SB 1196 Goes to Governor Scott’s Desk: Will He Veto New Law That Ends Implied Warranty of Developers and Puts Burden on Homeowners’ Associations and Individual Florida Home Buyers?

Larry Tolchinsky | March 15, 2012

The Florida Legislature has passed SB 1196 and it’s setting on the Governor’s desk, awaiting his decision on whether to veto the darn thing or sign it into effective Florida law.   Here is the full text of the law: Section 553.835, Florida Statutes Implied warranties.— (1) The Legislature finds that the courts have reached different [...]

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Florida Illegal or Nonconforming Home Conversions Are Growing Problem: Florida Home and Condo Buyers Should Know Risks of Buying Home With Illegal Improvements

Larry Tolchinsky | March 1, 2012

The reality that Florida real estate is in a Wild West situation is known by most professionals in the real estate industry — but it just keeps getting more wild it seems.  Now, there is a growing problem with illegal home conversions – which potential buyers may know as “nonconforming conversions. ” Surf through sites [...]

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Florida Real Estate Closings Are Important: Checking Paperwork Details May Have Saved Florida Homeowners From Foreclosure Filing by Bank of America Eight Years Later

Larry Tolchinsky | January 10, 2012

At most real estate closings, there’s lots of paperwork.  Page after page of single-spaced language that has to be reviewed, and then  affirmed by the signor that they read and understood all that language in all those pages. Which is what  Barbara and Rick Borchers did when when they sold their Florida home eight years [...]

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The Short Sale Transaction in Florida: Things That the Seller (and Buyer) Need to Know Before Closing the Short Sale of a Florida Home – Clouds on Title

Larry Tolchinsky | January 3, 2012

The former chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (1987-97) and the current chief economist for Florida Realtors | Orlando gave his take this week on the current Florida real estate climate in an article written by Orlando Sentinel staff writer Mary Shanklin.  You can read the full article, entitled “Talking With … John [...]

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New Pew Study Finds Many Americans Think It’s Okay to Default on an Underwater Mortgage: Evaluating Your Options

Larry Tolchinsky | December 29, 2011

The Pew Research Center is one of the country’s most respected research firms, and here at year end, many are listening to what Pew is  reporting regarding Americans’ take on the foreclosure crisis and people not paying their mortgages.  What has Pew discovered? In answers to a Pew survey, thirty-six percent (36%) of Americans said [...]

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Florida Foreclosure Defense Basics: The Difference Between Your Note and Your Mortgage and Your Deed of Trust (and Why You Should Care About This)

Larry Tolchinsky | December 15, 2011

Florida home owners – especially those in trouble on their home loans and considering foreclosure, short sale, or what to do about their underwater mortgage – need to know the difference between some of the documents that they signed long ago when they bought their home. Note, Mortgage, Deed of Trust: what are they, what [...]

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Florida Families: As Parents Welcome Kids Back Home to Live, Conflict Between Student Loan Debt and the Kids’ Dream of Home Ownership

Larry Tolchinsky | December 13, 2011

Florida may be known as a tourist mecca, what with Miami’s metropolitan nightlife and Orlando’s Disney World, but the truth is that Florida is made up of lots and lots of families who love their Sunshine State.  We’re proud of our roots and there’s no time like the Holiday Season for families all over Florida [...]

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Home Appraisal Fraud Getting More Attention Including New Insurance Coverage for Bad Real Estate Appraisals

Larry Tolchinsky | November 29, 2011

Appraisal fraud is a big, big problem both in Florida and across the country. Now, it may be that this hole in the dam that is ForeclosureFraud may start to get fixed — there seems to be some movement towards fixing appraisal fraud and appraiser negligence. Appraisal Fraud Insurance Coverage Announced – For Lenders and [...]

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Short Sale Fraud Is a Growing Problem in Florida and U.S.: Freddie Mac Fights Back Against Short Sale Fraud With New Requirements

Larry Tolchinsky | November 22, 2011

As we all know, Florida has been hit hard by the U.S. Housing Crisis.  There are lots of Florida homeowners fighting against losing their home to foreclosure – and many of them are considering a short sale of their home.  Short sales can be great for both homeowners and lenders, if the banks are ready [...]

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FHA Has Zero Net Worth – What Does This Mean For Florida Homeowners?

Larry Tolchinsky | November 17, 2011

There are growing media reports that the FHA is in big financial trouble.  Is this true? What does this mean for South Florida – particularly Florida homeowners or those facing foreclosure problems in the Miami area? We’ve all heard about the FHA, but what is it?  FHA stands for the Federal Housing Administration, and it [...]

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