For most people, buying a house, or a coop or condo, is the biggest purchase they will ever make in a lifetime. And because this purchase is so huge, there are some points to keep in mind when buying property.

Point 1: Always hire a lawyer with real estate experience to represent you. There are just too many details to even consider acting as your own lawyer. And remember, when it comes to the lawyer's fee, cheaper isn't always better. Why? Because the most important thing you want from a real estate lawyer is to pay close attention to the details of your purchase. Quite simply, if your lawyer is charging you a fee that doesn't cover the amount of time he or she needs to spend on your purchase, then it's entirely possible that important details could get overlooked. Your lawyer is the only person who will be looking out for- your best interest, this is not the time to look for a bargain, this is time to look for the best lawyer to protect you.

Point 2: Make sure that the lawyer you do retain is not one recommended by the seller, the real estate agent, the mortgage broker, or even the bank that's lending you money. This is really important because you want to have a lawyer who will look out exclusively for your interests alone, someone who is independent of any party in your real estate deal.

Point 3: Never sign anything or pay any deposit before you retain a lawyer. It is always tempting when you fall in love with that house or apartment to listen to a real estate agent or even a seller who says: "Why don't you pay me a deposit and sign this paper (a short contract called a binder) right now. That way you'll be sure of getting this property." Resist that temptation. That binder is a contract that could potentially cause you problems. Just pretend you're in Hollywood and say: "I'll have my lawyer call your lawyer."

Point 4: Make sure the property is inspected. Either before you sign the contract to purchase the property, or after you've signed it (just make sure the contract has a provision allowing you to do this), have a licensed engineer inspect the electrical, plumbing and heating/air-conditioning/ ventilating systems as well as the soundness of the structure. If something major is wrong, the contract should give you the option of canceling the purchase or having the seller fix what's wrong.

These are just some points to remember. But if you hire an experienced real estate lawyer, you won't have to worry about whether you covered everything.