Florida Real Estate - boyerlawfirmblog.com

Tim Tebow Purchasing Commercial, Residential Property in Jacksonville

If you are a college football fan, then you have probably heard of the previous University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who played high school football for Nease High School in Jacksonville, Florida.

After a short career in the NFL, Tebow has begun to set roots back in Jacksonville. He recently purchased both residential and commercial properties in Northeast Florida.

According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, Tebow recently purchased a $1.4 Million home on the Southside area of Jacksonville, and on Monday, just a few weeks later, he purchased a new commercial property, a restaurant in Oakleaf Town Center, for $850,000.00.

It is not uncommon for U.S. and foreign entrepreneurs to purchase both a commercial property to run a business as well as a residential property in which to live.

When you are starting a business, there are a lot of other factors that need to be considered.

Here at Boyer Law Firm, P.L. we are equipped to assist you in the purchase of both commercial and residential real estate, as well as other areas of law. Using the same law firm to assist you in multiple matters can be beneficial in many ways. These include developing a relationship with you attorney and the staff, being able to go to the same place for all of your legal needs, and not having to perform repetitive work, such as providing basic information to different firms.

In addition to both commercial and residential real estate, we can assist you with our other specialty areas, such as immigration visas, business formations, and estate planning. Contact us today to see the many ways we can assist you in both your professional and personal affairs.

Investment in Real Estate in Florida for International Clients

As a Board Certified Expert in International Law, Attorney Boyer and his staff assist foreign and international clients with the purchase of both residential and commercial real estate in Florida.

We assist foreign and international clients with the purchase and sale of single-family homes, multi-unit apartment complexes, retail business locations, hotels, shopping centers, and more.

Our office is equipped to cater to the overseas purchaser through electronic documents and signatures, a network of email and telephone communication, and referrals to additional professionals you may need if you do not speak English or prefer to converse in your native language.

In addition to assisting you with the purchase of your home or commercial real estate in Florida, Attorney Boyer can also assist you in other matters, such as immigration and visas, business creation and planning, and much more.

Because we are equipped to handle international real estate transactions, we also apply that to our domestic real estate transactions. Our procedures to handle international transactions make domestic transactions that much more convenient for everyone involved.

If you are interested in purchasing or selling a home in Florida, then it is never too early to contact Boyer Law Firm, P.L. to assist you with the transaction. There may be steps we can take before you even make an offer on the property that will expedite the process.

Whether you are a Florida resident or a foreign investor, Boyer Law Firm’s international real estate attorneys can assist you with the purchase or sale of your property in Florida.

Spring Cleaning For Your Business: Florida Corporation or Florida LLC

There are many entrepreneurs who have multiple interest and, as a result, have multiple businesses or multiple aspects to their current business.

If you are an entrepreneur who is thinking about expanding your business into an additional area, then it may be a good idea to create a new company, whether it be a Florida Corporation or Florida LLC.

For example, you may want one entity for your real estate transactions and a separate entity for your retail sales.

If your business is domesticated in another state or country, and you are considering doing business in Florida, then you must register to do business with the State of Florida.

There are many factors when determining what type of business entity (Florida LLC, Florida Corporation, etc.) is best for your business, including asset protection, liability and more. If you are unsure that your business formation is the correct model for your business, then you should schedule a business planning meeting with a Florida business law attorney to discuss your options.

If you are interested in forming/incorporating your Florida Corporation or Florida LLC, or you would like to schedule a business planning meeting to discuss your options with our business law attorneys, then contact Boyer Law Firm, P.L. today.

Why You Need an Attorney for Florida Commercial Rentals

Florida commercial rental properties can be an excellent first or second source of income.

There is money to be made in the Real Estate Market, and the two best ways to make money in this market are through house flipping or owning rental properties. Florida commercial rental properties will obviously provide you with a greater return than residential properties, as the cost of Florida commercial real estate is greater in general, but Florida commercial rentals are also more complicated than residential rentals.

Florida commercial rental Lease Agreements can be up to 75 pages long and very complex, which is why it is important to have a Florida real estate attorney review the lease agreement, whether you are the landlord or the tenant.

If you are the owner of a residential property, whether it be an apartment complex, a single-family home, or a condo, then it is also important for a real estate attorney to review the lease agreements.

