Florida real estate investors have long used land trusts as a versatile legal tool with multiple benefits. The basic framework of a land trust is as follows: The property owner conveys title through a deed to the new owner, the trust. The trustee of the trust holds legal title, while the beneficiary owns a beneficial interest in […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
How to Avoid “Notice of Contract” Legal Land Mines in Real Estate Deals
A common investor buyer practice, especially among wholesalers, is to file a document in the public records to preserve their contract rights and “cloud” the property’s title in case the seller fails to honor the contract. Investors are taught to file a “notice of contract” or similar document, which will turn up during a title […]
How Permanent Insurance Fits Into Your Game Plan to Build and Protect Wealth
Permanent Insurance: Using the Two-Way Player Game Plan The pandemic caused me to watch more football this past season than any other. The game has changed much over the years. One remnant of a bygone era is the “two-way player,” who played both offense and defense. With a few rare exceptions, the two-way player is […]
How to Use Seller-Financing to Generate Income From Inherited Real Estate
Inheriting Real Estate I previously have written about considerations for heirs inheriting real estate in Florida who want to sell the property, such as in this blog article: https://www.legalteamusa.net/strategic-default-appropriate-decision/. Now, I’ll discuss issues related to how heirs can generate income through seller-financing an estate property. Many heirs have a greater need for income than to […]
What Is Probate and Should You Avoid It?
For many families, avoiding probate may be a worthwhile endeavor in which to invest time and money. Estate planners, wealth management advisors and attorneys have built an industry helping people bypass probate. However, there are also common misconceptions about probate and the need to avoid it. To help give you a better understanding of the […]
What Investors Should Know Before Buying Foreclosure Properties
Foreclosures A foreclosure surge is coming. The recession, unemployment, continuing pandemic crisis, and end of government foreclosure moratoriums and lender forbearance plans will lead to the next housing crisis. During the previous foreclosure wave, most homes were “upside down,” as values sank below the mortgage debt and created a short sale market. This time, foreclosure […]
New Florida Law SB 1084 on Emotional Support Animals in Housing Is Effective July 1
Emotional Support Animal Laws in Florida The Florida legislature recently passed SB 1084 to create clarity and more consistent legal standards for emotional support animals (ESA) in housing. On July 1, 2020, the law went into effect. This article discusses some of the most significant aspects of the new law. People with disabilities and disability-related […]
Real Estate Market and COVID-19 Crisis: Impacts, Lessons and Plans
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has pushed the U.S., and the rest of the world, into an economic recession. All stakeholders in the real estate market – lenders, borrowers, landlords, and tenants – will suffer consequences, and many, severely. To help those who are affected understand and respond to the impacts, this article reviews the current […]
What New Real Estate Investors Should Know About Wholesaling
Real Estate & Wholesaling Real estate investing should be part of every wealth-building strategy. In Florida, we’ve enjoyed a hot real estate market for several years after recovering from the historic crash and global recession of a decade ago. A popular investing strategy, especially for new investors, is called wholesale investing or “wholesaling.” I have […]
Ways to Sell Real Estate with Deferred Payment: Seller-Financing and Option Agreements
Many property-owners encounter opportunities to sell their properties in unconventional ways. Often, these opportunities involve selling to a buyer who will not fully pay the purchase price, whether with cash or lender-financing, up front. There are situations beneficial to the seller to consider such options. This article will summarize two common scenarios for deferred payment […]
