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Florida Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Purchased a condo in Pinellas Park, the brokers listing lied about hurricane windows. do i have a case?

listing " All windows has been upgrade to double panel, insulated and hurricane proof vinyl windows." After the purchase I researched the windows and they are indeed not what is listed. Talked to the original installer. thanks Frank

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 20, 2023

In Florida, if you purchased a condo based on a broker's listing that claimed the windows were upgraded to hurricane-proof, and later discovered this to be untrue, you might have grounds for legal action. The key issue here is whether the broker's representation about the windows was a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: In Florida is the board required to file a police report if they don't receive all the records from the previous board?

We voted in a new board with special session. The new board fired the bookkeeper and hired a new accounting firm. The old bookkeeper doesn't have all the records either he won't turn them over or he doesn't have them is the new board required to file a police report about this

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 20, 2023

In Florida, the requirements for a board, particularly in the context of a homeowners' association or similar entity, regarding the handling of records and potential legal issues can vary based on the specific circumstances and the governing documents of the organization.

If a new...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: The president of my condo association ignores document requests. What can I do to get the documents I need?

They don't send paperwork showing the yearly budget but recently requested an extra 100 for "insurance" to be added to the monthly fees and I've written to the president many times asking for documents of the roof because I need it for a discount on getting the condos insured.

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Dec 18, 2023

You need to send a certified letter, return receipt to the registered agent of the association (look for your association on www.sunbiz.com) requesting to inspect the official records. Requesting copies of documents is not a proper request and the association has no duty to send copies. The... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Florida on
Q: The well for my newly constructed home was drilled 6" onto my neighbor's lot. Builder will not correct the issue.

Placement of well according to septic engineering should be much closer to my home and out of the easement.

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Dec 14, 2023

Buying and selling property, especially new construction, without a real estate lawyer. I know that doesn't help you now and you will need to hire a real estate litigator or a construction law litigator to review your documents related to the sale and construction to get this resolved. The... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Is it legal, in FL, to require the owner of a mh, parked in a m h park, to require the owner to leave the m h there?

I am trying to sell a mh I own. It is located in a mh park. According to the lot contract, it says it can not be moved. This is preventing the sale. People want to move the mh onto their property. Is this legal in FL?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Dec 13, 2023

No. Florida Statute 723.058 (10 provides that

"No mobile home park owner ... shall make or enforce any rule, regulation, or rental agreement provision which denies or abridges the right of any mobile home owner or owner of a lot in a mobile home subdivision to sell his or her mobile...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Real Estate Law, Health Care Law and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Can I sue my HOA for radon exposure and for denying my architectural request for a mitigation system?

Over a year ago, I formally submitted a request to my HOA's management company, complete with necessary documentation, seeking approval for a Radon mitigation fan installation. Despite engaging with the HOA management for over four months, my inquiries were met with vague responses. Even... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Dec 13, 2023

Generally, anyone can sue anyone else but whether or not you have a case depends on a lot of factors, including a reading of your association documents, which we cannot do in this online forum. How you proceed depends on if you live in a HOA (generally, single-family home, townhomes, villas) or a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can we as an HOA legally stop an airbnb in Florida.

Our HOA discovered a home being used as an airbnb. Our CCR's don't specify against them but do against businesses restricting commerce, industry, business, trade or profession. Since Florida requires an airbnb to be licensed and our CCR's restrict businesses can we prohibit them?... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Dec 12, 2023

First, I caution that if you are a board member, you have a fiduciary duty to ask this of your association attorney rather than strangers on the Internet who have not read your documents. If your HOA doesn't have one, it needs one. Board members cannot amend association documents because... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: How do I find out where the money from the sale of a house is at?

My mother passed away a few years ago and I still haven’t seen any money from the sale. The proceeds were to be split 50/50 between my sister and I. She hired a lawyer to oversee the sale of the house and claims no money has been dispersed but I have no way of knowing. She won’t talk to me and... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Dec 12, 2023

You can review the court docket for the probate case to see what has taken place. You can also review the real estate records to see if the property has sold. If you are not satisfied with the way the estate is being handled and believe waste is taking place, you may petition the court to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: How do I find out where the money from the sale of a house is at?

My mother passed away a few years ago and I still haven’t seen any money from the sale. The proceeds were to be split 50/50 between my sister and I. She hired a lawyer to oversee the sale of the house and claims no money has been dispersed but I have no way of knowing. She won’t talk to me and... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Dec 12, 2023

You will want to take a look at the clerk of the court probate documents in the county where this took place, there should be status and resolution updates related to the home and other matters related to probate and assets. You may end up having to hire your own probate attorney if this is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Florida on
Q: Roofers put lien on both houses disputing payment what attorney/lawyer do I need

The original lien has charges totally different from papers delivered by sheriff. I've had dispute over charges for work not done but charged for with no response

Jane Kim
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answered on Dec 9, 2023

You are describing construction lien law.

The issue in this area is that the builder or contractor does not usually pay any legal fees upfront because often lawyers take these cases on contingency. I find young lawyers taking more cases that they shouldn't. This creates litigation...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I own a unit in a cooperative in Florida. The bylaws expressly stated that you are permitted to smoke on the dock.

