BUYING A HOME IN MICHIGAN? BEFORE YOU SIGN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, READ THIS.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Yet many buyers spend weeks researching neighborhoods, mortgage rates, and home inspections while spending only a few minutes reviewing the purchase agreement.

That can be a costly mistake.

The purchase agreement is the document that determines your legal rights and obligations throughout the transaction. It addresses issues such as inspection contingencies, financing, title matters, closing deadlines, default remedies, and what happens if the transaction doesn't go as planned.

In Michigan, you are not required to hire a real estate attorney to buy a home.

But you should understand what that means.

Your real estate agent is an important part of the transaction and provides invaluable guidance throughout the buying process. Your lender focuses on financing. The title company helps facilitate the closing and issue title insurance.

A real estate attorney serves a different role.

An attorney's job is to review the contract from a legal perspective, explain your rights and obligations, identify provisions that may expose you to unnecessary risk, and help you understand the potential consequences before you become legally bound.

In my practice, I've reviewed purchase agreements involving resale homes, new construction, title concerns, financing issues, inspection disputes, seller defaults, and buyer defaults. One thing I've learned is that many legal issues can often be addressed before the agreement is signed—but become much more difficult to resolve afterward.

A legal review before signing may help you better understand:

• What happens if the inspection reveals significant problems.

• Whether your financing contingency adequately protects you.

• Your rights if the seller fails to close.

• The seller's remedies if you cannot complete the purchase.

• Important deadlines that could affect your rights.

• Contract provisions that deserve clarification or further negotiation.

For most people, a home purchase is one of the largest investments they will ever make. Having an attorney review the purchase agreement before you sign can provide clarity, reduce uncertainty, and help you make an informed decision before you commit to a legally binding contract.

If you're buying a home in Michigan and would like your purchase agreement reviewed before you sign, Dawisha Law assists buyers by reviewing contracts, explaining legal risks, and helping clients understand exactly what they are agreeing to before moving forward.

The best time to identify a legal issue is before you sign the agreement—not after.

DeLone Dawisha

Principal and Founder

Dawisha Law, PLLC

248-904-5123

ddawisha@dawishalaw.com