Quote:
Originally Posted by SHO
I would always recommend using your own lawyer. Although the terms of the contracts might be OK... developers contracts are very much 1 sided! It is YOUR lawyers job to make them fairer.
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Good question.
Why does anyone need a contract anyway !
The sheer fact that we EXPECT a contract means that there is already a lack of trust between the two partries. The point is really just how much do we trust each other. For this type of contract there has to be doubt on both sides since there is no personal background on which to develop any trust.
The actual words in any contract have to be fair to both parties.
If you are competent to read English (note ALL contracts are in English, or dual language not just with big developers), YOU can decide if you need a lawyer to change the terms.
Any sensible developer will change a contract to suit a buyer if there is sufficient incentive so to do. The bigger developers have lots of reason NOT to do this, even if you use a lawyer.
The most important reason to use a lawyer is to prove that what you think you are buying is actually owned buy the other party to the contract, and that there is a reasonable belief that your property will be delivered, as specified. This is where a lawyer acting soley for you is most appropriate if the information is difficult to find, or you have some doubts. If the information has already been freely given by the developer (deeds to the land, building license etc), then you are simply spending money to give yourself "piece of mind", and we all need that when spending lots of money.
Another option that my owner are using is to find ONE lawyer that all owners use (not linked to the developer), this should make everything very simple and inexpensive. NO brainer really - but the developer has to co-operate and give you at least ONE other owners name. We have an Owners Club already so everyone knows each other and have chosen to co-operate, and even give help to potential new owners.
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