St. Augustine Area's Largest Law Firm
Real Estate Buyer Representation in St. Augustine, Florida
Are you buying a home, investment property, or commercial real estate in Northeast Florida? At St. Johns Law Group, we provide full-service Real Estate Buyer Representation. Our team of over 10 attorneys, together with closers, processors, escrow agents, and title agents delivers personalized, attorney-driven service from contract review to closing day.
We don’t just close transactions — we advocate for your interests, navigate complex legal matters, and make the process smooth, secure, and efficient.
🧠 Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney When Buying?
Florida real estate contracts are legally binding documents. Relying solely on a real estate agent can expose you to risk. Our attorneys provide professional legal advice that protects your interests at every stage of the transaction.
🧾 Experienced Buyer Representation – We review hundreds of real estate contracts, including FAR/BAR and custom agreements, every year.
⚖️ Legal Expertise at Every Step – From due diligence and contract review to title resolution and post-closing planning, attorneys handle your file directly — not third-party title processors.
💼 More Lawyers, More Experience – Our real estate team is the most experienced in the St. Augustine area.
Trusted Local Experience:
Douglas Burnett – 25+ years in real estate law
John Whiteman – 40+ years of experience
David Abraham – 30+ years of experience
📞 Contact Our Buyer Representation Team
Katie Lemelin – Closing Agent
Thom Sharpe – Processor & Escrow Agent
Douglas Burnett – Closing Attorney
✍️ Contract Review Before You Sign
Before you sign a purchase agreement, send it to our team. Our attorneys will:
✅ Review the agreement for legal protections
🛡️ Ensure contingencies, deadlines, and financing terms are clear
🖊️ Suggest or draft any needed amendments or addenda
Add St. Johns Law Group as the Title and Escrow Agent before signing:
Escrow & Title Agent
St. Johns Law Group
104 Sea Grove Main Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
(904) 495-0400
We’ll take it from there.
🛠️ Full-Service Legal Support for Buyers
Our attorneys conduct title examinations, identify potential risks, and ensure clean title transfer. We also coordinate closely with brokers, real estate agents and lenders to help you close confidently and on time.
📝 Contracts, Amendments & Addenda
We draft, modify, and negotiate contracts to protect your interests.
🧾 Title Insurance at Competitive Rates
We write title insurance at the same rates as title companies — with attorney oversight included.
⚖️ Title Defects & Quiet Title Actions
We routinely resolve title issues and can file quiet title actions when needed — in-house, without delays or outsourcing.
🧱 Construction & Seller Disputes
If the seller defaults or a construction defect is discovered, we have litigation-ready attorneys to protect your rights.
🏘️ Lease Agreements
We draft residential or commercial leases — including post-closing occupancy or investment property leasing.
📐 Zoning & Entitlements
Our land use attorneys have helped secure over 100 Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and can assist with:
Rezonings
Variances
Site development approvals
Permitting
🏦 Buying with a Loan or Refinancing?
Let your lender know that you want St. Johns Law Group to handle your real estate closing. We also assist with:
Refinance closings
Loan document review
Title insurance reissue credits (with prior owner’s title policy)
📄 Please provide:
Your prior owner’s title policy (for possible discount)
Your homeowners insurance declaration page
📬 Need a Mail-Away Closing?
Not in Florida? No problem.
We regularly coordinate mail-away closings for out-of-town or out-of-state buyers. Here’s what you’ll need:
🖊️ Sign documents in front of a notary public + one witness
🧾 Need to use a Power of Attorney? We’ll draft a compliant POA
🪪 Bring a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID
💸 Wire transfers only for closing funds (no checks accepted)
🏁 After Closing – Tips for Buyers
📂 Keep your title policy – it may qualify you for future discounts on title insurance
🏠 Primary residence? File for Homestead Exemption with the St. Johns County Property Appraiser
📜 New Florida resident? Let our wills, trusts & estates attorneys James Hatfield and Ann Miles review your documents to ensure they comply with Florida law
💬 Have Questions?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or relocating to Florida, our attorneys and staff are here to walk you through every step — from contract to keys.
📞 Call us at (904) 495-0400
📧 Or email our team to get started today.
📍 Areas We Serve
We represent buyers throughout St. Johns County and beyond, including:
St. Augustine & Beach
Ponte Vedra & Nocatee
St. Johns, Fruit Cove & World Golf Village
Vilano, SilverLeaf, Palm Valley
Palatka, Palm Coast, Jacksonville (Southside)
Green Cove Springs & surrounding areas
🔗 Related Services
Contact Us:
- 104 Sea Grove Main Street | St. Augustine, Florida 32080
