Real Estate Blog

Welcome to the Party, Pal.

You may have read some of the recent blogs about parties to a contract who acquired ownership through death or through fraudulent means. I’d like to provide a more broad overview regarding the simple question: who is the Buyer and who is the Seller in a real estate contract. Agents can sometimes be anxious…

Home for the Holidays: Becoming a Florida Resident

Last year on Thanksgiving morning, Mr. and Mrs. Turkey were beyond excited for their family to come over and celebrate their favorite holiday, except Thanksgiving didn’t happen… Their daughter, Sally Sweetpotato, was supposed to drive in from Ohio but got trapped in a snowstorm. Then, crazy aunt Paula Pilgrim forgot to buy the turkey…

When Can Estate Property Be Sold?

WHEN CAN THE PROPERTY BE LEGALLY SOLD? We are in the midst of a period of unprecedented demand for the sale and purchase of real estate. Because there are more interested buyers of real estate than there are properties available for sale, some would characterize this as a “seller’s market” (i.e., demand exceeding supply, putting…

PACE Disclosure: A Transaction’s Best Friend

PACE Disclosure This week’s article will address the recent addition of a new rider to the FAR/BAR Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase, the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Disclosure. Over the years, the movement towards clean energy and reduced emissions has gained momentum. From electric vehicles to solar panels, the clean energy movement has…

Business man wearing gloves and using computer - fraud, hacker, scammer, identity theft, cyber crime concept

Will the Real Seller Please Stand Up

New Age of Scammers It might go without saying, but as a real estate agent, it is important to know your client. You will be assisting in the purchase or sale process and helping them through an important stage in their life. However, in our interconnected world there is another, less discrete reason, why…

The Creature from the Black “Mold” Lagoon!

With Halloween just around the corner, it is only appropriate we save the most grotesque, frightening, and potentially deal breaking subject for last; mold! Given the climate of the tropical paradise we call home, this lurking menace is ever prevalent, ready to strike when you least expect it. In the previous version of the FAR/BAR…

FAR/BAR Contract Updates, Volume 4, – Sections 9, 10 and 18

This week’s article will address certain changes made to Sections 9, 10 and 18 of the contract, which covers closing costs, disclosures and the standards for real estate transactions. The changes made to these sections were, for the most part, not substantive in nature and designed to provide further clarification on current practices in the…

FAR/BAR Contract Updates: Volume 3-Section 8

This week’s contract updates are focused on the financing section of the contract and primary discuss the changes to the financing contingency. A copy of the redline version of the contract is available here, https://berlinpatten.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/03843547.pdf for reference. With the uptick of appraisal related issues that we have seen in the last year, it is no…

Knock, Knock…Who’s There?

This Article is a continuation of our discussion of the changes to the FAR/BAR Standard and “AS IS” contract forms. Section 6 of the Contract: Occupancy and Possession. The changes to this Section are important to keep in mind as we approach “season”. We have Buyers eager to take occupancy before closing and, we have…

Hot Off The Press! FAR/BAR Contract Updates Section 1

Well it’s that time of year where the FAR/BAR committee has updated its standard contract forms. They made several changes, some of which are quite substantive, and others of which are more ministerial. We know that everyone is anxious to understand the changes that were made, and more importantly, why. Since the changes are too…

Come Find Us

SARASOTA OFFICE
3700 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone: 941-954-9991
Fax: 941-954-9992
Get Directions »

VENICE OFFICE
247 Tamiami Trail South, Suite 201
Venice, FL 34285
Phone: 941-955-9991
Fax: 941-484-9992
Get Directions »

LAKEWOOD RANCH OFFICE
8433 Enterprise Circle, Suite 100
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone: 941-907-9022
Fax: 941-907-9024
Get Directions »

TAMPA OFFICE
324 S Hyde Park Ave
Suite 325,
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-467-7500
Fax: 813-251-1662
Get Directions »

ST. PETERSBURG OFFICE
525 1st Avenue North
St Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (941) 954-9991
Fax: (941) 954-9992
Get Directions »

Real Estate Blog

View All Blogs

Come Find Us