I plan to purchase my sister's home and wonder how to accomplish that without a realtor? I don't expect any issues but want to protect myself.

Dear Purchaser:  Retain legal counsel ASAP.  Your purchase represents probably the largest single investment tyou'll make in your lifetime.  Protect it by having an experienced Attorney prepare the proper documentation to avoid any disputes, claims, bad feelings, etc. and more importantly, to provide you with clear title to the property.  Absolutely insist on a Title Protection Letter and obtain title commitment and underwriting.  An experienced real estate Attorney can help you smooth the way.  Ad, it's worthevery penny you pay for such protection.

Good luck.  Sincerely, J. Norman Stark, Cleveland, Ohio.

Hire a lawyer, to handle this for you from contract through closing.  There's nobody else who can help you draw the line between what you can take on trust, and what you can't.  I hope your sister does the same.  That's the best way, I believe, to avoid having something go wrong in this transaction.  I think there's too much at stake when you're buying a home to go without a lawyer, and here there's even more, because your relationship with your sister can be damaged here, as well, and it's just not worth the risk.