The Law IS an ass!

[Charlie]

honestly - why can't lawyers apply common sense to a decision, rather than the letter of the law? the spirit of the law is more important than the letter...

Also, why are house sales transactions conduscted with a series of back and forward amendments between lawyers - Lawyer A "I agree to everything you say except points 2, 7, 23 and 37" Lawyer B "I agree to you amendments to my points 2,7,23 and 37, but would wish to change your point 2" - why can't the two sides sit down and just agree in one go. Do they string it out to generate fees - house transations are not complicated. Some say they're just suited conmen (not me though).

[Annie]

You would have to elaborate on what your "points" are for anyone to give a decent comment here!

[Beachcomber]

honestly - why can't lawyers apply common sense to a decision, rather than the letter of the law? the spirit of the law is more important than the letter...

Because that's how they justify their outrageous charges. A lawyer friend of mine admitted that it only really takes, in total, about an hour or two to buy or sell a house once. The rest of the time is taken up with 'padding' - writing to clients, waiting for searches, and quibbling over inconsequentialities.

[gizmo]

There are certain things best left unsaid on a public forum.... Admitting to being friendly with a lawyer is probably up there with the list toppers... Gary I am black affronted for you.... SHAME!

[Beachcomber]

It's worse than that, he's also a barrister.

I like to think I was just doing my bit for 'Care in the Community', befriending a wayward soul and guiding him back towards the straight and narrow, you know?

[Sweltered]

Too late Gary....It's a bit like being seen wearing an anorak

[Annie]

Back to the topic there boys!

There is much more to buying/selling a house than just haggling for the price of the darn thing.

For example:

Home inspection
Surveying property lines
Environmental studies for some regions
If the sellers have a mortgage, you have to get a mortgage payoff
The mortgage company also has to release the seller from their mortgage
The buyer's lawyer has to make sure there are no liens or judgments held against the property
The new buyers have to acquire financing
Clear title has to be confirmed before the sale of the property
All property taxes have to be paid by the seller up to the date of the closing
A new deed has to be prepared and filed with the local court.
A balance sheet has to be prepared to show where the funds came in and went out and to whom!

I could go on and on and on and on and on ... but I guess you get the jist of things by now!

Have a nice day!

[Pete Reek]

Ah think you must be wan o them bannisters that sumbdy wuz writin aboot earlier Annie, cos yir ferr defendin the lads an lassies that rake in the big bucks.

Ahv got a hoose tae sell!

Ahm wantin it. Hoot kinna loot ur yi efter for it?

Oh, aboot £??

Ahll gee £?? cos yir wundas ur crap an ah wid need new yins!

Ahll tell yi hoot, split the difference an yiv got a deal.

Done!

Yi wurr.

[general jack o'niell]

if your not happy with the service you have the right to go elsewhere, i could recommend a brilliantly run, very professional business that provide an excellent service should you be selling or buying, you have to remember that buyers from south of the border usually get confused by the scottish "offers over " system, tho theres less gazumping up here, what with closing dates and sealed bids.

if its the best in the business your after? i'm married to her!!!!

[Annie]

Gawn yersel' General!

What I was saying WAS that a real estate closing is a real big pain in the you-know-what. It is no longer a handshake kinda deal! That is all!

AND, in case anyone was wondering, YES, I do work for a lawyer and have worked in the legal field for the last 20 odd years.

[general jack o'niell]

my better half recently celebrated 25yrs with the same firm, yes, she really did start working there when she was three years old!!!!

if you want to buy?, go to her, if you want to sell? go to her, you know it makes sense!!!

[Annie]

After 20 plus years at the same ol' ae ol' ye jeest have tae be the best at it or ye wunna hae a job!
Congrats to the missus on the 25th!

[general jack o'niell]

keep telling her she should be a partner, but thats men for you, not me, them!!!

[Annie]

Well, she is probably running the place by now. So why not?

[general jack o'niell]

as of the last week, yes