If you own a home in Florida, you probably know that there are a few circumstances that can threaten your rights as a property owner. At Grimaldi Law Firm, we aim to keep you, your finances, and your property safe, which is why we’re sharing all you need to know about protecting your property rights.
Unfortunately, running into problems as a homeowner may sometimes have nothing to do with you at all. If you’re purchasing a home that was once owned by someone else, it’s important to go the extra mile to ensure you’re not stepping into their mess, literally or figuratively.
Take, for example, this story about an unknowing couple from Missouri:
The Parker’s* had purchased a home from their landlord, who had previously taken out a loan of almost $420,000 to invest in multiple properties. When a title search was performed, this lien was missed, so instead of paying off the lien with the Parker’s money, the landlord received the funds instead. Despite being up to date with their own mortgage payments and doing everything by the book, their former landlord’s bank sent a letter to the Parker’s saying that their home would be auctioned since no payments had been made towards the lien.
Scary situation, right? Imagine being told you had to cough up a huge amount of cash because of someone else’s mistake?
Luckily, the Parker’s Real Estate Attorney had advised them to purchase an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy. Without the help of their attorney, the Parker’s would have never been educated on the potential “what if’s” of buying their new dream home. Their lawyer’s advice kept them from ending up with a foreclosure sign on their front lawn, and also shielded them from having to be responsible for some serious debt. In the end, this insurance policy meant that the title insurance company was responsible for paying the lien. The Parker’s kept their home.
Because the couple purchased an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy, the title insruancecompany paid the lien and the husband and wife kept their home.
There is no better decision to make when buying a home in Florida than to hire a Florida Real Estate Attorney who is on your side. Only your Real Estate attorney can:
- Answer your legal questions pertaining to your closing.
- Decipher the ‘legalese’ of any documents you are signing.
- Resolve any issues with the title and/or existing contract.
- Give you legal advice as needed.
And this means ensuring that all research is done so that you’re never left in a lurch. This is exactly what we mean when we say that at Grimaldi Law Firm, your future is our present.
*Names have been changed for privacy
Melinda Grimaldi is an attorney in Hollywood, Florida, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of commercial and residential real estate and estate planning law.
She can be reached at (954) 491-8707
or
melinda@grimaldi-law.com
Special Note
The information on this blog is of a general nature and is not intended to answer any individual’s legal questions. Do not rely on information presented herein to address your individual legal concerns. If you have a legal question about your individual facts and circumstances, you should consult an experienced real estate attorney. Your receipt of information from this website or blog does not create an attorney-client relationship and the legal privileges inherent therein.
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