Category: Miscellaneous

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 »

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 »

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 »