Fund News and Alerts

By: Richard Zaretsky, Esq., Richard P/ Zaretsky P.A. Attorneys at Law

There are people out there that are looking for your email address but they are neither buyers nor sellers. Their goal is for YOU to help them steal money from YOUR client. They are thieves, crooks, scoundrels, terrorists, and intentioned with the worst of motives. Why do I know about this - I just saw it happen!!

By: Connie Clark, Fund Sr. Underwriting Counsel

The party who customarily pays the owner’s title insurance policy premium in a residential transaction in Florida varies by county. In at least one county, who pays the premium depends on where the property is located within the county. For Fund Members writing or reviewing contracts for property located in a county where the Fund Member is not familiar with the local custom, this variability may create uncertainty.

By: Michael J Posner

In a previous column I mentioned the story of the Amityville, New York house, the scene of a gruesome family murder that was sold, led to claimed paranormal activity, movies, books and more sequels, all detailing the house’s sordid past and its alleged possession. That house has been occupied and sold repeatedly despite its infamy, and without further incident.

By: Michael J Posner

With the Maltz Theater bringing back Glengarry Glen Ross, I thought this would be a good time to look at how various real estate issues are portrayed in cinema. From bad salesmen, bad spouses, and bad ghosts, real estate has been a good issue as a backdrop to explore the relationship between individuals, from greed, envy and fear.

By: Jeffrey A. Grebe, Esq

Inspections and repairs in residential real estate transactions can be a major source of disputes between buyers and sellers. Many of these disputes arise simply because the parties (and often their real estate agents) do not fully understand or follow the inspection and repair procedures under the standard residential real estate contract. This article will attempt to “de-mystify” the inspection and repair procedures and help all parties avoid costly pitfalls.

BEFORE Preparing a Sales Contract

Florida’s homestead law is one of the most generous in the United States. Florida’s Constitution provides that homestead is (1) exempt from forced sale; (2) devise and alienation is restricted; and (3) homestead affords tax exemptions. Of primary importance to real estate agents are the restrictions on alienation of homestead property.

Owners Don’t Always Have a Right of Approval

Section 718.112(2) of the Florida Condominium Act provides as follows: “Except as otherwise provided in this Section, there shall be no material alteration or substantial addition to the common elements … except in the manner provided in the Declaration.”

ALTA is the national voice of the title insurance industry whose members include underwriters, agents and title insurance service providers such as The Fund. You may have recently received an invoice from The American Land Title Association, ALTA, for your 2014 membership dues or license for the use of ALTA’s policy forms.