RILEY LAW OFFICES

REAL ESTATE LAW

ATTORNEY TIMOTHY S. RILEY

WISCONSIN REAL ESTATE LAWYER

COMPLEX & MOST EXPENSIVE PURCHASE EVER

The purchase of real property is most often the most complex and largest economic transaction that you will undertake. While there are standard forms that people mistakenly believe cover all issues and that seem straight forward, those forms are not all-encompassing and merely serve as the starting point.

LEGAL TECHNICALITIES

Real estate transactions involve numerous technicalities that can result in significant contractual issues and potential financial losses if not properly drafted to meet the client’s needs. All issues must be considered, when writing or reviewing an Offer To Purchase. Of primary importance are the various contingencies including, but not limited to, financing, inspection, proposed use, appraisal, sale of buyer’s property contingencies potential survey contingencies, review of deed restrictions and covenants. The language employed in drafting these contingencies must meet the needs of the client whether in drafting an offer, or, reviewing the Offer on behalf of the Seller and considering Counter-Offers. Rural properties require special attention to potential issues involving easements, Well and Water testing, Septic testing and survey issues.

AN OFFER TO BUY

The Offer affords the opportunity to insert additional provisions beyond the boiler plate form language both within the form and by way of adding addenda. My experience allows me to focus on the importance of certain contingencies and provisions to best protect my client’s interests while also ensuring a successful transaction.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

Attorney Timothy S. Riley has represented hundreds of clients in the purchase and sale of Real Estate including Residential’ vacant land, and Construction Contracts, the majority of which are FSBO (for sale by owner).

Attorney Riley was a guest lecturer and teacher for residential real estate at the University Of Wisconsin Law School (UW-Madison Law School).

NO COMMISSIONS! FLAT FEE!

Attorney Riley offers a flat fee to represent clients in purchases and sales that includes all services from the offer through closing. His current flat fee is $800 when attending the Closing, (Dane County Only) and $700 when preparing the client for closing in advance without attending the closing. All services can be rendered via email and telephonic consults his services are detailed in his flat fee retainer.

FSBO - FOR SALE BY OWNER

We offer representation to both sellers and buyers in for sale by owner transactions.

Whether or not a buyer's agent is involved in the offer process, an experienced real estate attorney can offer legal advice beyond the capabilities of a Realtor.

REAL ESTATE FORMS DON'T PROTECT YOU
While the standard contract form is "cookie cutter" in nature, each transaction is unique to the property and the circumstances of the buyer and seller. As such, the standard offer with the blanks filled in is not an offer that adequately addresses all concerns and not an offer that protects all the interests of the buyer. A small item on the condition report left unnoticed can turn into Pandora's box in short order after you've signed the real estate contract.

REAL ESTATE OFFERS & ACCEPTANCES

There are any number of issues to consider in writing an offer or in accepting or countering an offer received that will impact the ultimate success of the transaction and satisfaction of the client. Even simple contingencies such as the date of closing can become quite significant when a party is involved in purchasing another property while selling their current property. If multiple transactions are involved, a seller or buyer must coordinate the contracts and employ safeguard contingencies in the event one of the offers fails.

REAL ESTATE CONDITION REPORT

Wisconsin law requires that a seller of real estate who has occupied the premises to be sold provide the buyer with a standard Real Estate Condition Report. As to sellers, it is wise to err on the side of disclosure if you have a question as to whether a condition affecting the property constitutes a potential defect. Buyers should carefully review the disclosure and provide a copy of the disclosure to your inspector.

INSPECTION CONTINGENCIES

Attorney Riley strongly recommends that any purchaser engage the services of a certified home inspector as part of the transaction. The standard inspection contingency language does not address additional testing, (i.e., radon/lead in older homes, contamination or asbestos issues). The inspection contingency should carefully address the right to have additional tests or inspections as recommended by the initial inspector. These might include a chimney, roof, electrical, or HVAC specialist as examples.

SURVEY / USE CONTINGENCIES

There are occasions where a survey contingency may be an essential part of the Offer to Purchase. Most commonly, this occurs with larger parcels or vacant land. It is important to note that your title insurance will not insure the lot lines or boundaries of your real property in the absence of a current ALTA certified survey. If you have a dispute with an adjoining land owner on a lot line after closing, the insurer will have no obligation to defend you in the absence of a survey.

Survey and use contingencies are highly recommended when a purchaser intends to build on a lot or expand on an existing improvement. It is essential to determine whether any setback or ordinance provisions will affect or even prohibit the intended use or improvement. A carefully constructed offer protects the buyer from unintended or adverse consequences once the offer is accepted.

DEED RESTRICTIONS AND COVENANTS

Deed restrictions and covenants are far more common in properties or developments that are newer in nature. However, there are often deed restrictions and covenants attendant to older property. These restrictions and covenants can greatly affect the use of your property. Even something as simple as the desire to construct a fence or paint or re-side your home in a different color can be restricted or prohibited by deed restrictions and covenants. Your offer should always include a contingency for review of deed restrictions and covenants.

FINANCING CONTINGENCIES

It is, of course, always advisable for a prospective purchaser to obtain pre-approval from a lender prior to commencing the pursuit of a home purchase. This is particularly the case given the current economic climate. The financing contingency is of equal importance to the seller and purchaser. Sellers need to pay attention to the terms of the contingency - not only as to the length but also to ascertain that they have a legitimate and serious prospective purchaser.

Buyers want to present this contingency in the terms most favorable to their economic circumstances. A buyer can always elect to go with a higher percentage rate or lower loan to value ratio than stated in the contingency. In short, the contingency should reflect reasonable yet favorable terms as to amount, term and interest rates.

Both parties need to pay particular attention to the loan commitment language regarding the satisfaction of the contingency. The contractual language often contains caveats whereby the mere issuance of a commitment does not necessarily satisfy the commitment.

APPRAISAL CONTINGENCY

While your lender will conduct an appraisal of the home as part of your financing, a separate appraisal contingency affords the purchaser additional protection. The financing contingency does not require that the home appraise out at the offer price. By inserting a separate appraisal contingency requiring the home appraisal value is at least the purchase price offered, a buyer can avoid any risk of being committed to purchase a home at a price in excess of a certified appraisal.

TITLE INSURANCE

Many real estate firms and lenders have relationships with a particular title company. As a seller, you have the right to choose the Title Insurance Company to issue the policy to the buyer. This is a relevant factor as you will find different companies charge different rates and fees on the same transaction. You can save money by making proper inquiry and "shopping" your businesses.

Title Insurance is now a mode by which a purchaser is advised of the status of the title to the property reference ownership, liens, easements, covenants and restrictions of record, etc. It then insures the title subject to exceptions to your coverage. It is absolutely essential that your attorney review the commitment in advance of the closing to clear any problems with the title in advance of closing. A number of standard exceptions to your title coverage can be "marked up" and removed at closing. It is important to have an attorney who can both explain the commitment and ensure you have the broadest title coverage.

Contact Riley Law Office

If Attorney Riley may be of assistance to you with real estate law questions, with residential real estate transaction, with condominium purchase or sale, with residential construction contract review or revision, with easement questions, or with mortgage questions, please contact him for a free initial consultation at (608) 833-3880. Attorney Riley will be happy to speak with you with no cost or obligation on your part.