Real Estate Closings
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Reissue Me This, Batt, Man (What is Title Insurance Reissue Credit?)
Calculating Title Insurance Premium Savings Should Never Be a Riddle As a Florida real estate attorney, I think a closing should be smooth, transparent, and as cost-effective as the law allows. One of the easiest ways to deliver on that last part — and one of the most commonly missed — is the reissue credit…
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Florida’s New “Gold Standard” and Documentary Stamp Tax
As a real estate lawyer practicing in Lakewood Ranch, our profession constantly navigates the interplay of property law, financial mechanisms, and state taxation. The recent enactment of Florida House Bill 999 (HB 999), effective July 1, 2026, which formally recognizes qualifying gold and silver coins as “specie legal tender,” will undoubtedly have wide-reaching implications. However,…
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Selling Your Florida Home? Don’t Skip That HOA Payment!
As a real estate attorney handling closings right here in Florida, specifically in the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch area, I get this question a lot from sellers: “Should I pay my upcoming HOA assessment if I’m selling my house?” The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES! I understand why the question comes…
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If They Build It, You Will Come: New Construction Contracts in Florida
So, you want to buy a brand new home in Florida? Join the crowd. As a real estate attorney in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, I am often asked by folks to review their new construction purchase contract for buying a home from a builder. I’m always happy to do it, but I will always caution that…
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Don’t Forget to File for the Florida Homestead Tax Exemption
The statutory deadline to file is March 1. Failure to timely file constitutes a waiver of your entitlement to the tax savings for the year. Homeowners in Florida may be entitled to a substantial tax benefit known as the Florida Homestead Tax Exemption, which is a two-pronged benefit in the form of: If you recently…
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You Wouldn’t Sit On a One-Legged Stool
Preventing Wire Fraud in Real Estate Closings, Three Legs at a Time. In today’s digital age, the convenience and speed of electronic transactions have revolutionized many industries, and the real estate closing and title industry is no exception. However, this convenience has also opened the door to a growing number of scams, particularly wire fraud.…
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Document Preparation Fee? Not On My Watch.
Protecting Your Interests During Real Estate Closings The sale of Florida real estate signifies a significant financial transaction, often marking a new chapter for sellers. However, navigating the intricacies of closing costs can be a complex and potentially contentious process. It’s no secret that every transaction has closing costs, some of which are paid by…
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Estoppel Certificate & Other HOA Fees: Junk or Justified?
As a board certified real estate lawyer in Florida, I frequently deal with estoppel certificates, including reviewing them and ordering them from associations and their management companies. If you are unfamiliar with what an estoppel certificate is, here is a previous blog post that provides some general information. But, briefly, estoppel certificates are official statements…
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Burnett v. National Association of Realtors – The 1.8 Billion Dollar Verdict That Could Reshape an Entire Industry
Yes… with a “B” On October 31, 2023, a federal jury in Missouri returned a verdict finding the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several large brokerages liable for antitrust violations in a class-action lawsuit filed by home sellers. The case is Burnett et al v. The National Association of Realtors et al, U.S. District…