The real estate market has more than a little bit of the Wild West in it, with realtors, buyers and sellers all looking to strike the best deal for themselves. There are a number of illegal real estate practices, along with those that are simply unethical. The ones you will likely encounter fall into 2 categories. #1: Dual representation It’s every realtor’s dream to represent … [Read more...]
How Severe Will Your Credit Score be Affected by a Short Sale or Foreclosure?
During tough economic times or personal financial crisis, many people have had to forego their homes or various investment properties through foreclosure or short sales. Your personal credit score will be affected with these decisions, but often times there are no other options. There are differing opinions as to whether a foreclosure or short sale is worse, but many … [Read more...]
What are my Legal Rights if my Neighbor is a Property Nuisance?
According to Legalmatch.com, a property nuisance is as follows: A property nuisance is an unreasonable, unusual, or unnatural use of a person's land, which substantially hurts a second landowner's right to peaceful enjoyment of their land. In certain circumstances, a landowner's emission of noises, lights, or odors can open them up to liability to their neighbors. Just as … [Read more...]
“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”…as Long as Said Fence Isn’t an Easement Obstruction
The great American poet Robert Frost clearly wasn’t thinking about land disputes when he penned the words “Good fences make good neighbors.” And you can’t really blame him for leaving this bit of legal clarification out. After all, it wouldn’t have had quite the same ring to it… Nevertheless, understanding the full scope of easements can really come in handy in the event … [Read more...]
How to Handle Florida Condo Association Elections
The early part of the year is typically when condo and homeowners associations elect new governing board members. In Florida, there are specific procedures condos must follow according to Chapter 18 of Florida statutes. If the proper procedures are not followed, the election can be invalidated and a new election must occur, which can be very costly to an … [Read more...]
What Are Community Development Districts in Florida?
Community Development Districts, or CDDs, are special districts established by Florida statute setup to pay for and manage infrastructure needs for large developments. CDDs are an alternative to municipal incorporation. A CDD is essentially a legal entity with the power to enter into contracts, own property and so on. A CDD is controlled by the residents and landowners in … [Read more...]