Florida Realtors Legal News

On Jan. 1, authorization for remote notarizations became law, meaning buyers and sellers no longer have to be in the same room. But not all notaries can offer this service.

Here's what you need to know about this new form,  available for use in the event COVID-19 impacts the transaction. 

Monroe County charged a man for “knowingly and willfully” providing false information to officials so he could get a homestead exemption on his property tax bill.

Also: If owners pay fitness-center dues, can the board arbitrarily change operating hours? And may a 15-year elevator contract be axed after the developer leaves?

A Florida Realtors Legal Hotline caller got pulled over during her call, and it’s important to note that it’s now illegal to operate a “handheld wireless communications device” while driving in some areas. 

A look at how to know when it’s time to hire, whom to hire first and how to keep it all organized.

Open and expired permits can delay closings, but the new Florida law allows local governments to close permits after six years in most cases. The online notary law will make it easier for buyers and sellers to close without being physically present.

Also: Should condo boards hold their meetings at a consistent time and place? And a Florida statute limits board members to eight-year terms – but is this retroactive or did the eight-year rule start the day the law became effective – July 1, 2018?

A suits, filed by single law firm, target Florida property managers who allegedly refused to rent to applicants based on previous criminal convictions. 

A binding contract to purchase real estate only requires "consideration," which is defined as something of value offered for something else of value.