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Started By
Message
OT lawyers: Real Estate work?
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:13 pm
I've been talking with a local bank and putting a lot of thought into gearing our firm towards more real estate work. I want to hear some opinions from other lawyers about the market's growth potential and profitability. The firm I'm with used to do a ton of real estate work around our area before the market bottomed out (and also one of our partners became disabled around the same time). I'm growing a bit tired of dealing with lowlifes and I'm always looking for a new revenue stream.
Thoughts and experiences would be appreciated. TIA
Thoughts and experiences would be appreciated. TIA
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:14 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
Real estate is cyclical.
That's the risk you run
quote:
The firm I'm with used to do a ton of real estate work around our area before the market bottomed out
That's the risk you run
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:22 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
you think the bank has good paper? if you are closing atty on first sale/first mortgage on a piece of property you should be fine assuming you get good Title report back. However, today, many "Good" Titles are simply a lie. Google "MERS" scandal and mortgage fraud.. LA was hit pretty hard but not as bad as FL, TX, GA,CO, CA etc... it will still be 5-10 yrs bf we get back to pre 06 levels, if ever.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:40 pm to blackmouth
Yeah I have a lot of confidence in the bank. It's relatively new but most are and it's board is made up of many local individuals with strong real estate backgrounds. Supposedly my area is the fastest growing region of the state. But I don't have my head wrapped around the real estate market well enough to know the outlook.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:41 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
All titles seem to have defects these days. Very few simple transactions.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:45 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
LINK /
this is the lawyer that blew the lid off the bank's chosen foreclosure mill law firms....filth. some of those lawyers should be shot.
this is the lawyer that blew the lid off the bank's chosen foreclosure mill law firms....filth. some of those lawyers should be shot.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:47 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
You will have to compete with the 100s of title companies that strictly do closings and make their money by volume. They seem to have cut the market down to nothing. I have seen some only charge like $300 for a closing and title opinion.
Hopefully your paralegal, whom we know will be doing the work, isn't too expensive because it seems like it would be hard to compete against those title companies that do 20 closings a day.
I am old school and still prefer having an abstract in hand when I buy something so I will pay more for a closing though I know that rarely happens anymore.
Hopefully your paralegal, whom we know will be doing the work, isn't too expensive because it seems like it would be hard to compete against those title companies that do 20 closings a day.
I am old school and still prefer having an abstract in hand when I buy something so I will pay more for a closing though I know that rarely happens anymore.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 1:58 pm to stout
Yeah our firm used to operate an abstract company on the side but there just isn't much work nowadays.
The title companies might take the wind out of my sails a bit. I don't want to do closings for ~$200.
The title companies might take the wind out of my sails a bit. I don't want to do closings for ~$200.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 2:18 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
I just stopped doing it entirely. But, I'm a solo practitioner. It just wasn't worth it.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 2:40 pm to SabiDojo
quote:
I just stopped doing it entirely. But, I'm a solo practitioner. It just wasn't worth it.
You just need to charge more. Like $2,500 per closing, plus costs. You are a lawyer for God's sake. Charge like a man and make them pay it.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 2:44 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
<--Real estate attorney here
The good:
Compared to other areas of law, it is very rewarding handing keys to buyers and checks to sellers. Has more of a 9-5 feel and you rarely take too much stress home. Money can be good but all of this depends on how your firm compensates you. If you are personable, you should be able to succeed because much of what you will be doing is shmoozing loan officers and realtors. The Louisiana market is very strong right now. Excellent marketing skills will help you connect with the younger loan officers and realtors (most older ones have pretty strong relationships with the established title attorneys around town). Passing title insurance test is easy.
The bad:
Tough to reach OT baller status in real estate unless you are churning through a lot of title. There really isn't that infamous "18 wheeler wreck" that will set up your retirement. Sure a 10 million dollar deal can pull in a 30k title insurance policy, but those deals are tough to come by and your portion of that policy is not going to get you very far.
Lots of arse kissing to realtors and many in that profession are unbearable dipshits with unwarranted egos. Just like anything If you are new, breaking into the field will be tough but since your firm has a history of closings it may help.
