Function

• A real estate attorney protects your interests in the transaction. For example, a lawyer can review or help prepare your purchase agreement, advising you of certain conditions or contingencies that should be included in your contract.
  
  

Research

• A real estate attorney should be able to perform a title search and examination of the property, checking for unpaid liens or mortgages. If the attorney is a title insurance agent, you will be able to purchase title insurance from her. If not, the attorney most likely works closely with a title insurance company that can sell you a title policy.
  
  

Preparing the Deed

• The laws regarding how you hold title to property are complex, and may even determine what happens to your property in the case of death. An experienced real estate attorney will know the law regarding deed preparation. A document as important as a deed should not be left in the hands of an inexperienced layman.