Real Estate Transaction Legal Fees Calculator
Navigate your real estate transaction with confidence by understanding attorney fees upfront. This calculator provides estimates for legal fees based on transaction type, property value, and services needed. From simple residential purchases to complex commercial deals, 1031 exchanges, and foreclosure purchases, get accurate fee estimates before engaging an attorney. Includes options for title services, contract negotiation, and closing representation.
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export function realEstateLegalFeesCalculator(form: FormTs) {
// Transaction types and base fees
const transactionTypes: Record<string, { baseFee: number, percentageBased: boolean, percentage?: number }> = {
'residential-purchase': { baseFee: 750, percentageBased: false },
'residential-sale': { baseFee: 650, percentageBased: false },
'refinance': { baseFee: 500, percentageBased: false },
'commercial-purchase': { baseFee: 2500, percentageBased: true, percentage: 0.003 },
'commercial-sale': { baseFee: 2000, percentageBased: true, percentage: 0.0025 },
'commercial-lease': { baseFee: 1500, percentageBased: false },
'investment-property': { baseFee: 1200, percentageBased: false },
'new-construction': { baseFee: 1000, percentageBased: false },
'short-sale': { baseFee: 1500, percentageBased: false },
'foreclosure': { baseFee: 1200, percentageBased: false },
'1031-exchange': { baseFee: 2000, percentageBased: false }
};
form.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header', {
computedValue: () => 'Real Estate Transaction Legal Fees Calculator',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '1.5rem', 'font-weight': '600', 'color': '#1e293b' }
});
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20 });
// Transaction Type Section
const transactionSection = form.addSubform('transaction', { title: '🏠 Transaction Details' });
transactionSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('type', {
label: 'Transaction Type',
options: [
{ id: 'residential-purchase', name: 'Residential Purchase' },
{ id: 'residential-sale', name: 'Residential Sale' },
{ id: 'refinance', name: 'Refinance' },
{ id: 'commercial-purchase', name: 'Commercial Purchase' },
{ id: 'commercial-sale', name: 'Commercial Sale' },
{ id: 'commercial-lease', name: 'Commercial Lease' },
{ id: 'investment-property', name: 'Investment Property' },
{ id: 'new-construction', name: 'New Construction' },
{ id: 'short-sale', name: 'Short Sale' },
{ id: 'foreclosure', name: 'Foreclosure Purchase' },
{ id: '1031-exchange', name: '1031 Exchange' }
],
defaultValue: 'residential-purchase',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('role', {
label: 'Your Role',
options: [
{ id: 'buyer', name: 'Buyer' },
{ id: 'seller', name: 'Seller' },
{ id: 'both', name: 'Both (Investment)' }
],
defaultValue: 'buyer',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
transactionSection.addRow(row => {
row.addMoney('propertyValue', {
label: 'Property Value / Purchase Price',
defaultValue: 350000,
min: 50000,
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('propertyType', {
label: 'Property Type',
options: [
{ id: 'single-family', name: 'Single Family Home' },
{ id: 'condo', name: 'Condo / Co-op' },
{ id: 'multi-family', name: 'Multi-Family (2-4 units)' },
{ id: 'apartment', name: 'Apartment Building' },
{ id: 'commercial', name: 'Commercial Property' },
{ id: 'land', name: 'Vacant Land' },
{ id: 'mixed-use', name: 'Mixed Use' }
],
defaultValue: 'single-family',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
// Location Section
const locationSection = form.addSubform('location', { title: '📍 Location & Complexity' });
locationSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('state', {
label: 'State',
options: [
{ id: 'attorney-required', name: 'Attorney Required State (NY, NJ, MA, CT, etc.)' },
{ id: 'attorney-optional', name: 'Attorney Optional State' },
{ id: 'escrow-state', name: 'Escrow State (CA, WA, etc.)' }
],
defaultValue: 'attorney-optional',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('complexity', {
label: 'Transaction Complexity',
options: [
{ id: 'simple', name: 'Simple / Standard' },
{ id: 'moderate', name: 'Moderate (+25%)' },
{ id: 'complex', name: 'Complex (+50%)' },
{ id: 'highly-complex', name: 'Highly Complex (+100%)' }
],
defaultValue: 'simple',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
locationSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('titleIssues', {
label: 'Potential Title Issues (+$500)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('zoningIssues', {
label: 'Zoning / Permit Review (+$400)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
// Services Section
const servicesSection = form.addSubform('services', { title: '📋 Legal Services' });
servicesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('contractReview', {
label: 'Contract Review & Negotiation (+$350)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('dueDiligence', {
label: 'Due Diligence Coordination (+$400)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
});
servicesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('titleSearch', {
label: 'Title Search & Examination (+$300)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('titleInsurance', {
label: 'Title Insurance Coordination (+$150)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
});
servicesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('closingAttendance', {