Additionally, you want to make sure that the property you purchase to rent out has a “clear title.” This is done by hiring an experienced closing attorney to handle your real estate closing. If the property does not have a clear title, then you could run into various, serious problems, especially if you are going to rent out the property to a third party.

If you are interested in purchasing a property to rent out or have a commercial lease agreement you need reviewed, contact Boyer Law Firm, P.L. today.

Can I Pick the Closing Agent if I am Purchasing Property in Florida?

Although it is customary in the industry for the Seller of a property to pick the Florida closing agent, it is beneficial to the Buyer of a property to choose the closing agent, especially if the buyer is from another country and/or English is not their first language.

Here at Boyer Law Firm, P.L., we have helped many domestic and foreign individuals, couples, and families purchase property in Florida.

We have experienced situations and in which a title company not headed by an attorney performed a title search in which they found only five (5) items that needed to be completed. When Boyer Law Firm, P.L. performed a title search on the same property in Florida, we found twelve (12) items, almost double of the original search and several of which were critical.

Since Title Insurance rates are set by the State of Florida, and are therefore uniform in the amount, there is no financial savings in choosing a title company over an attorney. Most attorney are title insurance agents for Attorney’s Title Services, which is considered the reference in the real estate industry. Only attorneys can join/use this Title Service, which is of the highest quality in diligence and conveying a clear and marketable title.

Who picks the Florida Closing Agent in a Real Estate Transaction?

Although there is no law regarding who picks the closing agent in a Florida real estate transaction, it is customary for the Seller of the property to choose the Florida Closing Agent. It is also customary for the party who chooses the closing agent to pay the “closing costs,” such as the deed recording, the title search, etc.

Specific closing costs vary on each real estate transaction.

If you are the seller of a piece of Florida real estate, you want to choose the Closing Agent so you will have control of the security deposit if the buyer chooses not to close and the contract provides for a non-refundable deposit. If the Closing Agent also acts as the Escrow Agent in the transaction, then the security deposit should be held in a trust account until the transaction is completed.

If you hire a Florida Real Estate Attorney as your Florida Closing Agent, they may be able to easily satisfy some of the items required by the Title Company before Title Insurance can be issued to the buyer. These items may consist of documents that are legally binding and should be drafted by an attorney.

If someone is interested in purchasing your home or business, then contact Boyer Law Firm’s Florida Residential and Commercial Real Estate Attorneys today.

Difference: Florida Residential & Florida Commercial Real Estate

Two types of properties when it comes to Florida Real Estate are Residential and Commercial.

Residential real estate refers to properties intended for people to reside in, such as houses, apartments, etc. Commercial real estate refers to a building or land intended to generate profit from capital gain or rental income, such as a storefront, apartment complex, office building, mall, etc.

It is important to differentiate between these two types of real estate when hiring a Florida real estate attorney because the process of buying or renting these properties can be very different.

Here at Boyer Law Firm, we concentrate on buying and selling both residential and commercial properties, and we handle commercial rentals and commercial landlord/tenant issues. We do not practice residential landlord tenant issues or assist tenants with residential leases.

If you are interested in purchasing a commercial property, then our commercial real estate attorneys can assist you with determining whether you should buy or rent the property. Commercial real estate transactions can be must more complex then residential real estate transactions, which is why it is important to hire a Florida commercial real estate attorney.

When renting a commercial property, it is important to have a Florida commercial real estate attorney review the lease agreement BEFORE you sign it. Remember, a lease agreement is a contract which can run up to 75 pages long! We have received many calls from people attempting to get out of a bad commercial lease agreement, and their issues could have been solved in a much easier and cost-efficient way if they had hired an attorney to review the lease before they signed it.

Our residential real estate attorneys can assist you in purchasing a Florida residential property in a quick and efficient manner. It is important to hire an experienced residential real estate attorney to assist you with the closing, including making sure the property has a clear title, which is done through a title search. If a proper title search is not performed on the property, then the buyer can potentially be stuck with many detrimental issues, such as these horror stories.

Contact our office today to see how our Florida real estate attorneys can assist you.

Can I Accept a Florida Quit Claim Deed When I Purchase a Property?

When purchasing a residential or commercial property, there are generally two types of deeds in Florida that will be used: a Warranty Deed and a Quit Claim Deed.

As a general rule, it is a bad idea to accept a Florida Quit Claim Deed instead of a Warranty Deed, especially if a proper title search has not been performed on the property. A proper title search should be conducted by a Florida closing attorney.

