Real Estate Law Articles

Buying a condo can be a smart first step into the real estate investment game For home buyers who aren't yet ready to commit to a single-family house, investing in a condominium can be a good way to get into the real estate investing game without going in over your head. If you're a first-time co...

It's not easy to get an entire community of homeowners to comply with all the rules and regulations of the association. Here are 4 steps you can take to encourage compliance One of the biggest challenges for homeowners' associations (HOAs) or condo associations is getting every resident within th...

Your HOA or condo association has certain obligations per its governing documents, but what can tenants do if they neglect those duties? Here are some common association violations, and 3 ways owners can push back. One of the advantages of living in a homeowners' association (HOA) or condo associ...

The board is one of the most important aspects of a successful condo or homeowners' association. Learn how to assemble the right people for your board and what they should know. Establishing a homeowners' association (HOA) or condo association involves many steps that can't be overlooked or circu...

What are your association's responsibilities when preparing for hurricane season? A condo association, while similar to a business, is also responsible for running the operations of its community. That includes ensuring regulations are followed, residents are informed, the grounds are secure, and...

Board meetings can become emotional or hostile fast – here are some strategies to keep things under control and on track Community boards are usually made up of home or condo owners, so their members may have differing opinions about what's acceptable, what's necessary, and how to approach confli...

Community association managers have a wide range of experience and expertise – here's how to use that knowledge to the fullest within your association Hiring a community association manager (CAM) for your association is an important first step in streamlining management and relieving the associat...

Hiring a team of trusted advisors ensures you're making the right choices for your association Running a community association is like running a business. Legal regulations must be understood and followed, insurance claims must be made, cash flow must be monitored, and vendors must be vetted. Dis...

Everything you need to know about the GDPR and potential impacts on US organizations May 2018 saw the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which revamped privacy laws within the European Union (EU). However, these laws are also applicable to businesses, organizations, ...

Learn what a community association manager does and what the benefits are of hiring one The role of a community association manager (CAM) is multifaceted. From communicating with the board to directing policy changes and overseeing maintenance, the CAM's job is to ensure that everything is runnin...

Here's what you need to know if you serve on a homeowner or condominium owner association board in Florida Living in a managed residential community has many benefits, like shared social spaces, grounds upkeep, and amenities like sports areas or swimming pools. However, one crucial part of every ...

HOALeader.com is an excellent resource for HOA and condo board members nationwide. Our own Jane Bolin is always pleased to share her expertise with their team. Some recent articles are shared below. New: Three Florida Condo/HOA Associations Are Alleged Victims of Theft By Their Manager More Alleg...

Understand the arguments for both, and weigh the benefits against your own life priorities A question many adults face in Florida is whether or not they should purchase a home, versus continuing to rent a property. While there are pros and cons to each, it's perhaps most important to figure out w...

Learn Florida's laws around refusing to pay rent if your landlord's been slacking As a renter in Florida, you may be tired of waiting around for your landlord to repair your heater or to install a new refrigerator. If your landlord continues to drag his or her feet, when can you draw the line and...

If you're considering subletting your rental, do so through your landlord and talk to a legal professional if you aren't sure about your rights If you have to move out before your lease is up, don't fret. There are legal ways you can avoid paying the rent when you won't be living there. One such ...

Regulating documents for homeowner associations (HOAs) can be complex and lengthy. Take the time to read and fully understand everything you're agreeing to. When you buy a home as part of a Florida homeowner association (HOA), the community will be governed by a Declaration of Covenants, Conditio...

Community associations are essentially businesses, and board members should treat planning and budgeting the way they would approach corporation planning. Here are tips on how to start. Community associations operate like a standard business. Sure, the board members are volunteers and are elected...

HOAs can provide big benefits to home owners within a close-knit community. But when do the rules go too far, and the HOA ends up micromanaging? Home owners' associations (HOAs) can provide many pros to communities, like ensuring security measures are in place, providing community spaces to gathe...

Real estate tips and legal advice Laws and regulations have a way of changing on us just when we think we've learned all there is about owning property in Florida. If you're a member of a community association, which includes condo associations and homeowners' associations, there's, even more, to...

Security deposits can cause a lot of headaches between tenants and landlords. Understand the rights you have under Florida law, so you can take action against a deduction claim or missing deposit check if necessary. A common dispute that arises between tenants and landlords is whether or not the ...

What can be deducted from your deposit and what can't? In Florida, there is no limit on the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit (though some cities and counties may implement caps). This means you could have to fork over a lot of money up front and should do everything you can to ...

What is considered acceptable or unacceptable behavior? If you are part of a homeowner association (HOA), you may have already witnessed or experienced disagreements that can arise between the HOA board and community members. When new rules are implemented, or when residents disagree with certain...

Here's what you need to know about disagreements with your Homeowner Association If you recently purchased a home that is part of a homeowner association (HOA), you may worry that you won't align with the HOA board on everything. These home communities have certain rules and regulations that all ...

AS IS doesn't mean there's something wrong with the home If you're buying or selling a piece of real estate in the state of Florida, you're likely going to see the contract written on what's known as the FAR/BAR Contract. This is essentially a warranty disclaimer. It's the seller's way of getting...

Surveying your property prevents unforeseen problems Unless you're selling your property, knowing the precise dimensions of your boundaries probably doesn't seem too important, especially if you like your neighbors. However, that's exactly the reason to engage a survey – to stop disputes before t...