label: 'Closing Attendance (+$250)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('documentPrep', {
label: 'Document Preparation (+$200)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
});
servicesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('mortgageReview', {
label: 'Mortgage Document Review (+$250)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('escrowServices', {
label: 'Escrow Services (+$300)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
// Special Situations Section
const specialSection = form.addSubform('special', { title: '⚠️ Special Situations' });
specialSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('estateSale', {
label: 'Estate / Probate Sale (+$500)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('relocation', {
label: 'Relocation Package (+$300)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
specialSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('hoaReview', {
label: 'HOA Document Review (+$200)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('leaseReview', {
label: 'Existing Lease Review (+$350)',
defaultValue: false,
isVisible: () => {
const type = transactionSection.dropdown('type')?.value();
return ['investment-property', 'commercial-purchase', 'multi-family'].includes(type || '');
}
}, '1fr');
});
specialSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('entityFormation', {
label: 'Entity Formation (LLC) (+$600)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('negotiationSupport', {
label: 'Extended Negotiation Support (+$500)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
// Timeline Section
const timelineSection = form.addSubform('timeline', { title: '⏰ Timeline' });
timelineSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('urgency', {
label: 'Transaction Timeline',
options: [
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard (30-45 days)' },
{ id: 'expedited', name: 'Expedited (15-30 days) (+20%)' },
{ id: 'rush', name: 'Rush (Under 15 days) (+40%)' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('weekendClosing', {
label: 'Weekend/Holiday Closing (+$200)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20, showLine: true, lineStyle: 'dashed' });
// Summary Section
const summarySection = form.addSubform('summary', { title: '💰 Fee Estimate', isCollapsible: false });
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('baseFee', {
label: 'Base Legal Fee',
computedValue: () => {
const type = transactionSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'residential-purchase';
const propertyValue = transactionSection.money('propertyValue')?.value() || 350000;
const complexity = locationSection.dropdown('complexity')?.value() || 'simple';
const state = locationSection.dropdown('state')?.value() || 'attorney-optional';
const transactionInfo = transactionTypes[type];
let fee = transactionInfo?.baseFee ?? 0;
// Percentage-based for commercial
if (transactionInfo?.percentageBased && transactionInfo.percentage) {
fee = Math.max(fee, propertyValue * transactionInfo.percentage);
}
// Value-based adjustment for residential
if (!transactionInfo?.percentageBased && propertyValue > 500000) {
fee += (propertyValue - 500000) * 0.0005;
}
// Complexity multiplier
const complexityMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'simple': 1.0, 'moderate': 1.25, 'complex': 1.5, 'highly-complex': 2.0
};
fee *= complexityMultipliers[complexity] || 1.0;
// State adjustment
if (state === 'attorney-required') fee *= 1.15;
return Math.round(fee);
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('servicesFee', {
label: 'Selected Services',
computedValue: () => {
let total = 0;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('contractReview')?.value()) total += 350;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('dueDiligence')?.value()) total += 400;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('titleSearch')?.value()) total += 300;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('titleInsurance')?.value()) total += 150;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('closingAttendance')?.value()) total += 250;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('documentPrep')?.value()) total += 200;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('mortgageReview')?.value()) total += 250;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('escrowServices')?.value()) total += 300;
return total;
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
});
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('specialFee', {
label: 'Special Situations',
computedValue: () => {
let total = 0;
if (locationSection.checkbox('titleIssues')?.value()) total += 500;
if (locationSection.checkbox('zoningIssues')?.value()) total += 400;
if (specialSection.checkbox('estateSale')?.value()) total += 500;
if (specialSection.checkbox('relocation')?.value()) total += 300;
if (specialSection.checkbox('hoaReview')?.value()) total += 200;
if (specialSection.checkbox('leaseReview')?.value()) total += 350;
if (specialSection.checkbox('entityFormation')?.value()) total += 600;
if (specialSection.checkbox('negotiationSupport')?.value()) total += 500;
return total;
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('timelineFee', {
label: 'Timeline Premium',
computedValue: () => {
const type = transactionSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'residential-purchase';
const urgency = timelineSection.dropdown('urgency')?.value() || 'standard';
const baseFee = transactionTypes[type]?.baseFee ?? 0;
let total = 0;
const urgencyMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'standard': 0, 'expedited': 0.2, 'rush': 0.4
};
total += baseFee * (urgencyMultipliers[urgency] || 0);
if (timelineSection.checkbox('weekendClosing')?.value()) total += 200;
return Math.round(total);
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
});
const finalSection = form.addSubform('final', {
title: '🧾 Total Estimate',
isCollapsible: false,
sticky: 'bottom'
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('totalFee', {
label: 'Estimated Legal Fees',
computedValue: () => {
const type = transactionSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'residential-purchase';
const propertyValue = transactionSection.money('propertyValue')?.value() || 350000;
const complexity = locationSection.dropdown('complexity')?.value() || 'simple';
const state = locationSection.dropdown('state')?.value() || 'attorney-optional';
const urgency = timelineSection.dropdown('urgency')?.value() || 'standard';
// Base fee
const transactionInfo = transactionTypes[type];
let fee = transactionInfo?.baseFee ?? 0;
if (transactionInfo?.percentageBased && transactionInfo.percentage) {
fee = Math.max(fee, propertyValue * transactionInfo.percentage);
}
if (!transactionInfo?.percentageBased && propertyValue > 500000) {
fee += (propertyValue - 500000) * 0.0005;
}
const complexityMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'simple': 1.0, 'moderate': 1.25, 'complex': 1.5, 'highly-complex': 2.0
};
fee *= complexityMultipliers[complexity] || 1.0;
if (state === 'attorney-required') fee *= 1.15;
// Services
if (servicesSection.checkbox('contractReview')?.value()) fee += 350;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('dueDiligence')?.value()) fee += 400;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('titleSearch')?.value()) fee += 300;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('titleInsurance')?.value()) fee += 150;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('closingAttendance')?.value()) fee += 250;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('documentPrep')?.value()) fee += 200;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('mortgageReview')?.value()) fee += 250;
if (servicesSection.checkbox('escrowServices')?.value()) fee += 300;
// Special situations
if (locationSection.checkbox('titleIssues')?.value()) fee += 500;
if (locationSection.checkbox('zoningIssues')?.value()) fee += 400;
if (specialSection.checkbox('estateSale')?.value()) fee += 500;
if (specialSection.checkbox('relocation')?.value()) fee += 300;
if (specialSection.checkbox('hoaReview')?.value()) fee += 200;
if (specialSection.checkbox('leaseReview')?.value()) fee += 350;
if (specialSection.checkbox('entityFormation')?.value()) fee += 600;
if (specialSection.checkbox('negotiationSupport')?.value()) fee += 500;
// Timeline
const urgencyMultipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'standard': 1.0, 'expedited': 1.2, 'rush': 1.4
};
fee *= urgencyMultipliers[urgency] || 1.0;
if (timelineSection.checkbox('weekendClosing')?.value()) fee += 200;
return Math.round(fee);
},
variant: 'large'
});
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('percentNote', {
computedValue: () => {
const propertyValue = transactionSection.money('propertyValue')?.value() || 350000;
const type = transactionSection.dropdown('type')?.value() || 'residential-purchase';
const transactionInfo = transactionTypes[type];
let baseFee = transactionInfo?.baseFee ?? 0;
if (transactionInfo?.percentageBased && transactionInfo.percentage) {
baseFee = Math.max(baseFee, propertyValue * transactionInfo.percentage);
}
const percentage = (Number((baseFee / propertyValue) * 100) || 0).toFixed(2);
return `Base fee represents approximately ${percentage}% of property value`;
},
customStyles: { 'font-size': '0.9rem', 'color': '#64748b', 'text-align': 'center' }
});
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('disclaimer', {
computedValue: () => 'This estimate covers attorney fees only. Additional closing costs (title insurance premiums, recording fees, transfer taxes) are separate. Final fees confirmed after reviewing transaction documents.',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '0.8rem', 'color': '#64748b', 'font-style': 'italic' }
});
});
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: 'Get Transaction Quote'
});
}
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a real estate attorney?
Some states require attorney involvement in real estate transactions. Even in states where it's optional, an attorney can protect your interests by reviewing contracts, identifying issues, and ensuring a smooth closing. It's especially important for complex transactions.
What's included in the base legal fee?
The base fee typically includes initial consultation, basic contract review, standard correspondence, and coordination with other parties. Additional services like title examination, closing attendance, and extended negotiations are priced separately.
How do commercial transaction fees differ?
Commercial transactions involve more complex due diligence, environmental considerations, lease reviews, and negotiation. Fees are often calculated as a percentage of transaction value with a minimum fee, reflecting the additional work involved.
Are title insurance and recording fees included?
No. This calculator estimates attorney fees only. Title insurance premiums, recording fees, and transfer taxes are separate closing costs that vary by location and lender requirements.