If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, you should hire an attorney to assist you in the process. This belief is held by many: the federal government; the American Bar Association; various state bar associations, such as Washington, Illinois, and New York; and various others, including lenders, other legal resources, and other informative pages on the web. At least one newspaper has concluded that you should not “cut corners” in this regard, as “neglecting to get advice from an attorney or other knowledgable person will cost you money, not save it.” Ironically, it is common for every party involved in a real estate transaction (the lender, the escrow agent, the real estate agents and their brokers, the title company, etc.) to have an attorney, except the buyer and seller.