Real Estate Services

Our real estate practice is primarily a personal service and counseling service for buyers and sellers.  We try to avoid a volume closing mill, which is only concerned with getting parties in and out of their closings.  We also add other necessary services.  As attorneys we can draft additional closing documents that are needed for the specific transaction.  We can form entities to hold title.  We can draft leases.  We can prepare condominium and subdivision documents.  We can counsel clients as to how a particular transaction can be coordinated with their estate plan.  Title companies are not allowed to practice law, and therefore are not allowed to do most of those things.  Many attorneys who do real estate only perform part of those functions.  We try to provide a comprehensive relationship so that the parties are confident that all of their needs are addressed.

Real Estate: Buying, selling, financing and leasing real estate is an important part of anyone's business.  We assist in contract or lease preparation, and perform all closing and title insurance related services. 

Closing Agent Services:  We serve as closing agent for commercial and residential property transactions.  This includes holding escrow deposits in our trust accounts, working closely with lenders, realtors and mortgage brokers to coordinate document signings, ordering of payoffs and scheduling of surveys and inspections and coordinating loan document signing and payoffs.  We also serve as closing agent for business sales of assets (go to our Business Services section).

Title Insurance:  We are licensed agents for Attorneys Title Insurance Fund and Old Republic Title Services. We offer all types of Title Insurance and give reissue credit whenever possible based on Florida's promulgated rates. Please contact us for more information.

Contracts  Preparation: Whether your transaction involves commercial or residential property we can draft the contract for you. We meet with you to determine all aspects of the transaction then customize the contract to your transaction. We prepare all types of contracts including, Commercial and Residential Purchase Agreements, Options, Leasebacks and a variety of related documentation.  

 Leasing:  We will take you through all the nuances of leasing. Whether it involves commercial space or a leaseback of residential property we will customize a lease to fit your needs. 

Loan Documentation and Private Funding: We represent lenders in real estate closings and customize loan documents to fit the needs of the transaction.  We have clients who prefer to utilize private funding both from a lending perspective and a borrowing perspective. We draft the documents needed to make the transaction quick, easy and legal.

Subdivisions and Condominiums:   We represent developers and help with establishing Homeowner's and Condominium Associations.  We are involved with the project from the beginning so we can draft Homeowners Association or Condominium Association Articles, Bylaws and Schedules appropriately. We also work closely with the architects and surveyors and handle the filings with the County. We also help establish the Associations business status (see our Business Services section for information on Establishing a Business).

Construction: We handle all aspects of construction transactions from developing the contract to closing the deal. We represent both the private individual and the large developers.

1031 Exchanges: Many times a 1031 exchange of property can be beneficial to someone who is selling and buying property in a reasonably short period of time. With many people relocating to Florida and to the Gulf Coast in particular we are well aware of the laws and restrictions regarding 1031 exchanges. We work closely with your CPA and Qualified Intermediary to determine if this option is right for you and guide you through the process.

Reverse Mortgages: As the Baby Boomers retire many people are looking to subsidize their retirement income.  A reverse mortgage may be the way to go. We have professionals who are proficient in the closing of reverse mortgages and can make them easy for the senior population to understand.

Short Sales: With the economy in its current downslide many people are finding it hard to keep their good credit rating intact. We have seen a tremendous increase of foreclosure and bankruptcy filings and can advise you on the pros and cons of a short sale and its alternatives.

Resources and Links

Florida Clerks - http://www.flclerks.com

Sarasota Tax Collector - http://www.sarasotataxcollector.com

Manatee Tax Collector - http://www.taxcollector.com/

Manatee County Property Appraiser - http://www.propertyappraiser.com

Sarasota County Property Appraiser - http://www.sarasotaproperty.net

Sunbiz - http://www.sunbiz.org