A real estate attorney helps efficiently process real estate closings by managing contract terms and clearing title issues. They identify potential problems or "red flags" like liens, bankruptcies, or trusts that could delay closing. The attorney provides a concise closing package and communicates regularly to resolve issues and complete closings on time. Using their experience and in-house team, they offer accurate closings, low fees, and concierge services to real estate agents and their clients.

1. Contract to Closing
with the Law Office of
Sam J. Saad III
How a real estate attorney helps YOU
efficiently process your closing
851 5th Avenue North, Suite 306
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 963-1635 | Sam@SaadLegal.com

2. What does a real estate attorney do?
• Manage the contract terms
– Inspections, Loan Commitments, Short sales
– Extensions
– Closing
• Clear the title
– Association Estoppel Letters
– Utility Liens
– Tax Liens – Property and IRS
– Mortgages and Lines of Credit

3. Red Flags that Hold Up Closing
• Divorce or Separation
• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure
• Recent Marriage of Seller or Buyer
• Liens or judgments against property owners
• Death of property owners
• Easements obtained or given since purchase of
property

4. Red Flags that Hold Up Closing
• Known encroachments
• Sellers or Buyers that will not be present
• at closing
• Powers of Attorney
• Trusts
• Probate
• Foreign sellers
• Guardianship or Incompetence of seller

5. MAKE LIFE EASY
What can you do to…

6. When you take a listing…
• Before you go on the listing appointment:
– Prior Deed (may be a link from MLS or Property
Appraiser)
• Tells you who you need to deal with
• Multiple People on the deed means multiple people on the contract
– Glance at the public Record
• Collier Clerk Website – www.collierclerk.com
• Ex-spouse? Deceased Party?
• LLC Owner
• Trust Owner
• Somebody signed as “Power of Attorney”
– Pre-fill and Pre-deliver all the listing documents and
disclosures

7. When you take a listing…
• Ask your seller for the following:
– Prior Title Policy
• NABOR Contract has $150 penalty if the seller does not have it
• Solves a lot of title issues that could delay closing
• Even better, get the entire package from the seller’s purchase
– Mortgage Statements
• Ask specifically about a second mortgage/Line of Credit
– Association Information
• Who do they Pay? Ask for a statement.
• Is there a Master and Local Association?
• Get the Association docs – three day right of rescission
– Power of Attorney, Death Certificate, Trust Agreement,
LLC Operating Agreement

8. TO CLOSING
From contract…

9. Once the contract is signed…
• DEADLINES – the clock is ticking
• Get the CLOSING PACKAGE to the closing attorney
ASAP
– All pages of the contract
– Power of Attorney, Death Certificate, Trust Agreement,
LLC Operating Agreement
– Contact Information for all parties
– Prior Title Policy
– Mortgage Statements
– Association Information
– Commission Information
– SELLER and BUYER INFORMATION FORM

10. Once the contract is signed…
• What should your closing package contain:
– All pages of the contract
• Even if it’s a standard form, we need to see that no changes have
been made and make sure everyone signed the same contract
• Include addendums and amendments
– Prior Title Policy
• Will tell your title agent a lot of information to speed up the process
• $150 penalty in NABOR contract
– Mortgage Statements
• Gives the closing agent contact information for the lender
• Does not work as a payoff
– Signed Association Notice
• Buyer has a 3 day unwaivable statutory right to cancel for no
reason

11. Once the contract is signed…
• What should your closing package contain:
– Association Information
• Name of Association
• Contact Person
• Contact Information – phone, address and email
– Association Application
• Seller should provide to the buyer
– Power of Attorney
• New Florida statute that makes this very complicated
• The new world of lending makes these virtually useless
– Death Certificates
• Must have an original
• Out of State – title agent may need to order

12. Once the contract is signed…
• What should your closing package contain:
– Trust Agreement
• We need the complete trust agreement
• Shows who has the power to sign
– LLC Operating Agreement
• Shows who has the power to sign
– Commission Information
• Commission Verification Form signed by both sides
• Prefer to get a copy of the listing agreement for the file
• Any additional Broker compensation?
• Same Day Pay Form

13. A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU
We want to build…

14. What do we need from you?
• Information
– Get our team involved early. Every legal issue or
problem can be resolved – with time
– Use our Buyer and Seller Information Forms to
identify potential problems early
– Learn the Red Flags to avoid the pitfalls

15. What you should expect from us
• Accuracy
– Closings done right and right away
• Information
– Regular communication about the progress of the
closing
– Early notification of any issues
– Lender Follow up
– Post-Closing Documentation

16. Our team offers you…
• Guaranteed lowest closing fee
• Same day pay on commissions (with Broker’s ok)
• Staff with over 30 years of experience and NO
title claims
• Concierge Title Services® for pick up and
delivery of documents, contracts, deposits,
commission checks, keys, etc.
• Knowledgeable Attorneys to answer your
questions
• Always up to date on new regulations

17. Our team offers you…
• Fully in-house team to minimize complications
and logistical issues
• Time saved from running around
• Liability reduced from handling original
documents and confidential information
• Last minute rushes are handled by our
Concierge Title Service®

18. For more information visit
www.SaadLegal.com
851 5th Avenue North, Suite 306
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 963-1635 | Sam@SaadLegal.com
Thank you!