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The REALTOR for Attorneys -- Helping Lawyers Buy & Sell Houses

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

LawyersYou've heard all the lawyer jokes and so have I. 

In fact, let me let you in on a little secret:  There's only one lawyer joke.  All the rest are true stories.

There's a lot of law involved in a real estate transaction.  There's agency law, contract law, property law, tax law, condominium regulations, homeowner's association rules, escrow accounts, and more.  Some states like New York require attorneys to write the real estate purchase contract.  In Virginia & D.C., real estate agents fill in the blanks on a form contract provided by the local associations.

In the D.C. metropolitan area, I've heard it reported that approximately 1 in 4 adults holds a law degree, although not all practice law.  If you are an attorney looking to buy or sell a home, you may find it beneficial to work with a REALTOR who speaks your language.

REALTOR / AttorneyIntroducing THE REALTOR FOR ATTORNEYS:

Brian Block, Esq., REALTOR / Attorney

Here's some background about why you should consider trusting your real estate needs to me.

I graduated from highly-ranked George Mason Law School in 1998.  For 2 years, I practiced banking litigation at a medium-sized law firm in D.C. representing major banks suing the U.S. government in the aftermath of the 1980s S&L crisis.  Following that, I worked a year in securities law advising on private placements and public offerings as well as some general practice.

After a short time handling legal matters on my own for private clients, I entered real estate in early 2002.  Reaching out to area attorneys to help them with their real estate needs, I shortly became "Of Counsel" with a real estate litigation firm in Old Town Alexandria.  For 3 years while I built my real estate sales business, at the law firm, I learned the real estate business ins and outs from the legal perspective.  

 

Learn about The Difference Between Realtors & Lawyers

 

I learned what can go wrong with a real estate transaction. 

 

95-97% of real estate deals go smoothly.  Everyone shakes hands at the settlement table.  Sellers get their money.  Buyers get the keys to the new house.  Everybody is happy.

These were not the people who showed up at our law firm.  The people who walk in the door at a real estate litigation firm are those 3-5% that have big problems.  Lots of money at stake.  Nobody's happy.  I've seen deceit, fraud, trickery, and big bucks litigation.  These are deals that went really wrong.  I've been to settlements where the parties did not want to see each other let alone sit at the same settlement table.  I've seen defaults, judgments, and class action lawsuits.

I understand contractsAs a REALTOR, I incorporate my knowledge and experience of the law to best serve my clients.  While I'm not representing my clients as an attorney nor practicing law, I bring those skills to the table.  My job is to ease the anxieties and prevent those 3-5% of transactions from going awry.

Thus, as a result, many of my clients do end up being attorneys themselves.  There seems to be a comfort level. 

I can speak legalese. 

I've even had the stereotypical 20 minute discussion with attorney clients over comma placement. 

I understand contracts. 

I understand property. 

I can negotiate.  

 

Here's a little chart to help you make a wise decision:

 

 

Brian Block, Esq.

 REALTOR / Attorney

Average Real

Estate Agent

Graduated Law School

YES!

NO

REALTOR > 5 Years

YES!

NO

Can Explain Contract Terms

YES!

NO

Real Estate Broker’s License

YES!

NO

Knows the Rule Against Perpetuities

YES!

NO


As an attorney, you need to concentrate on your billable hours.  Why not leave the stress of the homebuying or home selling process to a REALTOR / Attorney that you can trust?

Contact Brian Block, Esq. today!

 

Comments (60)

Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
KENT:  Cute!  Thanks.
May 03, 2008 11:17 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
TONI:  Thanks for your comment and I'm sure that you are an above-average agent!  Finding a niche can be very helpful indeed.
May 03, 2008 11:18 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
KATHLEEN:  Thanks for your compliments.  Feel free to have your son give me a call if you want to help sway him.
May 03, 2008 11:20 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
ANDREW:  Yes, I do ask my clients to sign a disclaimer/disclosure stating that I am only representing them as a REALTOR unless they enter into a separate written fee agreement for legal representation.  I also ask that they do not take anything I say as legal advice.
May 03, 2008 11:21 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
NATALIE:  I appreciate your sincere recommendation.  Thanks!
May 03, 2008 11:22 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
JEREMY:  Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
May 03, 2008 11:23 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
KATHY:  I appreciate you putting me at the top of your list for D.C. and Virginia referrals.
May 03, 2008 11:23 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
TED:  Thanks for the compliments and the vote.
May 03, 2008 11:27 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
JERI & HENRI:  Thanks for stopping by and commenting.  I appreciate it.
May 03, 2008 11:28 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
NAOMA:  Thanks a bunch.  Why don't you move up here?
May 03, 2008 11:28 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
EMILY:  Thanks for your comments and for subscribing to my blog.  I really appreciate that.
May 03, 2008 11:29 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
JASON:  Thanks a bunch, my friend.
May 03, 2008 11:30 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
ELIZABETH: I really appreciate all your comments and certainly wish it meant I got all the business, but there's lots of competition here.
May 03, 2008 11:31 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
PATRICIA:  Thanks for your comments.  I think that any REALTOR working in the D.C. area can't avoid working with a good number of attorneys.  It's just our demographics.
May 03, 2008 11:36 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
CHRISTY:  Thanks for reading and commenting.
May 03, 2008 11:39 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
REBECCA:  Glad you see where I am coming from on this post.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.
May 03, 2008 11:40 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
LISA:  2 days discussing a stinking comma (or three)!  Wow!  Very funny.
May 03, 2008 11:41 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
SHANNON:  Thanks for your comments and compliments.  Hope you had a great dinner.
May 03, 2008 11:42 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
SARAH:  While yes I am allowed to give legal advice to clients since I am an attorney, I typically shy away from that and only represent clients in one capacity -- as an agent.  If they want legal representation they can hire me separately or hire another attorney. 
May 03, 2008 11:43 PM
Denise Shears
Shears Virtual Advantage - Beaverton, MI

Smart marketing technique.  Good for you for finding your niche.

Mar 12, 2009 08:03 AM