Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Real Estate & Probate In Florida
When a person passes away, and their will is read, it is not uncommon for them to have left real property or land to one or more of their heirs. However, before the person’s heir can take possession of the property (or sell it, should they wish), the bequest usually has to go through… Read More »
Woman Arrested & Charged Over Real Estate Scam
In May 2022, a woman from Loxahatchee was charged with multiple fraud crimes after she stole thousands of dollars in a real estate scam spanning six Florida counties. She listed properties for sale or rent without the residents’ knowledge, and then posed as both the owners and as a title agent in order to… Read More »
HOA Disputes & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Disputes between members of a homeowners’ association (HOA) and its board are fairly common, but the methods by which they are resolved will differ. Community associations in Florida have quite a lot of power, but they cannot simply act with impunity. One of the requirements that the law imposes is that most disagreements between… Read More »
Landlord & Tenant Rights And Responsibilities In Florida
In this day and age, more and more people are opting to rent their homes instead of buying them. Many Floridians prefer the flexibility of renting, while others feel obligated. Regardless of one’s motives for choosing to rent, it is always important to be aware of the rights and responsibilities of both landlord and… Read More »
Major Changes To Florida Condo Law After Surfside
On June 24, 2021, the south tower at Champlain Towers in Surfside, FL partially collapsed, killing 98 and rendering all of the 136 units in the tower uninhabitable. While the ultimate cause of the collapse is still under investigation as of this writing, Florida’s legislature has seen fit to start the process of preventing… Read More »
Florida Passes New Condominium Safety Bill
After the June 24, 2021 partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, FL, which killed 98 people, Florida lawmakers immediately began to search for ways to improve the safety regulations and general standard of living for condo dwellers all across Florida. In late May 2022, the Governor signed what is known as the… Read More »
Breach Of Contract In Florida Real Estate Sales
Real estate transactions are often highly complex, with many moving parts. Each party is making a legally binding commitment to perform their part of the contract – but sometimes, one party will fail to do as they have promised. This is what is known as a material breach of the real estate contract, and… Read More »
Short-Term Rentals In Florida Community Associations
With the continuing popularity of Florida real estate, both for relocation and for vacations, more and more people are renting out their homes and condos for short-term use. However, this is not done in a vacuum; short-term rentals may be godsends to unit owners, but they can be nightmares to the neighbors and to… Read More »
Explaining Florida Real Estate Liens
A lien is a claim against a person’s assets that can be used to satisfy a debt. There are several different types of liens that may be levied on a piece of Florida property, but too often, an owner or prospective owner is unaware of a lien until they are forced to deal with… Read More »
The Role Of A Property Management Company In Florida
Approximately half of all Floridians live under either a homeowners’ association (HOA) or a condominium association, governed by their respective boards of directors. There are advantages to living in a community of this type; the association by-laws help to avoid potential disputes between neighbors and establish guidelines to keep the community’s “curb appeal” high…. Read More »