Florida
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Wholesaler? Partly Manure!
Something About This Stinks. As a board certified real estate attorney, I often am contacted by distressed homeowners who have fallen prey to some less than desirable real estate practices, particularly wholesaling. These homeowners, often desperate for a quick sale due to any number of reasons, but commonly due to financial hardship, become easy targets…
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25-Year Reminder to Wear Sunscreen
Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2024… It’s hard to believe that a quarter-century has passed since I was a wide-eyed high school senior, full of hopes and dreams. As I sit here, a seasoned attorney, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that has brought me to this point. And, curiously, a…
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Hurricane Debris Got You Down?
Even though we are over a month and a half from Hurricane Milton ravaging our community, there is still a lot of debris that needs to be picked up in and around our community. Fortunately, Manatee County has created a reporting tool for residents to notify the county about debris piles for pickup. Below is…
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Can You Get a Refund of Estoppel Certificate Fees in a Cancelled Florida Real Estate Transaction?
Know Your Rights Under Florida Law When a real estate transaction in Florida falls through, it can be a frustrating and costly experience. One often-overlooked expense is the estoppel certificate fee. These fees, charged by homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to verify information about a property, can be substantial. But what happens to these fees if the…
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Florida Hurricane Victims May Qualify for Property Tax Refunds Thanks to Florida Statutes § 197.319
Hurricane Milton was a devastating blow to our community, leaving many homeowners facing significant property damage and financial hardship. As we approach the 30-day mark since the storm, there’s some good news: property tax relief may be available for those whose homes were rendered uninhabitable. Florida Statute § 197.319 enables some homeowners to receive a…
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Bought a New Build in Florida? You Might Be Owed Money From the Builder.
And we can help. Congratulations on your beautiful new construction home in the Sunshine State! But before you sink into those beachy vibes, there’s one important detail to consider: post-closing tax re-proration provisions. In plain English, this means you might be entitled to money back from the builder (the seller) due to potential discrepancies between…
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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Means Test Median Family Income Levels By State, as of November 1, 2024
For bankruptcy cases filed on or after November 1, 2024, the median income figure for a household of 1 earner in Florida has increased to $63,916 (from $62,973). Below you will find the median family income levels utilized by the United States Trustee Program for means testing individuals who have filed for bankruptcy relief. Median…
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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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New Florida Law Aims to Keep Unsuspecting Buyers From Being Flooded by Loopholes
Florida is a state that is prone to flooding. This is due to a number of factors, including the state’s low-lying geography, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and its susceptibility to hurricanes. 2024 has definitely been one for the books, but it is likely to be a glimpse of…
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Old School Bankruptcy Exemption Gets a Modern Facelift
A Victory for Florida Debtors. There was a recent change to Florida law that benefits the vast majority of individuals filing for bankruptcy protection in Florida. Specifically, the change in law provides a long-overdue increase to the property exemptions that Florida debtors are able to claim. What’s an Exemption? When facing financial hardship, bankruptcy can…