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In an effort to stem the tide of real estate flipping scams and predatory lending which are devastating Baltimore neighborhoods, Civil Justice Inc. has established the First Time Home Buyer Project. For an investment of approximately 4-5 hours, volunteer attorneys can assist first time home buyers in the complicated process of entering into a contract to purchase a home.
For a solo or small firm attorney starting out, assisting home buyers in a project like this can be an excellent first step toward building a law practice. New home owners over time are more likely to need additional legal services and in many instances they will turn first to the attorney who helped them with the purchase of their first home. It is anticipated that clients will and should have means to pay the attorney a reasonable fee for this additional help in drafting wills, negotiating contracts, family law matters, and other common day-to-day legal issues facing families and individuals.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTORNEY VOLUNTEERS?
Each volunteer lawyer must be a Maryland licensed and insured attorney who has been trained by Civil Justice or is experienced in representing buyers in residential real estate closings.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Civil Justice estimates that most First Time Home Buyer representation will take between 4-5 hours.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE CLOSING?
No. The free legal service would end when all contingencies have been removed and the contract of purchase is ready for closing. Buyers would receive instructions from the volunteer lawyer about the closing but the lawyers would not attend the actual closing. However, buyers wishing to have the attorney present at the closing can negotiate with the attorney for that service.
WHAT WILL I DO?
Depending on the needs of the home buyer, the lawyer representative will assist the buyer in reviewing the contract, loan applications, and disclosure documents associated with the home buying process. Lawyers in the program may be recruited to work with a first time home buyer's housing counseling agency as well.
If you would like more information about the program, please contact us.
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