before signing.
What is a title search, and why does it matter?
A title search checks public records for the property’s ownership history and anything that affects it, such as mortgages, liens or judgments. Title insurance protects against certain covered problems. We review the title report and work to resolve issues before closing.
What happens at the closing?
The parties, their attorneys and usually representatives of the lender and the title company complete the transaction. Documents are signed and funds are exchanged. We make sure all issues are resolved so that the transaction is completed.
Can I add a family member to my deed?
It is possible, but adding someone to a deed can have tax, benefits and creditor consequences, and can be difficult to undo. Get advice first: sometimes a will, a trust or another arrangement achieves your goal more safely.
What closing costs should I expect?
Costs vary by transaction and can include transfer taxes, title insurance, recording fees, lender charges and attorney fees. We will help you understand the expected costs for your purchase or sale.
Do I need my own attorney to refinance?
Your lender has its own attorney, who represents the lender, not you. Your own attorney can review the loan documents and explain your obligations before you sign.