In most cases, if you purchase the property with a Quit Claim Deed, you may be subjecting yourself to many vulnerabilities, such as unpaid mortgages, unpaid property taxes, liens or encumbrances on the property, or even purchasing a property from someone who is not the owner! This is why it is generally a bad idea to accept a Florida Quit Claim Deed.

A Quit Claim Deed simply transfers any ownership the “seller” may have in the property (which could potentially be NO ownership) to the buyer without any guarantees as to the condition of the property.

There are, however, some cases where a Florida Quit Claim Deed may be acceptable, such as in a divorce, the probating of an estate (especially when there are many owners), and other specific cases.

If the seller of the property you want to purchase is offering you a Quit Claim Deed instead of a Warranty Deed or you believe a Quit Claim Deed would better fit your needs, then you should contact a Florida Real Estate Attorney immediately to ensure that you are protected.

Florida Commercial Lease Agreements

Location, Location, Location. Even with the increase in e-commerce, most Florida businesses still need a physical location from which to run their enterprise.

These Florida commercial real estate transactions can be much more complex than residential real estate transactions, which is why it is important to hire an attorney who specializes in commercial real estate to assist you with the purchase or lease of a commercial property.

Florida commercial lease agreements are often very expensive and long-term. If you sign a commercial lease agreement without fully understanding what you are signing, then some of the terms could potentially be detrimental to your business. In addition, if you are able to get out of a bad lease agreement, then it will most likely be a very expensive process.

The best way to protect yourself from becoming the victim of a bad Florida commercial lease agreement is to have a commercial real estate attorney review the document. Here at Boyer Law Firm, our commercial real estate attorneys are also experts in business law, allowing them to provide additional support through the commercial real estate process.

If you are interested in purchasing or leasing a piece of commercial real estate, then contact Boyer Law Firm today.

No Personal Income Tax in Florida Entices Individuals and Companies

There is a “Mass Exodus” of money moving from New York to Florida, according to Bloomberg Television, due to the difference of personal income tax between the states.

The super-rich are moving from New York City to Florida because Florida does not put a price on income, meaning that there is no personal income tax in Florida. Florida is one of only nine states that does not charge a personal income tax, and moving to Florida from another state could save an individual 6 – 13% on their income.

Individuals are not the only ones moving to Florida; we are also seeing companies and major corporations moving to Florida as well. Hertz has recently consolidated operations out of Oklahoma, New Jersey for Fort Meyers, Lee County, Florida, and ADT, Verizon, and others are following suit.

The nine states with low personal income tax are doing well with their state budget due to growth in the private sector. The lack of personal income tax in Florida is just one of the reasons that it is great to live and do business in Florida.

No Personal Income Tax In Florida: WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

What to Do Before Closing on a Property

When purchasing a home or office space, there are many factors to consider before closing on a property. Once you have found a property that you think you want to purchase, you want to make sure that you do your research before the closing.

Before you make an offer on the property, it may be a good idea to hire a Florida real estate closing attorney to perform a title search on the property, but at the very least, a title search should be performed before closing on the property.

Additionally, you want to make sure of the following before closing on a property:

-          A proper title search was conducted and the property is now free of all liens and encumbrances. If a proper title search is not performed, then you may end up in a horror story situation where the previous owner’s debts become yours.
-          A home inspection was performed on the property. Don’t put this off to the last minute.
-          Verify, or have your closing attorney verify, that all utility bills are up to date including electric, water, etc.
-          Determine if flood insurance will be required, as flood insurance rates are expected to increase by 25 percent.

Don’t wait until the last minute to have these items completed. You should contact a Florida real estate closing attorney at least three weeks before the date of your closing if you are currently in Florida, and more than a month before if you are overseas, in order for the closing to be performed correctly.

Jacksonville Hotel Market Improving

The Embassy Suites Hotel on Baymeadows Road in Jacksonville, Florida, located right by our Jacksonville office, sold to a group of hotel investors from San Diego for $8.8 million, or $41,900 per room, on October 10.

The Jacksonville hotel market has been steadily improving, and this trend is expected to continue; Revenue per room is up 9 percent from the beginning of the year. This buy is expected to be profitable for the buyers for the following reasons:

- The Baymeadows/Southside area of Jacksonville is home to about 45% of all office space within the Jacksonville market.

