Legal Protection for Every Client We Represent
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Here's how we help you do it with real legal backup in your corner, at no cost to you.
A home sale can bring up a lot of questions. What does this clause mean? Are there tax consequences? What happens if something goes sideways after closing? Real estate agents aren't allowed to give legal advice, which can leave buyers and sellers feeling stuck at exactly the moments that matter most.
That's why we include the Buyer & Seller Legal Protection Plan with every transaction. It gives you affordable, on-demand access to experienced real estate attorneys throughout your deal, plus lifetime dispute help after you close. And the best part: we cover the cost for you.
It’s on The House
This is a benefit we provide to our clients, not another line item on your closing statement. We cover the plan's fee so you get attorney access and after-sale dispute support without paying for it yourself.
A few things worth knowing about how the plan is structured:
No cost to you. You don't pay anything up front, and there are no prepaid fees.
Paid at closing, by us. We take care of the plan fee at the close of escrow.
No close, no charge. If your sale falls through for any reason and escrow doesn't close, there's no charge for any services provided. No closing, no fee.
For buyers
This is for you if you have:
Questions about the Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA) or a contingency
A concern about a disclosure, before or after the close of escrow
Worries about title, inspections, or what you're signing
Questions about the tax side of your purchase
A dispute or non-disclosure that surfaces after you've moved in
What you get:
Attorney on the phone. Up to 30 minutes of phone advice with a licensed real estate attorney, per matter, with no limit on the number of different questions tied to your property.
Document review. Up to 16 pages of documents reviewed by the attorney.
Discounted extra help. Up to 25% off the attorney's normal fees for any extra services you need.
For sellers
This is for you if you have:
Disclosure guidance, so you know what you're required to share
Questions about an offer, counteroffer, or the terms you're agreeing to
Help understanding the listing agreement or other paperwork
Questions about the tax ramifications of your sale
A dispute with a buyer or third party during or after closing escrow
What you get:
Attorney on the phone. Up to 30 minutes of phone advice with a licensed real estate attorney, per matter, with no limit on the number of separate matters tied to your property.
Document review. Up to 16 pages of documents reviewed, whether that's disclosures, the listing agreement, or offer paperwork.
Discounted extra help. Up to 25% off normal attorney fees for any extra services you request.
Protection that lasts after you close
Some issues only surface after escrow closes. For buyers, that often means discovering a problem the seller didn't disclose, or another dispute that comes to light once you've moved in. The usual assumption is that your only option is to hire a lawyer and file suit. The plan helps you avoid that expense and stress with lifetime dispute resolution services after closing, including:
Self-help guidelines for communicating a claim to the other party, including sample demand letters.
Informal mediation to resolve most disputes early, with a success rate above 96%.
Help facilitating the mediation required by the mediation clause found in most purchase agreements.
Guidance on the small claims court system if other remedies don't resolve things.
These services cover disputes involving buyers, sellers, and other third parties tied to your transaction, and they last for life. So if you're a buyer and a non-disclosure or other issue surfaces years down the road, you can still turn to the plan. Disputes are handled by professional mediators (who are not attorneys).
The bottom line
Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming, even with a great agent by your side. Including the Buyer & Seller Legal Protection Plan is one more way we help you move forward with confidence: real attorney access when you need it, lifetime dispute support after closing, and no cost to you.
Have questions about how the plan applies to your transaction?
Just let your agent at The House know and we’re happy to walk you through it.
The Buyer & Seller Legal Protection Plan is administered by Real Estate Risk Management (RERM). This article is a general summary for our clients and is not legal or tax advice.