FEES

At the Law Office of Craig Blackmon PLLC we offer several different fee arrangements.  Whenever possible, we offer a flat fee so that our client pays a set amount, regardless of how much time we spend on the matter.  A portion of the flat fee is due when you retain us and the balance is billed at the end of the following month.    Some matters, however, are too complicated or too uncertain for us to charge a flat fee, such as matters involving or likely to involve litigation.   We typically handle these matters on an hourly basis.  See below for more information on hourly billing and contingency fee agreements.

PURCHASE & SALE TRANSACTIONS

Our “Top 10” services in a typical purchase and sale transaction are listed below. If a service you want isn’t mentioned, please contact us as it might be something we already offer at no additional charge or could offer for a modest fee.

  1. Top notch customer service - we answer our phones and return calls and emails promptly;
  2. Negotiating offers and counteroffers on our client’s behalf;
  3. Drafting offers and reviewing counteroffers;
  4. Advising our clients on their legal obligations and the overall purchase and sale process;
  5. Advising our seller-clients on effective marketing strategies;
  6. Advising our buyer-clients on loan selection and financing issues;
  7. Analysis regarding the other side’s ability to perform its contractual obligations;
  8. Monitoring contingencies and analysis of their satisfaction;
  9. Review and analysis of the title commitment and, if possible, correction of title defects via negotiation with the seller and title company;  and
  10. Review, analysis, and, if necessary, revisions of closing documents in advance of our client’s closing appointment.

 

Please note that our flat fees do not include litigation or resolving legal disputes between our client and the party on the other side of the transaction.   Disputes like this fall outside the scope of our flat fee representation.  In these circumstances, the client will usually need to sign a new fee agreement that allows for hourly billing.

BUYERS

BUYERS of a home offered “For Sale By Owner” (not listed on the MLS)               $895

BUYERS of a home listed on the MLS                                                                  $1,395

This fee includes our standard $895 flat fee plus $500 payable to our affiliated real estate brokerage, Washington Lawyers Realty LLC (“WaLaw Realty”).    By using WaLaw Realty as your limited service real estate brokerage, you allow us to also act as your real estate agent, which in turn allows us to refund the buyer's agent's commission back to you (typically 3% of the purchase price).

BUYERS or SELLERS WHO ALSO HAVE A REAL ESTATE AGENT                                $695

We often represent clients who have a real estate agent but would like to also have an attorney on board to review all of the paperwork from the offer/counteroffer stage all the way through closing (and for sellers, we’ll also review the agent’s MLS Listing Agreement – you want this review BEFORE you sign with the agent).   For these clients we charge a reduced fee that reflects the fact that while our representation includes legal advice throughout the transaction , it is limited in that we will review documents prepared by the client’s agent (rather than us preparing the documents).

BUYERS  purchasing a SHORT SALE or REO                                          additional  $250

Increasingly popular these days are “short sales” and “REOs.”  For buyers, these types of homes present great opportunities to get a bargain.  For sellers, short sales may be the only way to get out from underneath an upside down mortgage.  These transactions require considerably more work so we charge an additional fee to clients buying a short sale or an REO.

SHORT SALE / DISTRESSED HOME CONSULT                                                         $300

For clients using an agent to buy a short sale or a distressed home, the agent will often encourage or require them to consult an attorney about the legal ramifications of buying such a home.  We offer a $300 consultation in which we will meet with you to review the proposed transaction and related documents and counsel you as to the risks and benefits of proceeding.

SELLERS

SELLERS - “For Sale By Owner"                                                                             $895

SELLERS  - Flat Fee MLS             *** Coming Soon***                                   $1,395

This fee includes our standard $895 flat fee plus $500 payable to our affiliated real estate brokerage, Washington Lawyers Realty, LLC.  In exchange for this additional $500, our seller clients receive:

SELLERS – Short Sale                 *** Coming Soon***                      $500 up front;

                                                                           2.5% at closing (with refund of $500)

We are happy to help Sellers faced with the need to sell a home which is worth less than what they owe the bank.   In collaboration with our affiliated company, Washington Lawyers Realty, we can list your home on the MLS and advise you through the short sale process.  We charge a non-refundable $500 up front fee and 1% of the property’s sale price at closing.  This 1% commission is only payable if the transaction closes successfully.  If the transaction fails to close for any reason, then the 1% commission is waived.

PURCHASE & SALE BETWEEN CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS                             $1,495

Where a property is owned free and clear of any mortgage and is being sold with seller financing (typically from one family member to another), we will represent both the seller and the buyer and act as escrow for the transaction.  We provide this service for a flat fee of $1,495.  When we provide this service, we do not take steps to protect the interests of either party or provide specific legal counsel--the parties must protect themselves.

LEASES

LEASE WITH OPTION TO BUY & SELLER FINANCING                                   $1,195

We represent buyers or sellers interested in entering into a lease with an option to purchase as well as seller-financed transaction (typically the seller carries a note and deed of trust on the property).  In either case, we do so for a flat fee of $1,195 billed in one-third increments.   If our client is buying a home listed on the MLS and wants to offer seller financing terms and have the selling commission rebated at closing, we will work in collaboration with our limited service brokerage, Washington Lawyers Realty, LLC at an additional charge of $500.

EASEMENTS, LANDLORD-TENANT, & OTHER REAL PROPERTY MATTERS

We are happy to assist clients by drafting easements, leases and many other types of legal documents that affect interests in real property.  We typically provide these services on a flat fee basis.  Please contact us with the details of what you need and we will determine an appropriate flat fee.

LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION   (HOURLY BILLING)

We represent both plaintiffs and defendants in matters involving litigation or dispute resolution.  Whenever possible we seek to avoid lengthy and expensive trials.  However, we are ready, willing, and able to litigate a case to the fullest extent of the law to protect and promote our client’s interests.

Our clients typically deposit a retainer into our trust account and we bill by the hour. on a monthly basis.  Costs incurred during the representation will also be billed to the client either monthly or at the conclusion of the representation.

CONTINGENCY FEE

On occasion we represent clients on a contingency fee basis.  This means we do not bill our clients at the outset or during their litigation.  Instead we receive a percentage of the recovery if the lawsuit is successful or a settlement is reached.  Please contact Craig to discuss a fee arrangement for your particular situation.