- Jacksonville is consistently rated one of the “Hottest Cities in America” for business expansions and relocations according to Expansion Management Magazine

- Jacksonville has been in the “Top 10” of that magazine for eight straight years and is the only city to claim the number one spot three times.

Because of the large investment and number of staff required to run a hotel, many foreign investors who purchase a hotel will also qualify for an EB5 visa. If you are interested in purchasing a Jacksonville hotel or starting another type of business, contact Boyer Law Firm’s business, immigration, and commercial real estate attorneys today.

Miami Luxury Condo Prices are Rising

At an asking price of almost $1,000 per square foot, the Miami luxury condo market is seeing a drastic increase in prices, and this trend is expected to continue.

There are currently about 10 luxury condo resales with a minimum asking price of $1.7 million, or $750 per square foot, which are under contract in downtown Miami. However, according to Condo Vultures, there are 85 more resales available, and their asking price is an average of $970 per square foot. This difference in pricing illustrates how quickly Miami luxury condo prices are rising.

Miami-Dade did not have the biggest increase in median sales (Broward County did with more than a 20 percent increase), it did have the highest median price at $159,000, a 5 percent increase from last year.

If you are interested in buying or selling a Miami luxury condo, then contact one of Boyer Law Firm’s real estate attorneys today.

Florida Closing Attorney for House Flipping in Jacksonville

Jacksonville home prices and house flipping are on the rise. Home prices in Jacksonville, Florida, jumped 18% in September, and the number of closed sales was up 25.1%.

Although home prices have risen, there are still “bargain basement properties” on the market, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal, and house flipping in Jacksonville has increased in the third financial quarter of 2013.

House flipping refers to a property that is bought and resold within six months. Most house-flippers will do this for multiple properties, often at the same time. One of the greatest assets that a Jacksonville house-flipper can have is a reliable and experienced real estate closing attorney who can ensure that the closings on these properties are done correctly and efficiently.

Here at Boyer Law Firm, we have helped both individuals and companies with house-flipping. If you are house flipping in Jacksonville, we understand that you need the closing to be done quickly so that you can earn your profit and move onto the next property, so contact us today.

A Title Search is a Must When Purchasing a Property

Owner’s title insurance protects the owner of a property against any mistakes that may have been made during the title search. A title search is a search of all official records on the property. It guarantees that there are no other owners of the property, that the person selling you the property is the legal owner, and that there are no liens or encumbrances on the property.

If issues are found in the title search, then the title company will provide the closing agent with a list of items, called a Commitment, that need to be fixed before they can issue title insurance on the property. This list of issues may include an unpaid mortgage on the property, liens from contractors or other workers who were unpaid, property taxes that were unpaid, and more.

There have been horror stories throughout Florida of fake closing agents and fake title companies that will claim a property is free and clear without even performing a title search.

If the closing agent ignores these items, then they will not be covered by the title insurance, and they will become your debts.

This is why it is so important to choose a reliable, experienced closing agent, preferably a real estate attorney. Here at Boyer Law Firm, our experienced closing agents ensure that every item on the Commitment is fixed and that the title is truly free and clear.

South Florida Business on the Rise

After being hit hard by the Recession, South Florida businesses are bouncing back. Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties have seen a 3.6 percent increase in business compared to the national average of only 0.3 percent.

A large number of these businesses are created by an influx of foreign investment and local entrepreneurs, especially in tech start-ups, and it has greatly helped the South Florida business economy.

“South Florida is becoming this burgeoning start-up community,” said one tech entrepreneur who recently started a business in Fort Lauderdale. He also said that he and other local investor have more money to invest because “the real estate market is on the upswing, both commercial and residential.”

If you are interested in starting a business or purchasing a property in South Florida, contact Boyer Law Firm today. We can help you with incorporation services, investment visas, including E2 and EB5 visas, business planning, and more.

Source: Sun Sentinel

Florida Owner’s Title Insurance Horror Story

A Jacksonville mother and son decided to buy a property from someone who they thought was a friend without obtaining proper Owner’s Title Insurance. The three made a verbal agreement in which the mother and son would pay the friend a down payment and then monthly payments for the remainder of the purchase price.

This agreement was illegal because the Florida Statute of Frauds requires that real estate transactions have to be in writing to be enforceable.

After making payments on the property for a while, the mother and son learned the harsh truth: There were judgments against the property, the taxes on the property were delinquent, their “friend” not the owner of the property, and he was currently incarcerated.

