A real estate attorney or closing agent performs several critical tasks:

: Examining the purchase agreement for unfair clauses or missing disclosures.

: This ensures the seller has the legal right to sell and protects you against future ownership claims. A title search typically costs $75 to $300 , while the insurance premium can range from 0.1% to 2% of the home's price.

Attorney requirements depend on your location. For example, Connecticut , Florida , and New York are among the 21 states where an attorney must oversee the closing process. In other states, hiring a private attorney is optional but can be helpful for navigating complex legal language.