The first New York City transfer tax was enacted in 1959. Since then, the amount and scope of the tax has grown from 0.5% just on real property (houses and condos) and now 1.425% on most properties, including co-ops.
Ninety-nine percent of the time, attorneys are present on both sides of a real estate transaction in New York state: the seller's side and the buyer's side. That's because in NYS, all real estate contracts of sale need to drawn up by the principle or their attorney.
Buyer and seller negotiate contract terms. Generally, the seller's attorney creates the first draft of the contract. There are standardized, pre-printed forms for this purpose.
Closing agents, who aid in the selling of a property to a buyer, prepare closing statements. Real estate attorneys, title firms, and escrow officers often act as closing agents.