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Flat-Fee Real Estate Attorney in California

Commission-Free Counsel for Real Estate Transactions

Buy or Sell Property Without an Agent
and Avoid Paying Commissions

1

Real estate agents generally take commission.
We take a flat fee.

Commission-Free Counsel provides flat-fee legal representation for California buyers and sellers who want professional oversight — without traditional percentage-based realtor commissions.

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Instead of paying up to 5–6% of a property’s value, buyers and sellers receive direct attorney guidance, contract review, negotiation support, and closing coordination for a transparent flat fee.

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For many transactions, that can mean significant savings — while maintaining legal protection from offer to closing.

2

What We Do

As your legal counsel, we provide sophisticated transactional guidance, including:

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  • Drafting or reviewing purchase agreements

  • Structuring contingencies and timelines

  • Identifying legal risks before signing

  • Negotiation support

  • Disclosure guidance

  • Coordination with escrow and title companies

  • Amendment and addendum drafting

  • Issue resolution during escrow

  • Closing review

3

Why it Matters

Buying or selling a home is often the largest financial transaction a person will ever make. Decisions made in the contract can have serious legal and financial consequences, so it is important that the agreement is carefully reviewed before you sign.

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Mistakes or unclear terms can lead to disputes, delays, or costly problems after closing for years - potentially tying-up your money.

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Our role is to protect your interests — not just process forms. We are trained to identify risks, explain your obligations, and structure the agreement to safeguard you if issues arise.

4

How it Helps You

Less commission paid means more money for you.

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For example, let's say a house costs $1,000,000. A 5% total commission would equal $50,000. 

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As Seller: If you retain Tuchman Law, APC on a flat fee basis, we would charge a fraction of the $50,000. 

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As Buyer: Buyer may be able to negotiate a lower purchase price because Seller would have to pay less commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I sell my house without a realtor in California?
A: Yes. California law does not require a seller to use a real estate broker. Many sellers choose to sell directly to a buyer (often called “For Sale By Owner” or FSBO) and retain an attorney for legal review, contract drafting, and transaction support.​

Commission-Free Counsel is designed for sellers who want professional legal oversight without paying a percentage-based broker commission.
Q: Can an attorney replace a real estate agent on an ongoing deal?
A: Yes.
Q: What does an attorney do in a real estate transaction?
A: An attorney can draft or review the purchase agreement, advise on contingencies, evaluate disclosures, review inspection reports, coordinate with escrow and title companies, negotiate terms, and help resolve issues that arise before and after closing.
Q: Can an attorney help with inspection issues and repair negotiations?
A: Yes. Inspection reports often raise technical issues that affect legal risk and negotiating leverage. An attorney can help structure repair requests, credits, or contingencies and ensure any agreed changes are properly documented.
Q: Do lenders require a realtor?
A: Generally, no. Lenders typically require proper documentation, escrow, and title procedures — not a broker. An attorney can help ensure that contracts and transaction documents are properly structured.
Q: How is an attorney different from a real estate agent?
A: Real estate agents typically focus on marketing property, locating buyers, and facilitating the transaction. Attorneys provide legal advice, interpret contracts, identify risks, and can customize documents to address specific concerns.
Q: Can an attorney help if a purchase agreement has already been signed?
A: Often, yes. Legal counsel can review the existing agreement, explain your obligations, assess potential risks, and advise on available options before closing. Prompt review is important because many deadlines and rights are time-sensitive.
Q: When should I contact an attorney — before or after signing an agreement?
A: Ideally, before signing. Early legal review can identify risks and ensure appropriate protections are included in the contract. However, assistance may still be valuable after signing, particularly if issues arise during the inspection period.
Q: Is this model right for every transaction?
A: No. Get a quote from Tuchman Law, APC to see if a flat-fee structure is right for your deal!
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