| Buying/ selling real estate in Massachusetts can get | | | | contracts in the sense the courts can force the |
| you into a tangle if you are not aware of the | | | | execution of the contract under a special remedy |
| formalities. This is where a lawyer should come in to | | | | called "specific performance." Another important |
| the picture to help you with all the legal aspects, | | | | concept is the "Equitable conversion," under specific |
| because each contract or deed you sign is legally | | | | performance that says the buyer becomes an |
| binding. This means it has a lot of legal jargon | | | | equitable owner of the property even before the |
| attached that a lawyer can help you decipher. For | | | | delivery of the deed. The seller remains a holder of |
| instance, the Massachusetts law puts an obligation on | | | | the legal title as a security for the payment. |
| the seller to disclose certain information to the buyer. | | | | Sometimes, the buyer and seller can disagree on |
| Certain information can be withheld unless the buyer | | | | aspects like repairs, holdback of funds, appliances and |
| asks for it. The buyer, as well as the seller, should be | | | | built-ins, deposit amounts, and 'use and occupancy' |
| specifically aware of their rights and responsibilities | | | | agreements. A lawyer can handle all these problems. |
| before entering into an agreement. | | | | Another common real estate problem is "adverse |
| Massachusetts's real estate lawyers help clients in | | | | possession." It is the process of acquiring title to a |
| several aspects: preparation and review of the sale | | | | property by occupying it physically for a long time. |
| deeds, providing advice on financing and negotiation, | | | | Such cases are dealt with using special lawyers at the |
| dealing with any litigation, and much more. Everything | | | | Land Court. |
| from home inspection, to the purchase and sale | | | | Ideally, a good Massachusetts real estate lawyer will |
| agreement and the mortgage/financing aspects can | | | | offer you sound advice in order to prevent any |
| be discussed with a legal expert. The most important | | | | future problems. There are several legal firms in |
| thing the lawyer will do is ensuring that no other | | | | Massachusetts, where you can locate a good lawyer. |
| person has a claim to the property. This could be | | | | Most of them can be looked up on the Internet. |
| especially difficult with inheritances, especially where | | | | These companies o have websites where clients can |
| the person/persons concerned are no longer alive. | | | | contact lawyer or request information. |
| Real estate contracts are different from other | | | | |