From Contract to Keys: At the Closing Table
an interview with Catherine Powers
In this edition of The AHA! Moment, I sit down with Boston-based real estate attorney Catherine Powers of Touchstone Closing to explore the legal side of buying and selling real estate — especially in Massachusetts, where attorneys play a crucial role in the closing process.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned seller, or just someone curious about real estate law, our conversation delivers behind-the-scenes, wise insights that can save you time, money, and stress. Catherine dives into the most common legal mistakes clients make, how to avoid delays, and what makes a strong attorney-agent partnership, the role of real estate attorney in a transaction, and what’s unique about Massachusetts real estate law.
Catherine is an incredibly sharp, loyal, and trusted partner of mine—and I can’t wait for you to dive into our chat. Be sure to listen to our full conversation on The AHA! Moment Podcast!
What are the most common legal oversights you see buyers make?
Right off the bat, it would be not understanding their offer, the contingencies on the offer, and not knowing the dates in their offer.
But I think also a part of that is the buyer not feeling comfortable with asking questions. That's one thing I really like to reiterate with my buyers. Please ask any and all questions. I don't expect you to be a real estate expert. I don't expect you to know everything that you know we know as real estate professionals.
It's important to know what exactly is going to be in the offer agreement. Keeping track of your mortgage commitment date. Keeping track of when the purchase and sale agreement is due. And of course, a lot of that does fall on the agent and the attorney. But I think it's also important for the buyer themselves to know and understand what is going to be offered. Do you have an inspection contingency? If you're buying a condominium, are you able to review the condominium docs? Is the purchase and sale agreement going to be contingent upon satisfactory review of the condominium documents? That's really important for buyers to understand. It's a huge commitment, buying a house. And it's not something you should take lightly.
But I think that buyers should also know and understand that they have a team behind them. If they're financing it with a mortgage, they have their lender, they have their agent, they have their attorney, and we are here for them to back them up.
What should someone look for when choosing a real estate attorney?
I definitely think someone that you feel comfortable and confident with, and someone who is going to be there to answer all of your questions, no matter how small they are or how large they are. At Touchstone, we take a very proactive approach versus reactive approach, so that way, anything that might pop up, any obstacles, we can fix those before they really become an issue.
I really like that mentality because I think it gives our clients more confidence in us in having that type of approach. Also too, I think really working with a team of people. So for instance, you and I working as attorney and agent, we are gonna be in constant communication. We can give each other a quick text, a quick call if something comes up and really knowing that your team is gonna be in contact throughout the entire process. Same with your lender. If the buyer's financing with a mortgage, having your agent, your attorney, and your lender in constant communication, whether or not the client is even aware of it.
It's almost like the trifecta, having those people that you know are going to constantly be communicating with each other, making sure that all the issues, even if it feels on our end, like I'm being repetitive with you, or vice versa. We don't care because we would rather have our client be taken care of.
Where can people find you online?
Instagram: @catherinepowersesq @touchstoneclosing
Cheers,
Angelina