Articles Posted in Real Estate

The Florida Realtors has posted on its website its Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement as the contract form for Florida Realtors to ask/encourage/require prospective buyers to sign before showing them a house for sale. Prospective buyers would think that’s great. I’d like a real estate agent who only represents buyers on my side, rather than someone…

Florida probate lawyers know that when a Florida resident dies owing people money those people need to file claims against the decedent’s estate in a Florida probate court proceeding. The same applies when the decedent dies in an auto accident: anyone claiming that the decedent caused injuries must file a claim in the probate proceeding.…

My NEW FREE ebook “Florida Real Estate Lease Agreements: A Collection of Forms for Lawyers” is now available on my website. It is also available as a free ebook on Apple Books (Mac, iPhone, iPad), Google Books, Google Play Books (Android), Barnes and Noble Nook, and Amazon Kindle and as a $12 paperback on Amazon…

My NEW FREE ebook “Florida Real Estate Sales Contracts: A Collection of Forms for Lawyers” is now available on my website.  It is also available as a free ebook on Apple Books (Mac, iPhone, iPad), Google Books, Google Play Books (Android), Barnes and Noble Nook, and Amazon Kindle and as a $12 paperback on Amazon…

Disclaimer clauses are common in contracts for sale of real estate, especially in as-is contracts. An as-is contract generally favors the seller by including wording that limits the seller’s liability to the buyer. For example, the contract might say that the real property is being sold as-is and without any warranties by the seller. It…

Everyone who deals with real estate in Florida needs a survey. Whether buying, selling, leasing, constructing, lending, or just plain owning real estate, you need a survey. Here’s why: Buyer: You’re buying real estate in Florida and the broker says you don’t need a survey unless the lender requires it. Is that true? Probably not.…

Whether selling a home or an office building, the seller of Florida real estate needs a lawyer. Why? Because the seller has two goals: get paid and avoid litigation. The lawyer’s job is to help the seller get paid by preparing and negotiating the listing and sale contracts, helping the seller through the due diligence…

When buying real estate in Florida, the buyer needs a lawyer. Why? Because real estate is complicated. There are many pitfalls. And there is usually no one else to watch out for the buyer’s legal interest. Brokers and closing agents usually aren’t lawyers. They are usually transaction agents who don’t represent either side. Only lawyers represent one side…

Sad stories make good lessons. Don’t text and drive. Don’t share your passwords. And don’t spit in the wind. To those I’ll add this one: don’t buy real estate without title insurance. A story in today’s paper tells the sad story: man buys beachfront condo at foreclosure sale; condo has two mortgages, not one; foreclosure…

So, what’s the difference between the legal title to real estate and the legal title to a motor vehicle? It’s simply this: motor vehicles have title certificates, but real estate does not. A good way to see the difference is to consider the legal documents needed when changing the title. If you have a car…