When you are buying or selling real estate or have other real estate matters you need handled, the trusted law firm of Carlos M. Amor, P.A. is ready to help. Carlos M. Amor skillfully handles the full range of real estate transactional matters and effectively resolves disputes regarding both residential and commercial properties. Attorney Carlos M. Amor brings 15 years of experience to South Florida real estate clients in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. Whatever real estate concern you have, our attorney will work toward successfully resolving it. The firm represents clients in traditional real estate transactions, real estate litigation, tax deed and foreclosure auction purchases, deed drafting services, short sales, and more.
For knowledgeable, professional, and efficient real estate assistance, contact the real estate law firm of Carlos M. Amor, P.A. at (954) 453-7200. Attorney Carlos M. Amor offers free consults, by phone, via video meeting or in person, whichever method is most convenient for you.
Why You Need a Real Estate Lawyer
Protecting Clients’ Interests from Contracts through Closings
Florida real estate laws governing residential and commercial property transactions are very complex and can be confusing. They cover how property is valued, validity of contracts, regulations for mortgage lenders, professional standards for real estate agents and brokers, and much more. If you don’t have effective legal representation to ensure your rights are protected in real estate transactions, you risk making mistakes that can be financially devastating. From the beginning of a transaction through the end, and every step in between, Carlos M. Amor is an experienced real estate lawyer with comprehensive knowledge of Florida laws and will seek to safeguard your interests. Following are some of the ways Carlos M. Amor assists real estate clients:
Purchase and Sales Agreements
In most commercial and residential real estate transactions, you sign a purchase and sales agreement. These contracts dictate the price of the property and all the other specific terms related to the transaction. You should never sign a real estate contract without carefully reading it and having an attorney review it. They are written to protect both parties and are often difficult to get out of once they are signed.
If you do not clearly understand the terms involved and sign the contract anyway, you could find yourself in trouble down the road. In addition to the parties’ names, method of payment, down payment and/or good faith money, the contract may also have numerous “exceptions.” Exceptions are contingencies that may give buyers or sellers an “out” of the contract.
Common exceptions in a residential home agreement may include:
- The ability to procure financing—if a buyer is unable to qualify for a loan prior to closing they may be able to walk away from the agreement. However as a Buyer you must follow specific procedures in order to be able to avoid liability is a loan is not approved.
- The house must pass certain inspections, including a home inspection and a termite inspection—a buyer may be able to cancel a contract based on issues related to an inspection. As a Seller there a few types of sales contracts you may encounter, and they all look very similar. If you want to hold a buyer to the agreement post inspection, then you need to make sure a specific contract is used from the outset.
- The title must be marketable—if a seller has defects in title that were not known prior to signing the sales contract they may be able to avoid liability if they are unable to close as agreed because there may be another party with an ownership interest on the title.
- A title insurance company is willing to insure the title—title must be marketable to qualify for title insurance at closing.
Both parties can add exceptions to contracts. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, Plantation real estate attorney Carlos M. Amor understands and recognizes the benefits and the pitfalls of each sales contract in order to protect his client’s rights. Call our law firm at (954) 453-7200 when you need a real estate contract drafted or reviewed.
All-Important Closings
Closings are among the most critical part of real estate transactions. The last thing you need is to be hours away from closing a real estate deal and have something happen preventing you from closing on your anticipated closing date. There are various reasons a closing date may fall through. You can help reduce the chances of an issue at closing by retaining an experienced real estate attorney who may be able to resolve problems earlier in the process—before you reach closing day.
Problems that can stop a property from closing can range from relatively simple things like missing documents to title problems, such as liens, bankruptcies, or probate issues. Probate and bankruptcy issues may delay closings for days, weeks, or even months. Our skilled real estate lawyers in Plantation, FL, can make sure everything is in order before setting closing dates. While closing companies do this as well, they won’t necessarily have the legal background to resolve title issues related to bankruptcies and probate.
Carlos M. Amor is a skilled real estate attorney and has the experience it takes to effectively resolve title issues. He can also examine closing documents to ensure they are complete and reflect your interests before you put your signature on them. Our office represents both buyers and sellers at their closing.
