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22 Nov, 2024 by Chris dobish
Susana and Janet are both amazing. I am so grateful my realtor recommended me to them. I recently used their services for a first time real estate transaction. The guidance they had with me was perfect. My transaction with the sellers was a little difficult to say the least, and they dealt with so much. They’re both extremely professional and down to Earth. I’m extremely happy with my experience.
10/10
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21 Nov, 2024 by Chris
Susana and Janet are both amazing. I am so grateful my realtor recommended me to them. I recently used their services for a first time real estate transaction. The guidance they had with me was perfect. My transaction with the sellers was a little difficult to say the least, and they dealt with so much. They’re both extremely professional and down to Earth. I’m extremely happy with my experience.
10/10
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11 Jun, 2024 by Gabrielle dennis
My teenage son and I came to know real estate attorney Susana Gutierrez Manna, LLC, through our wonderful realtor, Liza Rogala, and they worked together like a dream team in enabling us to sell our 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment in the cooperative building known as Mediterranean North, in Fort Lee, NJ, in 2024.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with selling an apartment in a cooperative apartment building complex, it a very complicated, time-consuming, bureaucratic as well as frustrating process with the need for sellers and buyers as well as their realtors and real estate attorneys and movers etc. to comply with archaic and seemingly-endless not to mention illogical rules and regulations. It can be nerve-wracking and infuriating at times for sellers and buyers and the teams of people assisting those sellers and buyers in navigating the required real estate procedures they are inherently obliged to adhere to in order to sucessfully achieve their real estate goals.
We found Susana Gutierrez Manna, LLC, to be the kindest and most patient as well as polite real estate attorney we had ever encountered. She kept her calm and patience throughout our professional engagement with her from February to May 2024 to sell our apartment in preparation for our impending relocation to another US state. The same can be said about Janet who works with Susana and who replied to my many queries when Susana was not immediately available to respond.
To put things into perspective, I wanted to point out that Mediterranean North has an extremely complicated and excessively bureaucratic administrative set up with its domineering and overbearing building management team, cooperative board and cooperative board attorney's office and their unnecessarily rigid and ridiculously archaic rules and regulations that must be complied with in order for any real estate transactions to commence, proceed and be concluded. At times, it felt like we were cautiously and with much trepidation trying to carefully navigate a perilous journey through a proverbial and extremely dangerous minefield.
Susana never lost her cool and she as well as Janet working seamlessly with our realtor, Liza Rogala from Christies International, to assist my son and me with the eventual closing on the sale of the apartment we had purchased at Mediterranean North so that we could relocate to another state. Thank you very much, Susana and Janet! Thank you very much to Liza for finding and engaging the services of the Law Office of Susana Gutierrez Manna, LLC for my son and me! Thank you very much to Liza, Susana and Janet for working hand-in-hand with each other to enable my son and me to finally conclude the sale of our apartment at Mediterranean North! We could not have done it without the "Dream Team" of Susana, Janet and Liza!
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22 Nov, 2024 by Chris dobish
Susana and Janet are both amazing. I am so grateful my realtor recommended me to them. I recently used their services for a first time real estate transaction. The guidance they had with me was perfect. My transaction with the sellers was a little difficult to say the least, and they dealt with so much. They’re both extremely professional and down to Earth. I’m extremely happy with my experience.
10/10
Read more
11 Jun, 2024 by Gabrielle dennis
My teenage son and I came to know real estate attorney Susana Gutierrez Manna, LLC, through our wonderful realtor, Liza Rogala, and they worked together like a dream team in enabling us to sell our 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment in the cooperative building known as Mediterranean North, in Fort Lee, NJ, in 2024.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with selling an apartment in a cooperative apartment building complex, it a very complicated, time-consuming, bureaucratic as well as frustrating process with the need for sellers and buyers as well as their realtors and real estate attorneys and movers etc. to comply with archaic and seemingly-endless not to mention illogical rules and regulations. It can be nerve-wracking and infuriating at times for sellers and buyers and the teams of people assisting those sellers and buyers in navigating the required real estate procedures they are inherently obliged to adhere to in order to sucessfully achieve their real estate goals.
We found Susana Gutierrez Manna, LLC, to be the kindest and most patient as well as polite real estate attorney we had ever encountered. She kept her calm and patience throughout our professional engagement with her from February to May 2024 to sell our apartment in preparation for our impending relocation to another US state. The same can be said about Janet who works with Susana and who replied to my many queries when Susana was not immediately available to respond.
