Pennsylvania: Real Estate Attorney Necessary?

[Jason Morris]

I'm a new investor, looking for my first purchase in the Philadelphia area. To my surprise, a real estate attorney is not needed to sign a contract or close on a property. I'm aware it's recommended to have one. I'm also aware Pennsylvania has the standard agreement for the sale of real estate. So how necessary is it to have an attorney if I'm simply purchasing a single family home?

[Chris K.]

@Jason Morris

You can probably get by without an attorney. I would say use either a real-estate agent or an attorney depending on the situation. You can also use both but you typically don't need both for a single family purchase (unless there are some complicated issues). 

Disclaimer: While I’m an attorney licensed to practice in PA, I’m not your attorney. What I wrote above does not create an attorney/client relationship between us. I wrote the above for informational purposes. Do not rely on it for legal advice. Always consult with your attorney before you rely on the above information.