Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Florida Partition Actions
It is not uncommon for people to co-own property in Florida, given rising real estate prices. However, too often, co-owners have a falling-out, or one may choose to invest their money closer to home. When that happens, the owners may be able to work out a division of the property themselves, but if they… Read More »
Can A Condo Board Ever Evict An Owner?
Condominium boards and other community associations have quite a lot of power in Florida, including taking actions against owners who violate the community bylaws. However, it is quite rare that a board would actually arrive at a situation where eviction would be on the proverbial table. It can happen, in the most extreme cases,… Read More »
The Digitization Of Real Estate Transactions
The Florida real estate market has always been lively, with supply and demand fluctuating according to current events and other factors. The COVID-19 global pandemic has changed the direction of the market, but safety considerations have also fueled changes to how real estate transactions are concluded. Real estate professionals have adapted to social distancing… Read More »
Sunshine Laws & Condominium Associations
Sunshine laws are regulations essentially requiring openness and transparency from governmental actors, which in turn allows the public to have a better understanding of (and often, more of a role in) governance and politics. The state of Florida has its broad Sunshine In The Government Act, allowing access to almost all public records, though… Read More »
Different Types Of Florida Real Estate Deeds
When one is looking to conclude a real estate transaction in Florida – whether buying or selling – one should be familiar with the different types of deeds that are used in the state, as one type may be better suited for your purposes than others. An ability to understand and appraise a proposed… Read More »
How Far Can Community Associations Go?
When one purchases a home or condominium governed by a community association, one tacitly grants that community association a modicum of control over certain things in their lives. A homeowner in a homeowners’ association (HOA) cannot, say, paint their house in a color that is not acceptable to the association. However, the power granted… Read More »
What Should I Look Out For As A Florida Real Property Investor?
2021 has been a tumultuous year for those who invest in Florida real estate. As of this writing, the market is in good shape for sellers, but the current low interest rates favor buyers. However, there is so much more that an investor needs to be aware of before dipping into the somewhat volatile… Read More »
Issues After The Florida Eviction Moratorium
The eviction moratorium instituted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), intended to aid those experiencing difficulties in finance, was allowed to expire in August 2021, according to a per curiam (unsigned) opinion from the Supreme Court opinion issued late at night. Since then, some states have begun to institute their own eviction moratoria,… Read More »
Major Changes In Florida Community Association Law
On July 1, 2021, Senate Bill 630 was signed into law by Florida’s governor, making sweeping alterations to several of Florida’s community association laws. Major changes have come into effect with the law’s passage, and if you are a member of a homeowners’ association (HOA) or are under the aegis of a condominium board,… Read More »
What Is A FAR-BAR Contract?
The process of buying and selling a house in Florida is a fairly standard process in most cases, but there are still many details that can be missed without the right help. In order to help facilitate easier real estate transactions, the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) and the Florida Bar teamed up to… Read More »