You’ve just had your offer accepted, congratulations.
It’s one of the most exciting moments in your home-buying journey. But before you pop the champagne, an important phase begins quietly behind the scenes: the attorney review process.
In New York City, your real estate attorney becomes your most critical advocate once your offer is accepted. While your agent manages communication and logistics, your attorney ensures that what you’re buying is exactly what you think it is, and that your investment is protected.
At Decode, we refer to this stage as “quiet due diligence,” where every detail is thoroughly reviewed and analyzed to safeguard your purchase.
1. Reviewing the Building Documents
Once your offer is accepted, the seller’s attorney provides your attorney with a package of building documents. These usually include:
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The offering plan and any amendments
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Two years of financial statements
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The current building budget
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House rules and bylaws
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Recent board meeting minutes
Your attorney reviews each document carefully, looking for potential red flags such as upcoming capital projects, special assessments, litigation, or signs of financial weakness within the building.
If something stands out, your attorney will explain what it means and help you decide whether it’s a dealbreaker, a negotiation point, or simply something to keep in mind.
2. Reviewing and Negotiating the Contract of Sale
Next comes the contract of sale, which outlines all the terms of your purchase.
Your NYC real estate attorney will:
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Review the contract line by line
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Add a rider with buyer protections
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Negotiate any terms that are not in your favor
Common rider protections include ensuring the apartment is delivered in broom-clean condition, confirming that appliances and fixtures are functioning properly, and clarifying flexibility around the closing date.
This back-and-forth typically happens quickly, but it’s one of the most essential steps in protecting your purchase both legally and financially.
3. Sending the Building Questionnaire
While reviewing documents and contracts, your attorney also sends a building questionnaire to the management company.
It might sound routine, but this step is critical. The management company must confirm key details about the building’s financial health, reserve funds, upcoming work, litigation, and the status of maintenance or assessments.
Because this form is manually completed, experienced NYC attorneys send it as early as possible to avoid closing delays. It’s one of those small details that keep the process running smoothly.
4. Why Your Agent’s Attorney Recommendation Matters
Not all attorneys are the same, and in NYC real estate, the attorney you choose can significantly affect your deal timeline.
A seasoned NYC real estate attorney knows how to read between the lines of building documents, anticipate co-op or condo board issues, and collaborate efficiently with your agent and lender.
At Decode, we’ve worked with many attorneys and know which ones communicate clearly, move efficiently, and protect buyers without adding unnecessary friction.
When you trust your agent’s recommendation, you gain a legal partner who’s not only protecting your interests but also helping you get to the closing table with confidence.
5. Keeping You Informed Every Step of the Way
Throughout the process, your attorney works closely with your agent to keep everything on track.
Once the contract is fully executed and both parties have signed, your attorney:
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Holds your deposit in escrow
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Tracks key dates and deadlines
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Coordinates with your lender, title company, and the seller’s attorney
At this point, your home search shifts from an emotional to an analytical approach. Having the right legal partner ensures that your excitement stays intact as you move toward closing.
Decode Takeaway
Your attorney’s review isn’t just a formality. It’s your first layer of protection as a homeowner in New York City.
When you trust your agent to connect you with the right attorney, you gain a team that’s aligned, responsive, and focused on helping you close smoothly and confidently.
Buying in NYC? Decode the process with us.
Schedule a consultation with Decode NYC.
