Real Estate

Yes. North Carolina law requires a licensed North Carolina attorney to supervise residential real estate closings. Your closing attorney examines title to the property, prepares or reviews closing documents, handles the transfer of funds, records the deed and other documents, and helps ensure that you receive good title to the property.

Yes. If you are buying or selling property without a real estate agent, our office can prepare a purchase contract tailored to your transaction. However, we generally recommend working with a qualified real estate agent who can guide you through pricing, negotiations, inspections, due diligence, and the many practical details of buying or selling property. If you choose to proceed without an agent, we can help make sure your contract addresses the legal terms of the transaction before you sign.

In a typical North Carolina purchase contract, the Due Diligence Fee is paid directly to the seller and is nonrefundable, while Earnest Money is held in escrow until closing. During the Due Diligence Period, the buyer has the right to terminate the contract for any reason. If the buyer terminates on time, the Earnest Money is returned, but the Due Diligence Fee is not. If the transaction closes, both amounts are credited toward the purchase price. The amount of each deposit and the length of the Due Diligence Period are negotiable terms of the contract.

Once the contract is signed, the due diligence period begins. During this time, buyers typically arrange inspections, finalize financing, obtain a survey if desired, and investigate any concerns about the property. Meanwhile, the closing attorney performs the title search, works with the lender and other parties, prepares the closing documents, and addresses title issues that may arise. We help keep the legal side of the transaction moving toward closing and let you know what we need from you along the way.

Most residential real estate transactions close within 30 to 45 days after the contract is signed, although the timeline depends on the terms of your contract. Cash purchases can often close more quickly, while financing, title issues, inspections, repairs, or other complications may require additional time. Your contract establishes the closing date, and our office works with the parties involved to keep the transaction on track.

A title search is an examination of the public records relating to a piece of real estate. The closing attorney reviews every deed in the chain of title and checks for liens, judgments, easements, restrictions, and other recorded documents that may affect the property. If the search reveals a problem, our office works with the parties to address it before closing whenever possible.

Yes. We regularly prepare deeds for transfers between family members, including gifts of property and transfers made as part of estate planning. Before preparing the deed, we’ll talk with you about what you’re trying to accomplish and how you want the property to be owned. Even a seemingly simple family transfer can have important legal and tax consequences, so we recommend speaking with an attorney before signing or recording a deed.

Property disputes are often easier to resolve when they are addressed early. If you have a disagreement about a boundary line, easement, right of way, shared road, or access to your property, gather any deeds, surveys, plats, agreements, and other documents you have and contact an attorney before taking action. We can review the property records, help you understand your rights, and work toward a practical resolution—through negotiation when possible and litigation when necessary.