To put things into perspective, I wanted to point out that Mediterranean North has an extremely complicated and excessively bureaucratic administrative set up with its domineering and overbearing building management team, cooperative board and cooperative board attorney's office and their unnecessarily rigid and ridiculously archaic rules and regulations that must be complied with in order for any real estate transactions to commence, proceed and be concluded. At times, it felt like we were cautiously and with much trepidation trying to carefully navigate a perilous journey through a proverbial and extremely dangerous minefield.
Susana never lost her cool and she as well as Janet working seamlessly with our realtor, Liza Rogala from Christies International, to assist my son and me with the eventual closing on the sale of the apartment we had purchased at Mediterranean North so that we could relocate to another state. Thank you very much, Susana and Janet! Thank you very much to Liza for finding and engaging the services of the Law Office of Susana Gutierrez Manna, LLC for my son and me! Thank you very much to Liza, Susana and Janet for working hand-in-hand with each other to enable my son and me to finally conclude the sale of our apartment at Mediterranean North! We could not have done it without the "Dream Team" of Susana, Janet and Liza!
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07 Mar, 2024 by Teresa rosa
I am so grateful to have been recommended Susana as our legal representative to purchase a property. Her work ethic and due diligence is nothing short of amazing. Susana went above and beyond to ensure all of the documentation was in accordance with local laws and gave us the confidence in the buying process ensuring title and any pending matters were settled. I will be using her for any real estate transactions going forward. Thank you Susana!
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07 Jan, 2019 by Patricia
If I could give Donna less than one star, I would. She "represented" me during my divorce. I was the plaintiff.
She told me she would have my ex's lawyer write the divorce agreement so I wouldn't have to pay, and then ended up charging ME for it.
I was NEVER notified that I exceeded my retainer. She didn't send me one invoice during the entire process. The only way I found out was when she handed me an UNITEMIZED bill with the amount that I still "owed" her the second I stepped out of the courtroom right after my divorce was finalized. It was such a difficult day - no compassion.
I had to ask her for itemized copy, and that amount and the amount on the unitemized invoice were different!!! Poor record keeping.
I needed to refinance my house to pay off my exhusband, and she told me that she would represent me (because she had a title company already and it would be easier according to her???), knowing full well I didn't need a lawyer to refinance. Once again, she tried to get more money from me.
She was completely unprofessional, and showed up a half an hour late at least to court on the day of my divorce - and charged me for that time.
I absolutely DO NOT recommend Donna. She was completely unprofessional, promises things she doesn't deliver, did not act on my behalf, does not keep good records, will not tell you if you exceed your retainer, will try to convince you that you need her services when you really don't, and she has no compassion. If you need a lawyer - use my ex's - Bruce.
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10 Mar, 2018 by Aldo
We hired this attorney to handle an action against a builder doing construction at an adjacent property who entered our fenced in backyard and made changes to our property without our permission when nobody was home. In short, this lawyer's communications and judgment were very poor. She was terrible with follow-up, dropped the ball when there was an opportunity to settle the case, failed to return phone calls and emails for over a month after she blew the first settlement offer, and after the defendant did not appear in court for the scheduled hearing before the Civil court judge she failed to file for a judgement as she was supposed to and promised. The disregard, discourtesy, and incompetence of this lawyer were as bad and even more frustrating than the offending actions of the builder who trespassed and made a mess of our property in the first place. Stay away.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Real Estate Lawyer Can Do for You
A real estate lawyer provides legal assistance in transactions and disputes involving property, including residential and commercial real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or developing property, a real estate attorney can help ensure that your transactions are legally sound and your rights are protected. They review contracts, perform due diligence, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation in negotiations and litigation involving property matters.
Real estate lawyers are crucial in safeguarding your investment by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as protecting you from potential legal pitfalls related to property ownership and transactions.
When Should I Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?
Hiring a real estate lawyer is beneficial in various scenarios, including:
- Buying or selling property: When navigating complex real estate contracts, it’s advisable to have a lawyer review and ensure that the terms are favorable and legal.
- Commercial property transactions: For leasing, purchasing, or selling commercial properties, a lawyer can help manage the intricate legal aspects of such transactions.
