Florida Real Estate Lawyers

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Navigating Florida Law Can Be A Challenging Task.

That’s why Lopez Law Group of St. Petersburg, FL prides itself on establishing trust. To us, our clients’ satisfaction is the pinnacle of success. We seek to consistently educate and mentor you on the legal process in every situation.

Listening To Your Needs Is Our Primary Goal.

It means we can offer you a customized legal plan based on your best interests. Treating you as an individual, is the only way we know how to operate. As experienced lawyers, we have the flexibility, work ethic, and determination to protect your interests with distinction. Our firm offers a range of legal services, in a variety of industries. Whether you’re a community member in Tampa Bay, or a business owner in St. Petersburg—we’ve got you covered.

Cases We Take

Residential Real Estate

Commercial Real Estate

Real Estate Closings

Business Law

Landlord/Tenant Disputes

Probate

Personal Injury

Employment Law

Land Trusts

Criminal Law

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Florida Real Estate Lawyers

The Lopez Law Group is here to guide you through all of your real estate needs. We know that complex laws regulate the real estate market, but our professional team stays on top of changing laws to ensure they are prepared to assist you with all your real estate needs. Our attorneys are well-equipped to handle both residential and commercial real estate issues. 

Residential Real Estate Cases We Handle

Purchase Contracts

The most crucial step in purchasing or selling a home is the contract. It is essential that you have a legal professional evaluate the contract to make sure there are no unexpected “surprise” clauses. Real estate is a major asset, and the paperwork deserves attention. Before signing the contract, there are important considerations, such as:

• Is the purchase contingent on matters like financing or acceptable terms of the sale? 
• When can the buyer take possession? 
• What land, furnishings, and buildings come with the offer? 
• Are appliances and fixtures (which can be costly to replace) included in the price of the home? 
• Who is paying for the title examination? 
• If it is a new construction, have all utilities been installed? 
• What inspections are required by the municipality, and have they been completed?

It is crucial that you understand which terms of the agreement are negotiable. As a buyer, you will also need to ensure that you understand what your obligations are once you sign the agreement. It is easy to become excited about finding a home you love and get carried away in wanting to move quickly. A real estate agent (who stands to earn a commission from the sale) may even encourage you to “act quickly before it is gone.”

Though we understand the excitement of finding the home of your dreams, it is essential that you understand what is in the purchase agreement before signing it. The purchase agreement should also include a seller’s disclosure statement, which lists any known defects or problems with the house. Understanding the disclosure statement, and how any issues in it can be addressed, is an important step. Many of these are negotiable, and knowing what can and cannot be negotiated is extremely important when it comes to the purchase of a property.

Home Inspections

When you buy a home, you will, at some point during the process, need to get the property inspected. Inspections involve hiring a residential real estate inspector to come in and do a full inspection of the property. The inspector is typically hired by the buyer to thoroughly inspect the property to make sure everything is in accordance with state and local codes.

There are typically two types of inspections used in residential real estate transactions

• Buyers inspection: This is the inspection paid for by the person who is purchasing the home. It is meant to ensure that the property is free of all hazards and in the condition claimed by the seller. The inspector you hire will likely take a few hours to go over everything in the home. You can be present during this home inspection, and the inspector should show you the deficiencies in the property. The inspector should go over both the interior and the exterior of the home and alert you to any safety issues. The most common things that the inspectors look for are related to damage from water issues, issues related to roof damage, structural defects, problems with the electrical system, signs of pest control issues, and issues related to the air conditioning and heating systems.  
• Seller’s inspection: The seller’s inspection is the examination the seller can have done before the house is put on the market to make sure the house is in proper working order before listing the home. Any issues discovered during this inspection enable the seller to remedy the issues before the home is placed on the market.

Title Search and Insurance

The Lopez Law Group can assist you with title searches and title insurance. When you purchase a property, you always want to make sure the property is free and clear of any title defects. Having an attorney look into any title issues instead of a title insurance company will ensure that if any defects of title do show up, they can be handled quickly.

If a title insurance company discovered a defect, they would then have to bring on an attorney to clear the title issue. This can slow the process of clearing the title and moving toward closing significantly. Having an attorney do the work from the beginning will ensure that any title issues are cleared up in time for the original closing date when at all possible.

Lease Agreements

If you are a landlord or a tenant, having an attorney look over the documents that you are signing before the start of a lease is very important. Lease agreements often contain language and terms that can be difficult for a layperson to understand.

Lease agreements stipulate the lease period, who is responsible for damages, and the notice requirements if either party breaks the lease. As a landlord, the last thing you want is to have a tenant sign a lease that is not up to the current legal standard. You could then find yourself on the losing end of a potential claim against you if you do not take steps to make sure the language is concrete.