In a competitive market anything less than 5 day turnaround time (to run title and prepare commitments) is going to be frowned upon so you need a kick arse abstractor(s) and a great closing secretary. If your closing secretary sucks no LO's are going to want to send you business. Also, don't put all eggs in one basket. You mention "a bank." You will need a relationship with many banks and many realtors ( and a few builders)
TLDR synopsis:
Rewarding area of law
Louisiana market is strong
Money is okay, but OT baller status will be tough
Better get a good closing secretary and abstractor
Don't be a social retard like many attorneys
Pucker up because you will kiss the arse of many undesireables
The good:
Compared to other areas of law, it is very rewarding handing keys to buyers and checks to sellers. Has more of a 9-5 feel and you rarely take too much stress home. Money can be good but all of this depends on how your firm compensates you. If you are personable, you should be able to succeed because much of what you will be doing is shmoozing loan officers and realtors. The Louisiana market is very strong right now. Excellent marketing skills will help you connect with the younger loan officers and realtors (most older ones have pretty strong relationships with the established title attorneys around town). Passing title insurance test is easy.
The bad:
Tough to reach OT baller status in real estate unless you are churning through a lot of title. There really isn't that infamous "18 wheeler wreck" that will set up your retirement. Sure a 10 million dollar deal can pull in a 30k title insurance policy, but those deals are tough to come by and your portion of that policy is not going to get you very far.
Lots of arse kissing to realtors and many in that profession are unbearable dipshits with unwarranted egos. Just like anything If you are new, breaking into the field will be tough but since your firm has a history of closings it may help.
In a competitive market anything less than 5 day turnaround time (to run title and prepare commitments) is going to be frowned upon so you need a kick arse abstractor(s) and a great closing secretary. If your closing secretary sucks no LO's are going to want to send you business. Also, don't put all eggs in one basket. You mention "a bank." You will need a relationship with many banks and many realtors ( and a few builders)
TLDR synopsis:
Rewarding area of law
Louisiana market is strong
Money is okay, but OT baller status will be tough
Better get a good closing secretary and abstractor
Don't be a social retard like many attorneys
Pucker up because you will kiss the arse of many undesireables
Posted on 7/20/14 at 2:48 pm to Traffic Circle
The cost of compliance to do residential transactions will put 60% of the title attorneys in business now out of business. If you can afford $60k per year in compliance and make then you'll be okay.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 3:20 pm to hollywoodlsu
quote:
hollywoodlsu
Very solid advice/guidance here.
My bride did it for almost three years and was MISERABLE because she's kind of an introvert. The arse kissing doesn't stop if you are going to make any money, at least with the firm/title co. she worked for.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 3:25 pm to Stexas
quote:
My bride did it for almost three years and was MISERABLE because she's kind of an introvert. The arse kissing doesn't stop if you are going to make any money, at least with the firm/title co. she worked for.
Maybe she didn't screw the clients? If she did, maybe she would have got the work?
Posted on 7/20/14 at 3:27 pm to Traffic Circle
How original... Never expected a douche response in here
This post was edited on 7/20/14 at 3:30 pm
Posted on 7/20/14 at 3:35 pm to Stexas
Honestly, do you think if she screwed the clients she would get the work? I think the answer is yes.
How many do you think are willing to do it? I say a lot.
I know it's your wife, so it's personal, and you are offended, but set that aside for a moment and you can see my point.
How many do you think are willing to do it? I say a lot.
I know it's your wife, so it's personal, and you are offended, but set that aside for a moment and you can see my point.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 3:58 pm to Traffic Circle
I don't think you are too familiar with real estate closings. Most closings are couples, not some hard leg internet dweeb that posts on TD more than 2000 times in less than a year.
Nice try job in trying to rustle my jimmies however.
Nice try job in trying to rustle my jimmies however.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 4:07 pm to hollywoodlsu
quote:
hollywoodlsu
Summed it up perfectly.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 4:07 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
quote:
OT lawyers
Poor
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