[quote=spdrun]Both NJ and NY require attorneys. I have less of a problem working with one just before closing (after I satisfy myself of everything) than dealing with a buyer broker for months on end!

Atty fee is actually cheap as compared to a broker commission. Yeah, yeah, seller pays, but everything eventually gets passed to the buyer![/quote]

You are comparing apples and oranges. In NJ/NY which use attorneys there are still agents on each side. IN CA the attorney is comparable to the escrow company which is cheaper and less adversarial than an attorney.