Contingency clause
A condition that must be met before the deal is fully locked in. Financing, inspection, and title contingencies are common examples. If a condition fails, what happens next should be crystal clear.
Real Estate Contract Resources
Resources, answers, and plain-English guidance from Equinox Estates Legal.
Need a quick steer on a purchase agreement, lease issue, or closing detail? Our guides and FAQs are built to help you spot the fine print before it becomes a problem. If your question is specific, send it over — what’s the point of guessing when a contract is on the line?
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers for everyday property deals.
Contracts can feel dense. They don’t have to stay that way. We’ve pulled together the questions we hear most often from buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants across New York. Still unsure about a clause? That’s exactly the moment to ask.
Typical review window
24-72 hrs
For a standard residential contract with complete paperwork.
Document focus
Clearer risks
We flag terms that shift cost, delay closing, or limit remedies.
What should I look for in a purchase agreement?
Start with price, deposit, inspection terms, financing contingencies, closing date, and default remedies. Then read the addenda. If a clause changes who pays for repairs or taxes, it can change the deal quickly. Why leave that to chance?
How long does contract review typically take?
Simple reviews can move fast when the draft is complete. More complex matters, like commercial deals with environmental language or tenant estoppels, take longer. We’ll tell you what’s holding things up and what isn’t.
What happens if the seller breaches the contract?
The remedy depends on the wording. Sometimes you can demand performance, sometimes a return of deposits, and sometimes damages. We assess the clause, the timeline, and the proof before recommending the next move.
Do I need an attorney for a commercial lease?
In practice, yes. Commercial leases often shift maintenance, insurance, assignment, and default obligations in ways that aren’t obvious at first glance. A quick review now can prevent a costly dispute later.
What is the attorney review period in New York?
It’s the short window after contract signing when each side’s lawyer can propose changes or cancel under the contract terms. Timing matters here. Miss it, and your leverage can change overnight.
Escrow and earnest money
Funds held by a neutral party while the transaction moves forward. Earnest money shows commitment; escrow protects both sides until closing. Small detail, big consequences if the release terms are vague.
Title insurance
Coverage that helps protect against certain title defects, liens, or ownership disputes. It’s part safety net, part peace of mind. Would you want to discover a hidden issue after closing?
Closing disclosure
A final summary of settlement charges, credits, and cash needed at closing. Review every line. One wrong number can shift the entire handover.
Key Real Estate Contract Terms
The language that drives the transaction.
When the wording is tight, the deal usually runs more smoothly. When it isn’t, disputes start breathing down the schedule. Our glossary keeps the essentials close at hand, so you can spot the moving parts fast.
Quick tip
Read the definitions before you sign, not after. It sounds simple, but that one habit catches a surprising number of issues.
Latest Insights
Short reads with practical takeaways.
Attorney review
Navigating Attorney Review Periods in NY
A review period can make or break your leverage. We break down the timing, the exceptions, and the mistakes that usually catch people off guard.
Commercial lease
Commercial Lease Red Flags to Avoid
From repair obligations to assignment limits, the red flags are often hiding in plain sight. A careful read now can prevent a lease headache later.
Deal breakdown
What Happens When a Sale Falls Through
Deposits, deadlines, and remedies all come into focus when a transaction stalls. We explain the practical next steps, not just the legal theory.
Free Downloadable Guides
Keep the checklists close at hand.
We’ve packaged two practical guides for buyers and landlords who want a cleaner process. Download them, share them, or use them as a pre-signing sanity check. Why wait until closing week to find the missing line?
Homebuyer’s Contract Checklist
A focused guide for residential purchases, from inspection clauses to closing dates.
Commercial Lease Negotiation Basics
A practical starting point for assignment, renewal, and repair terms.
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Need a second opinion?
Bring us the clause you’re staring at.
A single sentence can change the economics of a deal. If something feels off, send it through and we’ll help you read it properly. That’s the difference between a tidy closing and a stressful one.