Protecting Your Interests from Contract to Closing.
Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial transactions of your life — and in New Jersey, having an experienced real estate attorney is standard practice. I represent buyers, sellers, and property owners throughout Union County and New Jersey, with a flat fee quoted upfront and one attorney handling everything.
Attorney Review: Three Days That Decide Everything.
New Jersey is an "attorney review" state. The standard Realtor contract includes a three-business-day period during which your attorney can review, modify, or disapprove the contract entirely. This is the most important stage of any New Jersey real estate transaction — and going into it without counsel puts you at a serious disadvantage.
During attorney review, I examine every clause and negotiate provisions tailored to your situation: inspection contingencies and timelines, mortgage contingency terms, allocation of closing costs, repair credits, underground storage tank provisions, open permit searches, use-and-occupancy terms if the closing date shifts, and default provisions. Once both attorneys agree, the contract becomes binding — so the protection has to be built in now.
Every Piece of the Transaction.
Purchases & Sales
For buyers: contract review, protective terms, lender coordination, title review, closing attendance. For sellers: negotiating buyer requests, resolving title issues, and a smooth closing.
Title Search & Insurance
Liens, easements, boundary disputes, record errors, claims from prior owners — I review the title search, resolve defects before closing, and make sure your policy actually protects you.
Underground Storage Tanks
A leaking oil tank can mean tens of thousands in remediation. Every contract I touch includes a UST clause requiring disclosure, permitting a tank sweep, and allocating responsibility.
Open Permits & Municipal Searches
A previous owner's unfinished permit becomes your problem at resale. I investigate open permits and require sellers to resolve them before closing.
Closing Coordination
I coordinate with your lender, review and explain every document you sign, handle the financial mechanics, and ensure the deed is properly recorded.
Refinances
Loan document review, New Jersey compliance, and closing attendance for homeowners refinancing their mortgage.
The Contract Is a Starting Point. Not a Finished Product.
The vast majority of New Jersey residential transactions involve attorneys on both sides — because the standard Realtor contract doesn't protect you from environmental, title, and permit issues that can cost thousands. Compared to the price of the home and the cost of problems that go undetected, attorney representation is one of the most cost-effective protections available.
Good Questions. Clear Answers.
Do I need an attorney to buy a house in New Jersey?
While not legally required, it is standard practice in New Jersey for both buyers and sellers to have attorney representation. Your attorney negotiates the contract during attorney review, addresses title issues, handles UST and permit concerns, and represents your interests at closing.
What is attorney review in a NJ real estate transaction?
A three-business-day period after the contract is signed during which either party's attorney can review, modify, or cancel it. It is a critical protection for both buyers and sellers — and the main reason attorney representation matters so much in New Jersey.
How much does a real estate attorney cost in NJ?
A standard residential purchase or sale is a flat fee covering contract review and negotiation, coordination through closing, title review, and closing attendance. I quote the fee upfront, before any work begins — no hourly billing, no surprises.
What is a UST clause and why does it matter?
It addresses potential underground oil or fuel tanks on the property. In New Jersey, undisclosed tanks can create significant environmental liability. A properly drafted clause requires disclosure, testing, and remediation if tanks are found.
What are open permits and why should I care?
An open permit means past construction was never signed off by the municipality. It can block your certificate of occupancy, a future sale, or insurance. Your attorney should require resolution before closing.
You're Buying a Home. Now Protect It.
Closing day is when most families realize they have real assets — and no plan. Three documents every new homeowner needs: a will that says who gets the house, a power of attorney so someone can act if you can't, and — if you want your family to skip probate court — a living trust that can hold the home. I offer every closing client a flat-fee estate plan, and we can start the week after you close.
Buying or Selling in New Jersey?
Whether it's your first home, a sale, or a complex transaction — I protect your interests from contract to closing.
The Himmel Law Firm • 277 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ • Serving Union County & All of New Jersey