“Predictability.” “Integrity.” “Transparency.”– Just words until you see it.
Hi I’m Tom S. Groth and I’ll be here for your next move.
They say “Variety is the spice of life.” But I would assume “science says” some things are easier to digest when they are bland and simple.
Well, from where I sit, I see a consistent pattern and trend:
more and more nutmeggers are clicking through online to check mortgage rates from FinTech, Wholesale Mortgage Brokers, and west-coast lenders, and the numbers just don’t line up like they used to
government regulations foist piles of disclosures on homebuyers – via those same entities,
the variability in terms of what is “standard” for bank and other service fees has certainly increased.
Chalk it up to “growing pains” and “eventually more efficient and less ‘expensive'” if you want.
I see it as removal of the actual professional. Especially in a state like connecticut where we expect, and in-fact, legally demand, that traditional home purchase closings be conducted by a Licensed attorney. CONDUCTED. Not “OBSERVED”.
I’ve spoken with attorneys in firms where residential real estate is incidental to their other practice areas.
Their clients trust them. Good.
Their clients like them. Good.
Their clients know them. Good.
And they want them to do their closings. Cool.
These firms choose to service their existing clients in Real Estate Transactions, but they strike out with all “tire kickers” and “price shoppers.” I see it as a combination of things from these conversations – that lead these attorneys to charge “uncompetitve” rates. It mostly boils down to what they think their efforts being worth, and perhaps, more effort being required for a one-off transaction for a lawyer who only does a handful of closings a year.
I’m fine with that. Professionals are allowed to have boundaries. to pick their cases. to charge what they believe they are worth. And to know what works and doesn’t work for their business.
Since I decided to start shedding the majority of other practice areas and start really focusing in on Real Estate transactions, I have found several efficiency gains. and No – I won’t share, not yet! Call me in 20 years.
Unlike the firms that provide Real Estate Closing services for existing clients, I meet most of my clients after they already have an accepted offer. and a pre-approval. and a Loan Estimate.
And that’s par for the course for practices like my own – where the overwhelming focus is on Residential Purchases and Sales.
And so I’ve been stuck with what some call a self-imposed dilema. An “impossible” marketing task for one Lawyer running a solo Real Estate firm. and I won’t budge.
Flat Fee. No Junk Fees. Predictability. Integrity. Transparency.
But sometimes people are calling for rates.
They are “kicking tires”
After all they “can shop for” these services.
And some of my Colleagues make it HARD for me to compete on price, because I verbally quote the out-the-door price for all of the Administrative services my office provides. Apples-to-Apples comparisons would be easier if everyone priced like I do. It’s impossible when they don’t. And this isn’t some high-road claim, I promise. No shade. I understand I am the outlier and I am OK with that. (FWIW I’m not the only RE lawyer in CT who prices like this… but it is rare)
And so I’ve been stuck with what some call a self-imposed dilema. An “impossible” marketing task for one Lawyer running a solo Real Estate firm. and I won’t budge.
Flat Fee. No Junk Fees. Predictability. Integrity. Transparency.
While I was conducting my car to drive me to the office this morning, I reminded myself of something I’ve been reminding the internet of since the end of 2025: My Rates WILL increase in 2026.
So here THEY ARE *these rates are good through August 15, 2026, and are offered under the assumption that the the homebuyer or homeowner is – 1) working with a licensed Real Estate Salesperson (buyer and seller), 2) the buyer intends to purchase Title Insurance*:
Purchase with Tom Groth Law PLLC:
$1750 – For a Sale
$1750 – For a Purchase..
And here’s a list of the “Junk fees” you’ll see on your Closing Disclosure related to the services my office provides (and is therefore included in the fee above)
Title Search Review
Doc Prep Fee
Courier Fee
Rundown Fee
Copies Fee
Wire Fee
WHY?
because I value Predictability, Integrity, and Transparency.
It’s not about the price.
and some will say – “but Tom, if everyone else is doing it you should too” or “it makes it look petty or liek you are complaining that other firms do this.”
Only because of how it effects me. But that’s a choice I make.
It’s a given that any savvy consumer may come into any “sales” conversation for legal services with a healthy dose of skepticism. They should.
People say I’m scaring away customers by quoting them a higher verbal price than the “competition.” I just don’t care.
I’m not optimizing for retention. I’m optimizing for the best client experience.
I’m worth it.
And I’m not even as expensive as you think I am. But if I was, it would be worth it.
Sincerely,
Tom
PS – a thought:
People pay massive dollars to “consult” with brand experts and to calibrate their “business culture” so that it runs like the machine of the owner-nonoperator of their future faking vision-board fantasy. Yet the value, for the professional who chooses to provide it, is always right in front of us. It’s staring us in the face. It’s us – feeling the words we speak, and knowing that we believe those words to be true. Not focused on how it sounds, or what the listener thinks we might be saying. No – clear, concise, fair, accurate, and truthful communication is the main thing that we as service providers give to our clients, counterparts, and colleagues.