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27 Jan, 2015 by Kim chitwood, realtor
Stephen has been a joy to work with. He is wonderful with my real estate clients. He really takes the time to explain all the documentation in a way that is not confusing or difficult to understand. He has always made himself available to answer questions about any of my transactions. My clients are always happy when they leave his office.
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03 Feb, 2014 by Marion
The law firm is very professional, responsive and trustworthy. I have had multiple occasions where I was unsure of the course of actions my clients needed to take regarding both real estate and non real estate questions. I unhesitatingly sent them the the Law Office of Stephen B Ott. Not only have they exceeded my expectations but my clients report they received same kind of services that I had described. Responsive, prompt responses, attention to detail, fully satisfied with results, not just good service but GREAT service from beginning to end are the most frequent comments I have received from my referrals. Since I personally receive all of these benefits and more, I don't hesitate to refer my clients, friends, family and conduct my closing with the Law Firm of Stephen D Ott. You wont believe the incredible service his support staff provides as well. Kudos to this law firm.
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03 Feb, 2024 by Ramses b
Attorney answered all of my questions and was very professional.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Sherry's daughter
11 Nov, 2023 by Shelby sellers
Had a wonderful experience with this office representing the buyer. They were on top of everything and were very accommodating when we had to move everything to later in the day.
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03 Feb, 2024 by Ramses b
Attorney answered all of my questions and was very professional.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Sherry's daughter
11 Nov, 2023 by Shelby sellers
Had a wonderful experience with this office representing the buyer. They were on top of everything and were very accommodating when we had to move everything to later in the day.
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24 Apr, 2022 by Steven
John Mrosek came highly referred to me by a really great home inspector and all around good man as I was in the process of buying a condominium in downtown Atlanta. I had told my inspector some of the serious problems I’d been having with my “real estate agent”, a woman who was lazy, ALWAYS HOURS late for home tours AND who told me that I didn’t need to ask for an inspection or any due diligence simply because I was interested in purchasing a condo as opposed to a single family home. As a first time homebuyer, I believed her, plus it was my lender, First Community Mortgage who referred her. And so I signed a purchase agreement that asked for no due diligence and because she gave no guidance about request seller concessions, the agreement I signed asked for NOTHING from the sellers.
As you can imagine, this was NOT at all in my best interest. And so after I spent weeks haggling with the AWFUL woman who was supposed to be my realtor, I was finally able to get her to ask the sellers to allow me to inspect the place. But she agreed to have an inspection done that would still leave the sellers free of any responsibility to fix or adjust their asking price based on the inspection findings.
I shared all of this with my home inspector who was as kind and concerned as a grandfather. He immediately told me about real estate attorney John Mrosek. I reached out to the attorney and after a more than 1 hour phone consultation wherein I detailed ALL of what I was going through, he offered his services. He told me that his hourly rate is $300 and that he requires a 5 hour retainer fee of $1500 upfront in order to start defending me.
I paid his retainer fee and he asked me to send every email exchange I had with her and her brokerage firm. There were plenty of emails. At a short point after I began forwarding the emails, he text me saying that I don’t want to use up all 5 hours on him going through emails!!! So, I stopped.
As things worsened between me and my fake realtor, I kept updating John and asking for his LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND HELP! He suggested I use what he calls the “walk away method” wherein I’d email the sellers agent that I’m no longer interested in the property. I copied my fake realtor and John on this email. John replied to me saying in effect, “very good, you’ve got them right where you want them to be...”
All of this was happening during the holidays of 2021. The sellers replied by saying that they would sue me for not honoring the terms of the binding legal purchase contract I had signed and that they would keep my earnest money. I emailed John with this info but he did not respond. I would not hear from John for the next 2 weeks, assumably because he was on holiday; but he never gave me a heads up that he would not be available.
By the time I heard from John in the 2nd week of 2022, I had lost my earnest money and both the sellers agent and my fake real estate agent were threatening to sue me for commissions they would’ve receive had I closed on the date that had been set. John’s response to me was that my case “is not easy” and that I “sent too many emotional emails that were rambling...” I was furious!
I asked John only 1 request, I asked if he would call a meeting between us, my fake realtor and the sellers agent so we might be able to come to an agreement. John responded saying that it might open a can of worms if he and I were to show up together; that it would cause the sellers to bring their lawyer. I was like, so? What’s wrong with that?
This was my ONLY request and it was denied by John Mrosek. After this, about 2 solid weeks went by and I heard NOTHING FROM JOHN. I then emailed him saying that he was either dead, out of town or had given up on my case. No response. Another 2 weeks passed and so I sent him an email detailing all the money I had lost in my efforts to purchase the property and I added in his $1500 retainer fee as another chunk of wasted money. He refunded ONLY $420! Saddening.
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26 May, 2018 by Tom
John helped me tremendously in buying out a partner and establishing my company. He has been there for me throughout the development of my business and is the only one I contacted when I was approached to sell. He is a great resource for thinking through issues in business.
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21 May, 2018 by David
Being in business for well over 25 years resulted in multiple needs for the services of a competent attorney. Lawyers who promise results but work little beyond filing form letters is my typical view of the disappointing results my company has experienced with the law profession prior to hiring John Mrosek. I commend and highly recommend John who proved to be the ONLY attorney that delivered highly productive results saving my company from nefarious or illegitimate lawsuits in several instances.
John will not tell me what I want to hear but what I need to hear and do to gain resolution while shortcutting the often wasteful costs of moving a case forward through the system. From several (supposedly uncollectable) six-digit collection cases which were resolved in my company's favor to defending against frivolous lawsuits, helping us navigate the many legal hurdles to insure our business foundations and practices are solid and defensible to providing me with a comfort and security that we are a well run and honorable company.
John Mrosek IS Great Bang For The Buck and very affordable. I am thankful for his service. John if you read this Thank You for helping me save my company and protecting our work force family....
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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.
