What Happens When You Receive a Code Violation?

There are code enforcement inspectors who look for code violations concerning homes and/or properties. Say, for example, you live in a community with a homeowners’ association and there are rules and codes you’re supposed to comply with, but you don’t… then you might receive a code violation notice. What happens then? Code violations indicate that… Read more »

What is a Zoning Letter?

Zoning is the process of dividing land in a municipality into zones, such as “residential” or “commercial,” whereas certain land uses are permitted or prohibited. Zoning is a technique of land-use planning to help bring order to a place and ensure everyone follows rules. In real estate, there’s such a thing as a “zoning letter.”… Read more »

Here’s Why You Should Search for Municipal Liens Before Buying Real Estate in Florida

Why should you search for municipal liens before buying real estate in Florida? Like most other states, there can be unrecorded liens, as well as fees and permit violations attached to a property rather than an individual. When you close on a property, a municipal lien search makes sense to find out if there are… Read more »

Can a Lien Be Placed on Your Property Without You Knowing?

Can a lien be placed on your property without you knowing? Yes, it happens. Sometimes a court decision or settlement results in a lien being placed on a property, and for some reason the owner doesn’t know about it– initially. For those of you who are unfamiliar with liens, know this: liens are something creditors… Read more »

Voluntary vs Involuntary Liens

A real estate lien involves a legal claim on assets. Filed with a county records office or state agency, the lien allows the holder to obtain access to the property if the debts aren’t paid. Liens help creditors collect money owed to them by “clouding” the title of a property. Typically, a property can’t be… Read more »

Examples of Liens That Can Be Placed on Your Property

Unless you work in real estate, you probably don’t know too much about liens. Sure, you’ve heard the term, but what is a lien, really? Basically, a lien is a legal recorded claim against a property. The lien essentially “ties up” the property as a way to collect money owed. So, if a buyer wants… Read more »

What is an Elevation Certificate?

The state of Florida isn’t known for high elevations. Any “mountains” in Florida are manmade (and probably part of a ride at Disney World). In fact, much of Florida is at or near sea level. Did you know Florida is the flattest state in the nation? The highest point in the state is only 345… Read more »

An Overview of Estoppel Letters

Have you ever heard of an estoppel letter? It’s a document that states the amounts to any statement of settlement for both the buyer and the seller of any real estate. Estoppel is actually a judicial device in common law legal systems whereby a court may prevent or “estop” a person from making assertions or… Read more »

The Title Insurance Industry and Bank Fraud

Hackers are a problem these days. Indeed, all sorts of people involved in financial transactions and the financial industry itself have to be ever vigilant about hackers. Banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, title insurers, and others are constantly on the lookout for wire fraud. In New Jersey, for instance, the state’s banking regulator, the New… Read more »

The Benefits of a Municipal Lien Search

The word “municipal” is defined as “relating to a city or town or its governing body.” The word “lien” is defined as “a right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged.” So what’s a “municipal lien?” When a municipal lien exists, that means a… Read more »

Sponsorships & Tradeshows

2010 Chicago Sponsorship It was an opportunity and a pleasure to have sponsored the 2010 Chicago Work Shop in Bonita Springs, FL. It was a great success and we look forward to doing it again next year. Special thanks to all those who stopped by to say hello…it was a pleasure and hope to see… Read more »

Four Day City Work Weeks

The below Tri County Municipalities have gone on a four day work week. All the Below Municipalities work Monday through Thursday and are CLOSED on Fridays. Please bear in mind that our turnaround time deadlines are affected with these Municipalities. Key Biscayne Coconut Creek Lauderhill Miramar Wilton Manors Boynton Beach Village of Wellington North Miami… Read more »