The moral of the story is that there is no substitute or excuse for not performing a proper title search and obtaining Owner’s Title Insurance on any real estate purchase that you make.

It is so important to choose a reliable, experienced real estate attorney to perform this task. Here at Boyer Law Firm, P.L., our experienced closing agents can ensure that a proper title search is performed and that proper Owner’s Title Insurance is obtained.

Source: Florida Times-Union

How to Lose Your Property: Don’t Do a Title Search

When purchasing a property, one of the most important things is to perform a proper title search and purchase title insurance. If you do not, then you could very easily lose that property.

Forgery:

If a title search is not performed, then there is no way of knowing that the person selling you the house is the actual owner of the house. They could be a neighbor who knows that the actual owners go out of town for several months a time. They could have an ex-spouse, sibling, or other person on the title who does not want to sell the property. If you purchase a house from someone who is not the owner, or is just a partial owner, then you DO NOT own the house.

Contractor’s Lien Claim

If the person you buy the house from has had work done on the property and did not pay the contractor, or the contractor did not pay the sub-contractors, sub-sub-contractors or materials men, then there will be a lien, or debt, placed on the property. If you do not perform a proper title search, then this debt will become yours when you purchase the property, and the lien placed could potentially be more than the value of the property.

Easement

An easement occurs when a piece of the property extends onto another person’s land. If this easement is done without permission of the land owner, then the new owner of the property could be forced to deconstruct the portion of the structure that is located on that property, costing them time and money.

Zoning and Building Restrictions

These can also be detrimental to a purchaser who does not perform a title search. What if you purchase a property to start a business only to find out that it can only be used for residential purposes? You are out of luck. What if the building that you purchased is not up to code or building regulations? It is now your responsibility to fix it, once again costing you time and money.

The best way to prevent any of these situations from happening is to hire an experienced real estate attorney to ensure that a proper title search is performed and that you receive title insurance on the property.

Florida Deeds and Florida Real Estate Closing Attorneys

A Florida deed is the legal document that is issued to transfer the ownership or interest in a piece of real property.

The two most common ways to transfer ownership of real property in Florida is through either a Warranty Deed or a quitclaim deed. In both cases, the grantor is the person who is selling, or relinquishing their ownership of the property, to the grantee.

All Florida deeds must be signed by the grantor in the presence of a notary public.

A warranty deed provides protections including verifying that the seller is who they say they are and the assurance that there is a clear title, meaning that there are no liens on the property. This assurance is done through a title search performed by a Florida real estate closing attorney or agent.

A quit claim deed is when the grantor does not wish to make any warranties to the grantee. The deed simply transfers all the “right, title, and interest“ to the grantee. Although a quit-claim deed is usually a cheaper option, it is usually not the best idea because it does not guarantee that the grantor is the actual owner of the property, and it does not guarantee that the property is free of liens or encumbrances.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property, it is important to hire an experienced Florida real estate closing attorney to ensure that the transaction is done correctly.

Investing in Florida Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate is a property that is designed solely for business purposes in order to make a profit. Types of commercial real estate include malls, office parks, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and office towers. Industrial real estate, which is used for manufacturing and production purposes, can also be considered a type of commercial real estate.

Investing in Florida commercial real estate can produce a great income for the owner, but it usually requires a considerable amount of start-up capital. Also, you should be sure to have assistance in the legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of owning a piece of Florida commercial real estate.

Boyer Law Firm’s real estate attorneys can help you with every aspect of owning a Florida commercial real estate property including finding the property, negotiating the Purchase/Sale agreement, the closing on the property, drafting and reviewing leases for tenants, and much more. Contact us today to see how we can help you invest in Florida commercial real estate.

Although simply investing in Florida commercial real estate is not a path to an investors’ visa, Boyer Law Firm may be able to help you create a business that buys, sells, and manages real estate. If the investment is great enough, it may lead to an investors’ visa, such as an E2 or EB5 visa.

Buy a Florida Mansion for the Price of an English Flat

House prices in England and Wales reached an all-time high in July primarily due to a huge demand for property. Due to these high home prices, many English residents are buying real estate elsewhere, including Florida.

The average price of a two-bedroom flat or maisonette in Wales is currently £230,000, or approximately $357,098.00. According to YourMoney.com, you can get a Florida mansion for the price of an English flat, specifically a five bedroom home complete with theater room, billiard room, and a swimming pool with a mini-waterfall in a gated golf complex in Winter Garden, Florida.

