The awful truth about my first real estate closing
It was summer of 1991. The sun beat down on my un-airconditioned car as I composed myself. After four years as a trial lawyer, I was walking blindly into my first real estate closing.
My boss gave me no notice. No briefing. No training. The ‘file’ was a crumpled copy of the purchase contract that he tossed at me as he said, “This is the buyer’s first home and the most important thing in his life right now. He is also my car mechanic. That makes it important to me too.”
Sure, I studied real estate in law school, but that was four years earlier.As a junior litigator, my days were filled with depositions, court calls, and trials. When I protested, he waived me off like so many times before, and said, “Just find Seymour at the bank, and DON’T SCREW IT UP!” Nervously, I read and re-read the contract then headed out for the suburbs.
It was intimidating. I was there to be the buyer’s protector and guide for the largest transaction of his lifetime. In reality, I was nervous and unprepared, yet 100% determined to do my best. So, I got out of my car, buttoned my suit jacket, and walked into the bank.
Seymour, the bank officer, was waiting for me at the front desk. He took me to a conference room, and introduced the seller’s lawyer, the title agent, and finally my client, Javier, who was visibly relieved to see me.
Mercifully, Seymour took the lead, “Mr. Wasserman, would you like to sit next to your client?” Me, “Why yes. Yes, I would.” There was an awkward silence until Seymour asked, “Mr. Wasserman, would you like to review the loan agreement and have Javier sign it?” Me, “Why yes. Yes, I would.” And so it went: Seymour prompted me, and I sped-read each document before asking Javier to sign. It only lasted 40 minutes but seemed to go on for hours.
Finally, the deal was closed, and everyone got up to congratulate each other. When I handed Javier the keys to his first house, he smiled broadly and gave me the most heartfelt hug of my career. Sure, it went well, but I still felt like a fraud.
That first closing taught me two lifelong lessons. First, I swore I would never put my clients in that position again. I did not want to work for a law firm that sent an unprepared, untrained lawyer to represent a client.
Second, I liked real estate law! After four years of grinding out court cases, I enjoyed helping someone fulfill their dream of homeownership. After seven years of studying and four years of lawyering, I'd finally found my calling.
That first closing sticks with me to this day. It's exactly why my firm is so committed to educating and guiding clients—and providing the highest level of service.
Today, our lawyers focus exclusively on real estate law, so we know the landscape and its pitfalls.
Our team is well-trained, organized, and good at what they do. Together we provide tools and information to help buyers, sellers—and even brokers—make well-informed decisions. We listen. We advise. We work collaboratively to protect clients’ interests.
Each time I encounter a new lawyer taking a stab at their first closing, I can’t help but smile. I remember how awful I felt that first time. Yet, I am eternally thankful for all the things it taught me.
My boss gave me no notice. No briefing. No training. The ‘file’ was a crumpled copy of the purchase contract that he tossed at me as he said, “This is the buyer’s first home and the most important thing in his life right now. He is also my car mechanic. That makes it important to me too.”
Sure, I studied real estate in law school, but that was four years earlier.As a junior litigator, my days were filled with depositions, court calls, and trials. When I protested, he waived me off like so many times before, and said, “Just find Seymour at the bank, and DON’T SCREW IT UP!” Nervously, I read and re-read the contract then headed out for the suburbs.
It was intimidating. I was there to be the buyer’s protector and guide for the largest transaction of his lifetime. In reality, I was nervous and unprepared, yet 100% determined to do my best. So, I got out of my car, buttoned my suit jacket, and walked into the bank.
Seymour, the bank officer, was waiting for me at the front desk. He took me to a conference room, and introduced the seller’s lawyer, the title agent, and finally my client, Javier, who was visibly relieved to see me.
Mercifully, Seymour took the lead, “Mr. Wasserman, would you like to sit next to your client?” Me, “Why yes. Yes, I would.” There was an awkward silence until Seymour asked, “Mr. Wasserman, would you like to review the loan agreement and have Javier sign it?” Me, “Why yes. Yes, I would.” And so it went: Seymour prompted me, and I sped-read each document before asking Javier to sign. It only lasted 40 minutes but seemed to go on for hours.
Finally, the deal was closed, and everyone got up to congratulate each other. When I handed Javier the keys to his first house, he smiled broadly and gave me the most heartfelt hug of my career. Sure, it went well, but I still felt like a fraud.
That first closing taught me two lifelong lessons. First, I swore I would never put my clients in that position again. I did not want to work for a law firm that sent an unprepared, untrained lawyer to represent a client.
Second, I liked real estate law! After four years of grinding out court cases, I enjoyed helping someone fulfill their dream of homeownership. After seven years of studying and four years of lawyering, I'd finally found my calling.
That first closing sticks with me to this day. It's exactly why my firm is so committed to educating and guiding clients—and providing the highest level of service.
Today, our lawyers focus exclusively on real estate law, so we know the landscape and its pitfalls.
Our team is well-trained, organized, and good at what they do. Together we provide tools and information to help buyers, sellers—and even brokers—make well-informed decisions. We listen. We advise. We work collaboratively to protect clients’ interests.
Each time I encounter a new lawyer taking a stab at their first closing, I can’t help but smile. I remember how awful I felt that first time. Yet, I am eternally thankful for all the things it taught me.
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