As a tenant, make sure that you understand going into the lease what your duties are. Understanding what damages you can be held liable for versus what is considered normal wear and tear is crucial. The lease agreement should spell out, explicitly, when you will be entitled to get your security deposit back.

Closings

The Lopez Law Group handles various types of real estate closings, including those for residential properties. As attorneys who assist with closings, we can coordinate with all parties involved to make sure the sale goes smoothly. We will communicate with lenders, buyers, and the seller to make sure that all documentation and schedules are in order. We will help or handle communication with brokers, surveyors, insurance companies, inspectors, appraisers, tax departments, contractors for the property, and HOA boards.

Commercial Real Estate Cases We Handle

Title Insurance

Getting an experienced and skilled attorney to handle the title insurance process has numerous benefits. We can provide the title check for you, and if there are any problems with the title, our attorneys have the tools available to remedy the situation and ensure that there is a clear title. If you go to a traditional title office, they can tell you that there is an issue with the title, but you would then have to get an attorney involved to make sure that the title issue is handled correctly.

Assistance with Lending and Secured Transactions

Our office is equipped to assist with all stages of the lending process. We will do due diligence and secure the loan, and help you obtain a title insurance policy with minimal exceptions. Our attorneys will take the time to explain the transaction details to the borrower and the lender. Our office pays excellent attention to details, and we take the time necessary to make sure all the fine details of each transaction are covered. We make sure nothing is missed so that there are no surprises at closing.

Developer Issues

If you are a developer of real estate and need assistance with sale agreements or purchase agreements, we are here to assist you in making the process as smooth as possible. If you are having an issue with escrow or need assistance in drafting documents related to a condominium or HOA, we can also assist in that area. We can also step in and make the process as easy as possible for any other HOA or community issues you encounter.

Real Estate Contracts

Our attorneys that specialize in real estate can assist in all matters related to real estate transactions. We understand the process and are on hand to help with any legal issues which may arise. We can negotiate the contract with you and go over the positives or negatives that the contract contains.

We also draft real estate contracts to suit your needs and can answer any of the standard or complex questions that arise throughout the process.

Creating Lease Agreements

As a landlord, it is essential that you include all the necessary language in a lease agreement. Failing to do so can hurt you in the long run and lead to a situation that is a giant headache for all involved.

When a landlord grants someone a lease on a specific property, the landlord is giving the tenant certain rights. The lease agreement must explicitly spell out the rights the landlord is conveying to the tenant and must be very clear on what is required of the tenant. Each party will have specific duties, and the lease agreement should clearly define what duties belong to the landlord and what duties belong to the tenant.

Necessary details such as who is responsible for damages, who pays the taxes, what insurance requirements apply to each party, and who maintains the property are all essential in a lease agreement. Our attorneys can assist in the creation of lease agreements or can review an agreement that the landlord has drafted to ensure that it is adequate and covers all the necessary components.

Foreclosures

Dealing with a property that has been foreclosed can be quite the process. If you are an investor and considering investing in a foreclosed property, you want to ensure you run certain checks on that property. The Lopez Law Group will help you figure out the mortgage situation and run a title search on the property to see what issues may exist.

The process would need to happen quickly if the property is up for auction, and often, investors need these answers as quickly as possible. We are capable of stepping in and getting these checks done in an expedited fashion to help you make an informed offer or bid.

Evictions

Florida has numerous legal requirements that a landlord must meet before they can evict a commercial or residential renter. We can not overstate the importance of understanding Florida law before moving to evict a tenant. You must give the correct notice and include the correct eviction documents or risks creating a messy situation.

We can assist you with drafting the documents and stand with you throughout the eviction process to ensure that the tenants are removed from the property correctly. Not only will this help you regain control of your property sooner, but it will also protect you from the backlash that can ensue if you do not follow the eviction process correctly.

Zoning and Land Use

Zoning and land use laws in Florida can be complicated and is one of the main reasons people retain a commercial real estate attorney. We will help you understand the zoning and use laws that apply to any property you are considering.

Local and state legislation determines how these regulations are enforced and how the property is taxed. Zoning laws can dictate how you can use your commercial property, which can render specific properties unusable for the purposes you need. If you infringe upon these regulations, your entire business could be shut down, and you could face stiff fines.

If you are considering a commercial undertaking, zoning laws must be considered, and all necessary permits secured. Local companies can m find the process tedious, and it is often overwhelming for out-of-state businesses. We are here to help you navigate the red tape and get the proper variances and permits efficiently.

To avoid these types of problems, always consult with a Florida commercial real estate attorney before leasing or purchasing a commercial property.

The Lopez Law Group Knows Florida’s Real Estate Laws

As active members of our Florida community, we are uniquely equipped to address the real estate issues you might encounter. From buying to selling, leasing, and litigation, we are here for you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a case review.

Lopez Law Group

700 7th Ave N, Suite A, St. Petersburg, FL 33701