There are many beautiful properties throughout Florida. Whether you are interested in purchasing a summer home or a permanent residence in Florida, contact Boyer Law Firm’s Real Estate Attorneys today.

Source: YourMoney.com

Florida House Flipping On the Rise Again

Florida house flipping is a profitable business. Large companies such as Taylor Morrison, Neal Communities, Lennar, and Pulte group are capitalizing on the declining inventory of homes for sale, increased demand from buyers, low interest rates, the improving economy, and greater consumer confidence.

Florida currently is responsible for 13 percent of house flipping nationwide, second only to California, according to a study published by RealtyTrac. The average gross profit for Florida house-flipping in Daytona was 82 percent! Jacksonville ranked sixth with an average of 16 percent, and Orlando ranked 15^th with an average of 10 percent.

Florida house flipping is not just for giant companies. Individuals can make a profit from house flipping, or they can turn their “hobby” into a small- to – medium sized business, which may then grow into a larger company. For foreign investors, this could be a path towards a visa or permanent residence.

If you are simply looking for a closing agent, or if you are interested in starting a Florida house-flipping company, Boyer Law Firm’s experience business law and real estate law attorneys can help, so contact us today.

Sources: Herald Tribune and Florida Current

Owning an Apartment Complex in Florida

Owning an apartment complex in Florida or a commercial building in Florida that rents spaces to businesses can be a great investment, especially for foreign investors who want to live in Florida. For example, Ytech International recently started $6 million renovation on Crystal Lakes Apartments in Miami Gardens, and they expect the renovation to be complete within 60 days.

“There is tremendous demand in the north part of Miami-Dade County, and south Broward County, for affordable rental housing,” said Yamal Yidios Char, president and CEO of Ytech International.

Although, in some cases, it is more affordable to buy a house than to rent, there will always be a market for renting both residential and commercial spaces. If you are interested in owning an apartment complex in Florida or purchasing a similar investment, contact Boyer Law Firm’s real estate and business attorneys today.

Source: South Florida Business Journal

Gov. Scott in Paris to Encourage International Real Estate Buyers

In support of the Florida Real Estate Industry, Governor Rick Scott, Florida Realtor’s President Dean Asher, and Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree traveled to Paris on a trade mission that took place June 16-21 at the 50^th annual International Paris Air Show.

The trio traveled to Paris to encourage French nationals to invest in business and encourage international real estate buyers in the US. Representatives from about 80 Florida-based aviation, aerospace and defense companies, educational institutes, and economic development agencies also participated in the event.

During the event, Ashe and Sebree met with members of the French national real estate federation (FNAIM) to discuss expanding ties between the two associations.

“Florida Realtors’ leadership and members always do an exceptional job promoting Florida, both home and abroad,” said Gov. Scott. “…the state Realtor association has continued to encourage job growth and business development in the Sunshine State. Florida’s housing market and economy are on the rise, and it is clear that the policies we are implementing to create opportunities for Florida families are working.”

According to Florida Realtors’ 2012 Profile of International Home Buyers in Florida, French nationals made up five percent of the international real estate buyers purchasing homes in the Miami- Miami Beach area and the Orlando-Kissimmee area. French nationals made up 10 percent of international home buyers in the Palm Beach area.

Source: The Destin Log

Downtown Jacksonville and the DIA

Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) has selected its first CEO, Aundra Wallace. The DIA’s focus is to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville. Wallace says that he wants to build up housing and foot traffic between buildings in order to add vitality to Downtown Jacksonville.

He says that he plans on doing this by building public spaces, trails, and bike paths, including on the St. John’s River to make the area livelier and attract people to the local retailers.

Before he can do this however, the plan must be approved by the City Counsel. Wallace originally said that he’d like to see Downtown Jacksonville’s redevelopment plan completed in his first 90 days on the job, but said that it would more likely be completed by the end of the year.

If you are interested in investing in Downtown Jacksonville by purchasing real estate or starting a business, contact Boyer Law Firm today.

Source: Florida Times-Union

Unlicensed Contractors

Contractors are required by law to be licensed in the State of Florida, but lately there has been an increase in unlicensed contractors.

The increase began in 2008 and 2009 during the recession, at a time when the region’s building industry stalled, said building official Greg Yantorno. He also said that most unlicensed contract work involves interior remodeling and repairs rather than construction or home additions.

