New Jersey Real Estate Attorney for Monmouth and Ocean County

Any time you are buying or selling a property, you will want to protect your legal and financial interests by hiring a real estate attorney. At Bronzino Law Firm, we provide personal attention and quick responses in real estate transactions. We are familiar with the complexities and pitfalls a real estate transaction can present, and we can help you move through your purchase or sale with confidence.

When you hire Bronzino Law Firm, we become part of your team. We work closely with your realtor and mortgage broker to review important contracts, address issues that come up during the property inspection, carefully review the title, and be at your side at the closing table. Our office is in Manasquan, and we serve buyers and sellers throughout Monmouth County and Ocean County, including Point Pleasant, Toms River, and Manchester.

Real Estate Matters We Handle

• Real estate closings: Preparing for closing, reviewing the documents, and attending with you.
• For-sale-by-owner transactions: Guidance for sellers who are not working with a listing agent.
• Commercial real estate: Help with the purchase or sale of commercial property.
• Shore homes: Issues specific to buying or selling a beach house in New Jersey.
• 55+ communities: Purchases and sales in age-restricted communities.
• Selling a property after an owner’s passing: Help when a home is sold as part of an estate.

The New Jersey Real Estate Process, Step by Step

The following are the general steps in a typical New Jersey home purchase or sale. The exact order and deadlines depend on your contract, and commercial transactions can work differently. Remember that the sooner you get your real estate attorney involved in the process, the better.

1. The contract is signed. The buyer and seller sign an initial contract, usually prepared by a real estate agent, and the buyer pays the initial deposit.
2. Attorney review begins. When a real estate licensee prepares the contract, each party has three business days to have an attorney review it. Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted, and the period runs from delivery of the signed contract to the buyer and seller.
3. Your attorney reviews the contract. If you have not contacted our office yet, now is the time to do so. During attorney review, your attorney can disapprove the contract or propose changes. The contract becomes legally binding at the end of the period unless an attorney disapproves it, so deadlines and notice requirements matter. If the parties cannot agree on proposed changes, the deal may end and the deposit is generally returned.
4. The property is inspected. Once the contract is final, the inspection period set in the contract begins. The buyer will likely hire a professional home or property inspector, who will look for things such as:
   • Wood-destroying insects such as termites or carpenter ants
   • Structural defects, including problems with the foundation, the roof, and structural supports
   • Problems with heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems
   • Whether major appliances function properly
   • Dangerous mold, contamination, or radon gas
   • Water potability and septic system integrity, if applicable
5. Inspection issues are negotiated. If the inspection reveals major issues, the buyer and seller will try to resolve them through their attorneys, either by negotiating a credit or price change or by requiring repairs before closing. If they cannot agree, the contract may allow the deal to be canceled and the deposit returned.
6. The buyer secures financing. If the buyer is financing the purchase, the contract usually sets a deadline to obtain a mortgage commitment. If the buyer cannot get approved, the contract may be canceled if it includes a mortgage contingency clause. This is one of the terms your attorney should review early.
7. Title and survey are reviewed. The buyer’s attorney reviews the title work to look for liens, restrictions, or other problems that might limit the normal use of the property, and addresses title insurance. A survey can confirm the lot’s size and dimensions and reveal issues with property lines or municipal ordinances.
8. The seller obtains required certifications. Before a one- or two-family home changes occupancy, the seller generally needs a certificate showing compliance with New Jersey’s smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, and portable fire extinguisher requirements.
9. The parties close. If everything is on track, the transaction moves to the real estate closing, also known as the settlement. The buyer’s attorney reviews the loan documents, and the seller’s attorney prepares the deed and affidavit of title. The buyer pays the agreed purchase price, the seller delivers the deed, and the transaction is complete.

Taxes, Fees, and Disclosures to Plan For

A few New Jersey rules can affect what you pay or what you must disclose, so it is best to raise them before closing:

• Closing costs: Sellers should budget for items such as the Realty Transfer Fee. See our guide to closing fees for New Jersey home sellers.
• Mansion tax: For deeds submitted on or after July 10, 2025, the graduated percent fee on transfers over $1 million is imposed on the seller rather than the buyer. The New Jersey Division of Taxation lists the current rates.
• Exit tax: Some nonresident sellers must make an estimated payment at closing. Our guide to the NJ exit tax explains who it affects, and our NJ exit tax calculator can give you an estimate.
• Flood disclosures: Since March 2024, New Jersey sellers must address flood risk on the seller’s disclosure statement, including flood zone status, flood insurance, and past flood damage.

New Jersey Real Estate FAQs

How long is attorney review in New Jersey?

Attorney review generally lasts three business days from delivery of the signed contract to the buyer and seller. Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted, and the parties can agree in writing to extend the period.

Is a real estate contract binding during attorney review?

Under the standard clause, the contract becomes legally binding at the end of the three-day period unless an attorney for the buyer or seller disapproves it. Notice must be given within that period and in the way the contract requires.

Does attorney review apply to every contract?

No. The attorney review clause applies to contracts prepared by real estate licensees. A contract prepared by an attorney may have different terms, so you should read it carefully and have your own attorney review it before signing.

Who pays the mansion tax in New Jersey?

For deeds submitted on or after July 10, 2025, the fee on transfers over $1 million is imposed on the seller. The parties should confirm how the contract handles it.

Does a seller need a smoke alarm certificate in New Jersey?

Generally, yes, for a one- or two-family home or attached single-family home. The owner applies through the local enforcing agency, and the certificate must also address carbon monoxide alarms and a portable fire extinguisher.

Contact a New Jersey Real Estate Attorney Today

As you can see, a great deal goes into the purchase or sale of a property. There are many points where something can go wrong, and having a real estate attorney protect your interests during the entire process can be of enormous value.

At Bronzino Law Firm, we understand that real estate transactions can be expensive, and we are sensitive to the financial needs of our clients. We are a small law firm, which allows us to offer personal service at a reasonable rate.

If you are buying or selling a home or commercial property in Monmouth or Ocean County, our Manasquan office is ready to help. To get started, please contact us online or call (732) 812-3102.