<![CDATA[CORY A. LEVINE, ATTORNEY AT LAW - Blog- Real Estate, Probate & Wills and Business Law]]>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 21:52:58 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[10 Factors & Standards to Consider When​ Choosing a Real Estate Attorney]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:27:34 GMThttps://www.corylevine.com/blog--real-estate-probate--wills-and-business-law/10-factors-to-consider-when-choosing-a-real-estate-attorneyA smooth real estate closing depends heavily on the attorney you choose. Unexpected issues frequently come up during a closing so you need the right lawyer to protect your investment.​   

​You should retain a Real Estate Attorney who:​

1. Performs Work Promptly

A good Real Estate Attorney will help prevent delays. You may lose a transaction if contracts are not prepared or reviewed quickly.
  • ​Minimum Standard: Contracts are prepared or reviewed within 3 business days.
  • Better Standard: Contracts are prepared or reviewed within 1 business day. 

2. Is Heavily Experienced in Real Estate

An experienced local attorney knows how to protect your interests and proactively create solutions to title or structural issues.
  • Minimum Standard: Experienced in 1,000+ local real estate closings.
  • Better Standard: Experienced in 5,000+ local real estate closings.

3. Is Focused on Transactions, Not Litigation

​A good "transactional" attorney focuses entirely on amicable, efficient solutions. Avoid attorneys who primarily handle litigation, as they may approach a standard closing too aggressively.
  • Minimum Standard: Practice is partially split between real estate and other matters.
  • Better Standard: Practice is mostly focused on real estate and transactional law.

4. Is Intimately Familiar with the Area

​A local attorney has a deep understanding of regional building department practices, municipal nuances, and local title customs.
  • Minimum Standard: Attorney has some local knowledge.
  • Better Standard: Attorney has significant local knowledge.

5. Communicates Seamlessly with Agents & Lenders

​A real estate transaction requires teamwork. A great attorney works effectively alongside your real estate agent and mortgage professional to save you time and administrative headaches. 
  • Minimum Standard: Attorney only communicates when an adversarial issue or delay arises.
  • Better Standard: Attorney provides clear communication and is open to communication from the entire closing team.

6. Orders a Title Search Immediately & from a Local Title Company

Many non-local attorneys use generic national title companies. A local title company understands regional property boundaries and resolves historical discrepancies much faster.
  • Minimum Standard: Title is ordered from a title company within 1 week of fully executed contracts.
  • Better Standard: Title is ordered from a local title company immediately upon contract execution. 

7. Understands Lenders

An attorney who frequently represents mortgage lenders can look ahead, avoid unnecessary "red flags" in your contract, and streamline the bank's underwriting approval.
  • Minimum Standard: Attorney works with lenders.
  • Better Standard: Attorney actively represents lenders. 

8. Has a Dedicated & Structured Office Staff

Avoid understaffed practices where client files stagnate because the lead attorney is acting as their own assistant or is away at a closing. Avoid offices where a lack of support staff means the lead attorney is too distracted by simple office tasks to promptly focus on your actual legal file​
  • Minimum Standard: At least one staff member is familiar with real estate.
  • Better Standard: At least one staff member is entirely dedicated to real estate operations. 

​9. Has Direct Primary Attorney Involvement

When you hire an experienced real estate attorney, that is exactly who should be doing your legal work.  Avoid firms where file negotiations are quietly passed down to less experienced junior associates or legal assistants, and the Attorney that you hired might not be at your closing.
  • Minimum Standard: Primary attorney is partially involved but relies heavily on staff for negotiations.
  • Better Standard: Primary attorney is the main contact, negotiates directly, and attends the closing. 

10. Encourages Questions & Communicates Openly

You shouldn't have to be a legal expert to buy or sell a home. The right practice treats your questions as productive steps toward a smooth transaction.
  • Minimum Standard: Questions are eventually answered or delegated.
  • Better Standard: Questions are answered promptly by email or phone.

The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C.

