Do You Need a Lawyer to Buy a Home in Michigan?

Craig Fiederlein

Michigan law does not require you to hire an attorney to buy a home. Many closings are handled by real estate agents and title companies. But “not required” doesn’t mean “not helpful,” especially when you’re making one of the largest purchases of your life.

 

What Agents and Title Companies Do

Your real estate agent helps you find a home and negotiate a price. The title company researches the property’s ownership history, issues title insurance, and handles the closing. Both play important roles, but neither represents your legal interests the way an attorney does.

 

How a Real Estate Lawyer Helps

A real estate attorney can:

  • Review the purchase agreement before you sign, so you understand your obligations and deadlines
  • Explain contingencies for inspection, financing, and appraisal, and how to protect your deposit
  • Review the title commitment for liens, easements, or other issues that could affect your ownership
  • Spot problems with disclosures, including issues the seller should have revealed
  • Answer questions at closing about documents you’re asked to sign

 

When a Lawyer Is Especially Important

Consider hiring an attorney if you are:

  • Buying a home without a real estate agent (for sale by owner)
  • Buying through a land contract
  • Purchasing a property with title problems, unpaid taxes, or liens
  • Buying property from an estate or in a foreclosure
  • Purchasing land with unclear boundaries or shared driveways
  • Buying a property with family members or business partners

 

The Cost of Skipping Legal Advice

Fixing a problem after closing is almost always harder and more expensive than preventing it. A short legal review before you sign can save you from costly surprises down the road.

If you’re buying a home in Flint or anywhere in Genesee County, call CF Legal at 810-232-1112 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

About The Author

Craig R. Fiederlein | Attorney

Smiling man in a blue suit and tie outdoors, with a blurred background.

Craig R. Fiederlein has spent more than three decades practicing law in Genesee County — long enough to know the courts, the process, and the people who matter inside them. He co-founded what was then Christensen & Fiederlein PC, building a firm that became one of the region's most recognized names in probate and estate law. His former law partner is now a sitting judge in Genesee County. That kind of history isn't a footnote — it reflects the depth of standing Craig and this firm have earned over a long career in this community.


Craig's practice centers on probate administration, estate planning, elder law, real estate, and business law. Whether a family is navigating a contested estate, an aging parent needs a Medicaid-compliant plan, or a property owner needs sound legal counsel on a transaction, Craig brings the kind of experience that only comes from doing this work, in this county, for a very long time.