Fund News and Alerts

By: Frederick W. Jones, Past President, Attorneys’ Real Estate Councils of Florida

Notice to Florida Residential Real Estate Attorneys – UPDATE

Re: Florida Realtor®–Attorney Joint Committee Appointments for the 2026–2027 Term
Deadline for Submitting Applications to The Florida Bar is October 27, 2025! 

The Attorneys’ Real Estate Council of Palm Beach County sponsored a novel event – Real Estate Professionals Night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on July 24.  

Fund Senior Manager, Legal Education, Michael Rothman presented Real Estate Agents Guide to Florida’s Condo Safety Laws Post Surfside to the Central Panhandle Association of Realtors® on June 10, and again to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors® on August 7.  

Do you save the day by saving deals? If you are, then you need to visit the Marketing resource page. We shared some of these resources at the Florida Realtors® Convention & Trade Show and you can too, so check it out today and add a little superpower to your marketing.  

DoubleTime will be retired in less than a year, and while that may sound far off, the process of finding and transitioning to a new closing software takes time. Starting now will give you the freedom to explore your options at your own pace. Take the first step and visit the Closing Software page.  DoubleTime Retires June 30, 2026!

As the saying goes, “death and taxes are the only two certain things in life.” This adage holds true in Florida, particularly when it comes to real estate transactions. The Florida documentary stamp tax, referred to here as the “stamp tax,” is an excise tax applied to certain documents related to real estate transactions, as outlined in Ch. 201, F.S. The stamp tax primarily affects real estate transactions in two areas — deeds and mortgages. However, there are plenty of other instances where the stamp tax can be triggered, which will be further explored in this article. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the basic principles behind the stamp tax, determine what documents are subject to it, and provide resources for further research. Read the article

Join us Tuesday, September 2, 9 & 16 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) ET The title insurance commitment plays a significant role in the closing of real estate transactions and can be a vital part of your journey to closing and issuance of the title insurance policy. This practical webinar examines and explains how to draft and meet the most commonly encountered Schedule B-I requirements and how to delete standard specific exceptions by complying with Fund guidelines and procedures.  Register Now

How to Use the Closing Software Buyer’s Guide  Before you dive into closing software demos or pricing, think about how you do business.  Which features are essential? What functionality is “nice but not necessary”? What could improve your process? The "Choosing Your Closing Software Buyer's Guide" includes questions to help you learn more about what each software offers your practice. Explore your options today!

For decades, we’ve helped Members successfully close commercial deals throughout Florida. Regardless of your deal’s size or scope, the commercial experience, expertise, and services you need to get it done right are right here.

Before you dive into closing software demos or pricing, think about how you do business.  Which features are essential? What functionality is “nice but not necessary”? What could improve your process?

The "Choosing Your Closing Software Buyer's Guide" includes questions to help you learn more about what each software offers your practice.