There are a million different things that can go wrong, they warn. The owners had illegally encroached on wetland area, and the town wanted them to pay for their actions. They learned indirectly about the problem when they bumped into a town attorney on a routine visit prior to closing. It's important to get a good one with specialized expertise in residential real estate. A competent attorney will carefully review the contract, note potential problems and work out the legal details with the seller's attorney.
Personal references are the best.
Call the Bar Association in the county where you live for a referral.