Many people consider real estate attorneys only necessary for large purchases or commercial real estate investment. A house is typically the largest purchase a person or family will ever make, so getting the best deal and legal counsel is very important there as well.

Ask how much experience your real estate attorney has and what firms or partnerships have they worked for or with. Don't be afraid to check references and at least phone the Bar Association and confirm they are in good standing.

Avoid real estate services that don't clearly indicate if you are being represented by an attorney or if they are just preparing the paperwork for you. These services may be almost as expensive as a legal firm but they cannot provide representation nor can they practice law.