Select a lawyer as you'd select a real estate agent: seek competitive fees, excellent service, knowledge, approachability - in other words, value.
Involve your lawyer before you sign the Offer, which becomes a legal Agreement of Purchase and Sale once you and the seller sign it. Have your lawyer read the document carefully and review it with you. Once it's signed and accepted, your lawyer will order a series of searches from various municipal offices to ensure that the vendors haven't been sued, that they've paid all of their property taxes and water, electric and gas bills, and that there'll be no outstanding mortgages or liens on the property once you become the owner.
Your lawyer will also draft a series of closing documents and review the closing documents drafted by the vendor's lawyer.