The dock in closed due to disrepair. There is a section of dock on the land side of a gate but still over the water. I say it's part of the dock. Is it? Shouldn't I be allowed to smoke there?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 2, 2023

In determining whether the section of the dock on the land side is part of the dock for the purposes of smoking, it's important to refer to the specific language of the cooperative's bylaws and any other relevant governing documents. These documents may define what constitutes the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: I bought a home in Florida for my mom, I want to add her to the deed so her save our homes exemption is applied, can I?

This is my first home, I don’t have a previous save our homes homestead exemption. I am buying the house but my mother is living in it. If I add her to the deed will she be able to transfer her save our homes to the new house? As it would be 50% ownership, would 50% of the exemption be applied?... View More

Jacqueline Alicia Salcines
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answered on Dec 2, 2023

What a nice gesture. You can absolutely add her in via a Quit Claim Deed. I would strongly urge you to hire a real estate lawyer to prepare one so it is done right. Errors in deeds are costly specially when trying to correct them after many years and at the time of sale. As co-tenants you can... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: I bought a home in Florida for my mom, I want to add her to the deed so her save our homes exemption is applied, can I?

This is my first home, I don’t have a previous save our homes homestead exemption. I am buying the house but my mother is living in it. If I add her to the deed will she be able to transfer her save our homes to the new house? As it would be 50% ownership, would 50% of the exemption be applied?... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 25, 2023

In Florida, the "Save Our Homes" homestead exemption is specific to the property that serves as the primary residence for the homeowner. Adding your mother to the deed of your new home as a co-owner could have some implications for the exemption.

Partial Exemption: If you add your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: QUESTION: 11-26-2023 ... My Not - for - Profit HOA Is a FL_720 55+ Community [Cascades Of Groveland] !!

Can the Board Schedule [FOR SEVERAL DAYS] a Voting on Amending the Declaration of Restrictions in Order Garner THE TWO -THIRDS MAJORITY of the Lot Owners Required TO APPROVE of the Amendment Even Though the BYLAWS SPECIFY THAT ALL MEETINGS MUST FOLLOW ROBERTS RULE ??

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 30, 2023

In Florida, homeowner association (HOA) boards must adhere to the governing documents of the association, which typically include the bylaws and the declaration of restrictions. If the bylaws of your HOA specify that all meetings must follow Robert's Rules of Order, then this procedure should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Does a grandchild inherit what portion was going to belong to their parent if they also are deceased?

My father passed away and my brother did also years ago. Does my brothers children inherit his part of my fathers inheritance? How does that work

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Nov 30, 2023

I am very sorry for your loss the passing of your father, please accept my condolences for you and your family and this difficult and sad time. Generally, it depends, was there a Will and or a Trust, is there a surviving spouse. If there is no Will or estate planning, then it may also depend on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Must HOA Board minutes reflect how each individual Board member voted, vs a consolidation of total votes for/against?

Florida Statute 720.303(3) says, “A vote or abstention from voting on each matter voted upon for each director present at a board meeting must be recorded in the minutes.” Our HOA Board feels that a summary of votes is sufficient, but I know that “all” refers to the entire group as a whole,... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Nov 28, 2023

If the vote is unanimous for or against it is sufficient, in my opinion, to say the vote was unanimous. If you are a board member, this is a question for your association attorney and not for questions posed to strangers in an internet forum, even if they are lawyers. Your fiduciary duty is to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Who owns the house?

My mother and stepfather divorced about 10 years ago but still stayes together. About two years ago, he used his money to buy a house and put it solely in my mothers name. My stepfather is emotionally abusive and threatens to kick my mom out of the house which causes her to panic because she thinks... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
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answered on Nov 28, 2023

In Florida, if the deed is only in your mother's name and she is unmarried then she owns the house. You do not mention whether there is a mortgage and if so, whose name is on the mortgage. Assuming that there are no encumbrances (mortgages or other liens) then your mother can sell the house if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Why do I need a letter of successor for a property that I own with my deceased husband?

Had a fire back in May of this year. Finally got the insurance check after my husband died. Mortgage company isn't accepting his death certificate as a reason he didn't sign the check. But are requesting that I send them a letter of success.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Nov 26, 2023

I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your husband, please accept my condolences for you and you family at this sad and difficult time. It is likely that you may need some version of probate, either a Summary Administration or if you really need Letters of Administration potentially a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Is a title search company liable for not noticing the deed was not signed , thus giving me wrong info,costing $60,000

Deciding if I would contest my mother’s Will, I recieved advise from an attorney who told me to have a title search done. The title search company said the 2013 title to my mom’s home proceeded the Life estate Deed and I was co-owner, as I have hoped. I decided not to contest because the Will... View More

Jane Kim
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answered on Nov 25, 2023

The title company merely reviews the record. They do not opine on validity of documents that have been recorded. It sounds like the other side's estate's attorney was making a claim or an allegation that the deed was not valid. You could have/should have retained your own counsel to... View More

Q: I am purchasing land to establish a farm and I am told I need a lawyer, but I don't know what kind.

I need to have a purchase agreement with the seller to proceed with the FSA who is giving a farm loan to purchase the land 100%.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Nov 24, 2023

For the real estate transaction, hire a real estate lawyer. If you still need to set up your business entity for the farm, hire a lawyer handling business formation. You might be able to find a lawyer/law firm that does both. Another issue is whether your land is already zoned for everything you... View More

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