Buyer Representation
Purchasing a home involves signing legally binding contracts which, like any contract, you should read and understand completely before you sign. The Offer, Purchase and Sale Agreement, and the Lender’s Closing Documents all obligate the Buyer to perform certain duties. Attorney Glover represents Buyers at all stages of the home purchase process. He advises Buyers how to best negotiate purchase price, how to protect their deposit, and how to comply with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement. He also attends the closing, explains the significance and terms of each closing document, and assists with any last minute issues.
Offers to Purchase: The Offer to Purchase, when signed by Buyer and Seller, is a legally binding contract. Attorney Glover meets with Buyer’s to draft Offers to Purchase and to ensure Buyers understand their legal obligations. Attorney Glover can add contingencies to a Standard Form Offer to ensure Buyer’s deposit is protected.
Negotiate and Draft Purchase and Sale Agreements: The Purchase and Sale Agreement, like the Offer, is a legally binding contract which obligates the Buyer to perform certain tasks prior to closing. Purchase and Sale Agreements name the parties to the transaction; legally describe the property to be sold; state what, in addition to the land and house, is included in the purchase; dictate what happens if Seller can not deliver title on the closing date; set buyer’s deadlines and notice requirements for financing and inspection contingencies; and state what happens if buyer or seller defaults. Attorney Glover meets with clients, prior to their signing the Purchase and Sale Agreement, to explain each paragraph of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, and to negotiate the terms of the Agreement with Seller or Seller’s Counsel.
Closing: Attorney Glover represents Buyers at the closing table, reviewing the HUD Settlement statement, Deed, and explaining the lenders closing documents. Additionally, he represents clients in any last minute negotiations or issues.
Homestead: A Declaration of Homestead is a document which is recorded at the Registry of Deeds in the county of your primary residence. Once properly drafted and recorded, the Homestead protects the declarant from liquidating equity in declarant’s primary residence to satisfy a debt or lien. A Declaration of Homestead does not protect you against federal, state and local taxes, assessments, claims and liens; first and second mortgages held by financial institutions and others; any and all debts,encumbrances or contracts existing prior to the filing of the declaration of Homestead; an execution issued from the probate court to enforce its judgment that a spouse pay for the support of a spouse or minor children; where buildings on land not owned by the owner of a Homestead estate are attached, levied upon or sold for the ground rent of the lot whereon they stand. The Massachusetts Homestead statute can be viewed at the following link: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/188-1.htm. The Massachusetts Homestead statute for elderly or disabled persons can be viewed at the following link: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/188-1a.htm