HOW TO CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

    There are two types of attorneys: those who close deals and those who break deals. The first, help you get what you want, the latter you should avoid like the plague. The role of a real estate attorney is to assist you in the process, help explain what to do at various points in the transaction, prepare you for decisions you'll need to make, act as your advocate, scrutinize legal paperwork involved in the transaction to make sure it's in your best interest, and accompany you to the closing.

Here are some tips on finding an attorney, and what you should expect:

1. Start by collecting some recommendations. Ask friends, family and co-workers, check with an attorney you trust in other matters, and speak with your real estate agent for referrals (ask about the lawyer's independence from the realtor).

2. You want an attorney who regularly handles residential real estate transactions, not attorneys who dabble in it. If you are purchasing a condo or a coop, make sure the attorney specifically handles condos and coops. The laws and procedures for condos and coops are not always the same as for other real estate transactions.

3. Search for a local attorney. An experienced local attorney will be familiar with local procedures, will likely to know others in the business and will be able to refer you to home inspectors, mortgage brokers, and other peripherals to the transaction. He or she is likely to have good relations with other attorneys in the area who might be representing the seller, making for a smoother and more amicable transaction overall.

4. Only hire an attorney that charges a flat rate. Avoid attorneys who bill by the hour. They might find frivolous ways to increase the workload, thus increasing the final charge.

5. On a typical condo or coop transaction in the Brooklyn area, expect to pay around $1500. If you are paying significantly more, you are overpaying. Do not haggle with the attorney over legal fees, since that is one sure way to get your file placed at the bottom of the pile.

6. Call a few attorneys, talk to them on the phone or schedule an initial consultation (better to meet in person). Ask if they charge for such meetings. Trust your instincts. If you're not comfortable with a lawyer, move on.