It is important for homeowners and business owners to make sure that the contractor they hire is licensed. If you hire an unlicensed contractor, you could be held liable if the contractor is injured on the job, and any work done by the contractor may not be covered by your property insurance.

The Sarasota, Florida local government recognizes that some homeowners may be tempted to hire unlicensed contractors because they are cheaper, but they strongly warn against it.

“If you are a homeowner or business owner and you want to roll the dice and take a chance, it may come back and bite you pretty hard,” said Alan Anderson, vice president of the Home Builders Association of Manatee-Sarasota.

You can verify if a contractor is licensed by contacting your local government.

Source: Herald Tribune

*Image courtesy of Stockfreeimages.com

Loan Modification for Foreclosures

The state of Florida currently has a higher than average foreclosure rate, causing many homeowners to go through this painful process.

A foreclosure is when the bank the bank repossesses a home due to non-payment of the mortgage. If the bank has already initiated the foreclosure process, there are only two defenses: a short-sale or a loan modification.

A short sale is when the house is sold for less than the amount due and the bank agrees to forgive the remaining debt.

A loan modification allows the homeowner to keep their house by renegotiating the terms of the mortgage. Our contract and real estate attorneys are highly skilled in working with banks to change the terms of the mortgage so that the payment becomes one that the homeowner can make.

If you are falling behind on your mortgage or fear that your house may become victim to foreclosure, contact Boyer Law Firm to discuss a loan modification. By taking preventative action, you and your attorney will be in a better position to negotiate the terms of the loan.

Eviction in Florida

Our Florida real estate attorneys handle Landlord/ Tenant law, including evictions, throughout the state of Florida.

Under Florida law, a landlord can evict a tenant for any of the following reasons:

-          Non-payment of rent
-          Violation of lease provisions
-          Noise violations
-          Fighting or disruptive behavior

There are specific steps that a landlord must go through to evict a tenant. These steps can differ based on the reasons for eviction and the desired results of the litigation process; if the landlord is seeking to recoup money damages it is more complex than if he is simply seeking for the tenant to vacate the premises.

The eviction process can range from simple, if you have a cooperative tenant, to extremely complicated, depending on the way the tenant responds and the resulting legal ramifications.

The eviction process is a type of civil litigation, which is why it is important to hire an attorney to assist you. Boyer Law Firm’s civil litigation attorneys are familiar with the court’s processes, which can prevent you from making mistakes that could prevent or delay the eviction.

First Time Home Buyers

Florida is seeing younger first time home buyers.

It is no longer the norm for young adults to move from their parents’ house into the house they will share with their spouse. Many 20-somethings rent apartments and have roommates, but the money-mindful of this age group is realizing that it may be a better idea to buy.

Emelee Arbuckle, 22, was one of these young home-buyers. She said she had looked into renting, but quickly realized that buying a house was the more prudent option. She could rent a two-bedroom apartment for $700-$800 per month, money she would never see again, or she could use that money to pay a mortgage of around $700, turning it into an investment.

Another advantage is that first time home buyers do not have to deal with underwater mortgages or having to sell one house before buying another.

If you are a young adult considering becoming a first-time home buyer, contact Boyer Law Firm today. We can help you with everything from making an offer on a property all the way through the closing and beyond.

Source: Florida Today

*Image courtesy of Stockfreeimages.com

Miamis Hotel Market

Miamis hotel market is booming this year, according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s Hotels and Hospitality Group. Experts are expecting $750 million of capital from investors into the Miami hotel market, a 12 percent increase from $600 million in 2012.

“During the last decade Miami has expanded its infrastructure, built strong ties to international trade and positioned itself as an international tourist destination,” said Gregory Rumpel, managing director for Jones Lang. “Miami’s positioned itself as the ‘Gateway to the Americas.’”

Miami events such as the Ultra Music Festival, Sony Ericsson Open and the Miami International Boat Show contributed to this trend; these events bring tens of thousands of visitors to Miami every year.

Miami Beach has seen the strongest performance, making up more that 71 percent of the total Miami area transaction volume in 2012.

If you are interested in the hotel industry, now is a great time to invest, especially in Miami and Miami Beach. If you are a foreign national, investing in a hotel may also be a path to a visa, green card, or even citizenship. For more information, contact Boyer Law Firm today.

Source: South Florida Business Journal