Though you could use a real estate attorney in lieu of a real estate agent, it is not recommended. Like a real estate attorney has a thorough understanding of real estate law, a real estate agent is an expert of the real estate market. In New York, it is customary for real estate transactions to include both an agent and an attorney. With the two together, meeting all of the State requirements will become a seamless process for you. For example, New York does not require home sellers to hire home inspectors, even though defects are supposed to be completely disclosed. The responsibility falls on the buyer to get the inspections done when they are interested in a property. The buyer and the seller already have very different needs, so the agent and attorney customs helps move the process along while ensuring client satisfaction on both sides. Another quirk in New York law can be found in the offer and contracting rules. There are very stringent rules against binding oral contracts for property. It also has equally stringent rules for offers and contracts, where any written and signed offer could possibly create a valid contract. Without a lawyer and an agent present, navigating even the early negotiations would be a nightmare.