These are the benchmarks to help guarantee a seamless, protected closing, you shouldn't settle for minimum standards. The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C., is  specifically focused on these standards:
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Turnaround Time:  Prepares or reviews contracts within 1 business day or less to ensure you never lose a transaction to administrative delays.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Local Experience: Has performed 10,000+ successful real estate closings right here in our local communities.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Real Estate Focus: Is strictly dedicated to real estate and transactional law and not litigation
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Hudson Valley Roots: Is intimately familiar with the nuances and customs specific to Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess counties.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Proactive Teamwork: Maintains open communication with your Real Estate Agent and Mortgage Lender to eliminate administrative friction.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Immediate Title Initiation: Orders a Title Search from trusted local title companies immediately upon contract execution to catch and resolve discrepancies early.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Lender-Side Expertise: Proudly represents many prominent mortgage lenders, giving us a unique, inside look at Lender requirements helping to prevent financing roadblocks.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Specialized Support Staff:  Entire office staff is completely dedicated to real estate files. Cory A. Levine, P.C. has 2 legal assistants who efficiently manage typical administrative logistics so files get prompt and undivided attention.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C. Direct Attorney Involvement: Cory A. Levine, Esq. remains your primary contact, negotiates your contracts directly, and personally attends your closing. Your file is never passed off to an unqualified assistant or a junior associate.
  • The Law Office of Cory A. Levine, P.C., Open Communication: Highly encourages questions and answers promptly. Our entire team maintains synchronized access to every active file, ensuring you always get real-time answers when you need them.
]]><![CDATA[Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Home Inspections: 4 Things a Buyer Must Know]]>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:24:52 GMThttps://www.corylevine.com/blog--real-estate-probate--wills-and-business-law/westchester-putnam-home-inspection-tips​Buying real estate in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties is a major investment. The home inspection is your primary opportunity to 'look under the hood' before you are in contract. While your real estate attorney handles the contract, the inspector ensures the physical structure matches your expectations

Should You Attend Your Home Inspection?

​We highly recommend that you attend. It’s your chance to walk the property with a professional who can point out maintenance tips and explain the difference between a minor repair and a structural 'deal-breaker.' If you can't be there for the whole thing, try to arrive for the final hour for a summary.

What to Look for Beyond the Structure

In Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, a standard inspection covers the basics, but you should also consider:
  • Radon Testing: Common in Putnam, Westchester and Dutchess County. High radon levels are common in the rocky terrain of the Hudson Valley
  • Termite Inspections: Often required by your lender.
  • Water & Septic Testing: Essential if the home isn't on town services.
  • Mold & Moisture: Given our climate, checking basements and attics for mold is vital for your family's health

Does "Caveat Emptor" Typically Apply in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties

New York is a 'Caveat Emptor' state. Once the Contracts are signed by you and the Seller, you are generally buying the house 'as-is.' A home inspection isn't just a physical check-up; it is your legal due diligence. If your inspector misses a structural issue now, you likely cannot sue the seller for it later. This is why we insist on a highly-rated, licensed professional rather than a 'handy' friend

Questions to Ask Before You Sign Contracts

As your real estate attorney, we want you to properly understand the property. Beyond the structural report, you should ask the Seller (and have your inspector verify) the following:
  • Underground Oil Tanks: Are there any currently in use, or—more importantly—any that were "abandoned" or filled with sand? An old, leaking tank is a significant environmental and financial liability in New York.
  • Permits for Improvements: Did the Seller finish the basement, add a deck, or renovate the kitchen? We need to verify that all work was done with proper municipal permits and that "Certificates of Occupancy" (C.O.s) were issued. Unpermitted work can delay your closing.
  • Age of Major Systems: How old is the roof, the boiler, and the central air unit? Knowing these are near the end of their "useful life" allows us to negotiate a credit or prepare you for upcoming expenses.
  • Water and Sewer History: If the home has a private septic system or well, when was it last pumped or tested? Ask for service records.
  • ​Active Warranties: "Are any major components—like the roof or the furnace—still under a manufacturer's warranty? If so, we want to ensure those warranties are legally transferable to you at closing."
  • Recent Insurance Claims: "Has the property had any significant insurance claims in the last 5 years (e.g., water damage, fire, or storm damage)? This could affect your ability to get affordable homeowners insurance."
Home inspections are just the first step. To know more about closings, visit our Real Estate Buyer FAQ page.
]]>