Just like all services, you get what you pay for when it comes to legal services. A typical real estate attorney would charge anywhere from $500-$600 for a routine residential transaction. If you are a first time home buyer and need a lot of guidance and advice, interview a couple of attorneys to get a feel for their personality and their willingness to spend time on your matter. Shopping around for the cheapest attorney may not always yield the best result because an attorney who is charging below market rate may have no incentive to spend time on you and your matter prior to the closing date if you are not compensating them appropriately. Often times, purchasing a home is the single most important and expensive purchase of your lifetime. Do not cheat yourself out of the proper guidance and advice you deserve from a qualified attorney!