- Zoning or land use issues: If you're planning to develop property or change its use, a real estate lawyer can guide you through zoning laws and land use regulations.
- Resolving property disputes: For boundary disputes, title issues, or disagreements over property rights, a lawyer can help mediate or litigate the matter.
- Foreclosures or evictions: If you're dealing with foreclosure or managing a tenant eviction, legal representation ensures that the process adheres to local laws and protects your interests.
- Title and deed issues: Lawyers can help clear title disputes, ensure the legitimacy of property deeds, and handle transfers of ownership.
What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?
A real estate lawyer provides a range of services to help with property transactions and disputes, including:
- Contract drafting and review: Ensuring that purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts are legally binding, fair, and protect your interests.
- Title search and clearance: Conducting a thorough title search to ensure that the property has no legal claims or liens that could affect ownership.
- Facilitate closing: Managing the closing process in real estate transactions, including reviewing final documents and ensuring that everything is in order before the transfer of ownership.
- Resolve disputes: Handling legal disputes related to property ownership, boundaries, zoning, or tenants.
- Assist in financing: Reviewing loan agreements and mortgage documents to ensure the terms are fair and legally sound.
- Zoning and land use advice: Guiding clients through the complexities of zoning laws and building regulations for property development or renovation projects.
How Are Real Estate Lawyers Paid?
Real estate lawyers typically charge for their services in the following ways:
- Flat fee: Many real estate transactions, such as reviewing a sales contract or assisting with a closing, are charged on a flat-fee basis.
- Hourly rates: If a lawyer is handling complex disputes or litigation, they may charge by the hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Contingency fees: In rare cases, such as property disputes or claims for damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win or settle the case.
- Retainer: For ongoing legal support, some clients may pay a retainer, which is an upfront fee used as a deposit for future legal services.
It's important to clarify the fee structure with your attorney before hiring them to avoid any surprises.
How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a real estate lawyer varies based on the complexity of the matter, the location of the property, and the lawyer’s experience. Key factors that affect pricing include:
- Type of transaction or issue: Simple tasks, like contract reviews, typically cost less than handling a complex property dispute or litigation.
- Experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in high-demand areas, like urban centers, often charge higher rates.
- Billing structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee for basic services like document review or hourly for more time-intensive work such as disputes or litigation.
Flat fees for straightforward services like closing assistance may range from $500 to $1,500.
Hourly rates can range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the attorney’s experience and location.
Always discuss fees upfront to understand the overall cost of the legal service you're receiving.
Top Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer
Before hiring a real estate lawyer, ask the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for your legal needs:
-
What experience do you have with real estate law?
Ensure the lawyer has experience in the type of real estate transaction or dispute you’re facing, whether residential, commercial, or development-related. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for services - whether it's a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer - so there are no surprises later on. -
How long will the process take?
Especially important for real estate transactions or disputes with deadlines, ask for a general estimate of how long the process will last. -
Have you handled cases similar to mine?
Experience with similar transactions or disputes can give you confidence that the lawyer knows how to handle your case. -
Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney?
Confirm who will be handling the bulk of your case work, especially in larger firms where junior lawyers may take on some responsibilities. -
Can you provide references?
Speaking with past clients can give you insight into the lawyer's experience and how they handle cases.
How to Check the Credibility of a Real Estate Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable real estate lawyer, take these steps:
- Check with the state bar association: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on legal directories and platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have past clients willing to share their experiences.
- Review their track record and expertise: Look at the lawyer’s website or LinkedIn profile for information about their experience in real estate law and any relevant cases they’ve handled.
- Membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of respected legal or real estate organizations, like the American Bar Association’s Real Property Division, often signal credibility and expertise.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make your first meeting with a real estate lawyer productive, you should prepare the following materials:
- Relevant property documents: Bring purchase agreements, lease contracts, mortgage documents, zoning permits, or any other paperwork related to your case.
- A summary of the issue or transaction: Be ready to explain the situation, whether it's a property dispute, contract negotiation, or development issue.
- Questions about the legal process: Prepare a list of questions about how the lawyer will handle your case and what steps are involved.
- Financial documents or loan agreements: If the case involves financing or a mortgage, bring any related documents for the lawyer to review.
- Your goals and timeline: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, and if there are any deadlines that need to be considered, such as closing dates or legal filings.
By coming prepared, you can ensure that your consultation is efficient and informative, allowing you to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your real estate needs.
