Christopher N. Davis, JD, LLM Tax Law
Real Estate Law
Real estate transactions — whether residential or commercial — represent some of the largest financial decisions of your life. As a Tennessee real estate attorney, Chris Davis provides the legal counsel you need to protect your investment every step of the way.
From the first offer to the final closing, real estate transactions are full of potential pitfalls for the unprepared. Title issues, contract disputes, zoning complications, and unclear terms can turn a promising deal into a costly problem. Having experienced legal counsel at the table protects you before problems arise.
Chris handles residential and commercial real estate matters throughout Tennessee, bringing careful attention to every contract, closing document, and title issue that crosses his desk. His goal is to ensure that when you close, you close with confidence.
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or a business owner acquiring commercial property, The Davis Firm has the experience to guide your transaction to a successful close.
Tennessee does not legally require an attorney at closing, but having one protects you in ways a title company or real estate agent cannot. An attorney reviews the purchase contract, identifies title defects, ensures the deed is properly drafted, and makes sure your interests are protected — not just that the transaction closes. For most people, a home is the largest purchase of their life. The cost of legal counsel at closing is minimal compared to the cost of a problem discovered afterward.
A title defect is any issue in the chain of ownership that could cloud your legal right to a property — unpaid liens, boundary disputes, errors in prior deeds, undisclosed heirs, or fraudulent transfers. If a title defect isn't caught before closing, you could end up owning a property with unresolved legal claims against it. Chris reviews title history carefully to identify and resolve these issues before they become your problem.
A closing attorney manages the transaction mechanics — title search, document preparation, and fund disbursement — but represents the transaction, not you personally. A buyer's attorney represents your interests specifically, reviewing the contract before you sign and advocating for you if issues arise. Having your own attorney at closing costs relatively little and provides protection a closing attorney alone cannot.
It depends on the contract terms. Most purchase agreements include contingencies — for financing, inspection, or appraisal — that allow a buyer to exit within specific timeframes without penalty. Outside of those contingencies, cancelling a signed contract can result in losing your earnest money or facing legal action. Chris reviews contracts before signing so clients understand exactly what they're committing to and what their exit options are.
Every matter starts with a conversation. Reach out today and let's discuss how The Davis Firm can help.