The lawyer handles the parts an agent legally cannot: reviewing the purchase contract's conditions, clearing title through the Information Services Corporation system, handling mortgage discharge and payout, and disbursing your proceeds after possession.
A typical fee for this work runs $800 to $1,500, and it is worth calling more than one firm, since the fee and the level of service can both vary between lawyers.
Choosing your own lawyer rather than accepting a referral without comparing means you know exactly who is protecting your interest at the closing table. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.