Closing Cost Disputes Attorney
A real estate transaction is a complicated process involving large sums of money and important decisions. Decisions made without proper research or professional consultation may lead to cost disputes before or after closing. To avoid or resolve closing cost disputes before they grow out of control, it is crucial that you work with a competent real estate attorney.
There are a couple of common real estate closing cost disputes: issues with the contract and failure to disclose property defects.
Contract Issues
When selling a property, sellers usually use standard forms to streamline the process. Real estate agents may add clauses to these contracts to ensure that individual circumstances are taken care of. However, these clauses may be open to varying interpretations by the parties involved and can lead to conflicts that may affect costs. Further, misrepresentation by a party could lead to problems with the agreement and property value.
If you are dealing with a contract situation affecting closing costs, contact Gillmore & Wilson, LLC, as soon as possible for help understanding the contract and what can be done to resolve the dispute.
Failure to Disclose Property Defects
Kansas law requires that all real estate sellers disclose any known defects or problems associated with their property.
However, a seller's missteps in preparing the home for sale may become an issue at closing. The cost of repairs, inspections, and cleaning may be included in closing costs. If the seller didn't disclose a defect that is later revealed, the buyer might be able to cancel the deal and get back their earnest money deposit. However, this is not always the case. The seller may retain the deposit if they can prove that they did not know about it or did not have control over it.
Also, unfortunately, sellers may try to knowingly withhold information about the home, downplay problems with it, or hide things that might be discovered during an inspection, all while attempting to retain market value or avoid the costs of repairs. This can cause buyers significant financial loss if they are not aware of such maneuvers by sellers.
However, having the skilled attorneys at Gillmore & Wilson, LLC on their side may help the buyer prove that the seller was aware of a defect and didn't disclose it. The seller can then be held liable for the cost of remedying the defect.
Real Estate Closing Cost Dispute Resolution in the Newton, Kansas
The real estate lawyers at Gillmore & Wilson, LLC, have a thorough understanding of property law in Kansas. We will provide you with advice and counsel throughout your purchase or sale—through the closing process and beyond. If a dispute arises regarding closing costs or any other matter, we will assist you in resolving the issue, even in the most complex cases.
Call us at (316) 283-1550 to discuss your dispute, or use our online contact form to send a message and set up a consultation.
We serve Newton, Hesston, Sedgwick, Halstead, Peabody, and the surrounding Kansas communities.