Benefits of Using a Real Estate Attorney with a Broker’s License
Purchasing a home you have fallen in love with and where you envision spending your future is an exciting prospect. For these reasons, it can also be an emotional and nerve-wracking experience. You may worry about the deal falling through or finding too many things wrong during the inspection. A real estate attorney who is also a real estate broker, such as Carlos M. Amor, often brings more insight into the intricate steps of the residential buying and selling process. By wearing both an attorney’s and a broker’s hat, he understands clients’ anxiety about the home buying (or selling) process and may be able to help alleviate it; he also knows the legalities involved, which can serve to ward off legal problems that may occur.
Steps in the Home Buying Process
Buying a home, whether it is an existing home or a new construction home, consists of several steps. The first step is putting down good faith money and submitting a contract to the seller. The contract lists the price that you are willing to pay. The seller then reviews the contract and can decline your offer or accept it. In most cases, when the seller declines an offer, he or she will submit a counteroffer. Carlos M. Amor, an experienced real estate lawyer, reviews and prepares home buying contracts.
Additional Benefits of Hiring a Plantation Real Estate Attorney Who is a Broker
When you choose a Plantation real estate attorney with a broker’s license, Carlos M. Amor can help you with investment properties, including buying at tax sales and foreclosure auctions. Before you attend the tax sale or foreclosure auction, Carlos M. Amor may advise you on how to proceed and then may handle the final closing on the property.
With a broker’s license, Carlos M. Amor may also assist in your plans after you purchase the property, whether you wish to fix up the house and flip it or you may desire to build a portfolio of rental properties.
As a licensed real estate broker who is also a real estate attorney, Plantation real estate attorney, Carlos M. Amor can help with the full spectrum of real estate needs. Contact our firm today at (954) 453-7200 to schedule a consultation. Attorney Amor offers free consults, by phone, via video meeting or in person.
Involved in a Dispute? A Skilled Real Estate Attorney Can Help.
Not all real estate transactions go smoothly. For example, if either party backs out of a purchase or sale, the other party may file a civil lawsuit against the breaching party. There may be a partition lawsuit when a property is jointly owned and one of the parties wants to sell while the other does not. In another example, a party could sue for his or her good faith money and / or return of down payment or could even sue for specific performance to force the other party to keep up their end of the contract.
If you are involved in a commercial or residential real estate dispute, real estate attorney Carlos M. Amor in Plantation, FL, will stand up for your rights. Attorney Amor has extensive experience litigating complex real estate disagreements and contract disputes.
Sales and Purchases Involving Short Sales and Foreclosures
Short Sales
A short sale is when a home is sold for less than what is owed on it and the lender or bank agrees to accept less money than what they are owed. If you plan to buy or sell real estate via a short sale, it is best to get an experienced Plantation real estate attorney involved. A homeowner potentially facing foreclosure must obtain permission from the bank to sell it for a lower amount via a short sale. Carlos M. Amor is experienced in negotiating short sales with the bank and may be able to help.
Because the bank could easily say yes and then change its mind, the agreement should be in writing. The bank should sign off on the lowest price that it will accept.
Likewise, when buying a house as a short sale, the buyer should do his or her due diligence, including calling the bank to ensure that the amount is acceptable. Carlos M. Amor may be able to facilitate a short sale for a buyer or a seller, or both, and help ensure the transaction is a problem-free process.
Foreclosures
You can also buy a home that is in foreclosure. As with a short sale, the buyer must deal with the seller and other parties – usually the bank and / or its attorney. If you decide to purchase a house that is in foreclosure, you should never attempt this without an attorney. The foreclosure process is active litigation against the seller.
If the foreclosure case is close to finishing, the bank could “forget” and put the real estate up for auction before you are able to complete the transaction.
You may also buy foreclosed properties at an auction. Most of these transactions go smoothly. However, if the foreclosed owner is still living in the home, you may have to take legal action to get the prior owner out of the house. There is also the chance that the foreclosed owner will damage the house. Getting a real estate lawyer involved in the transaction may help make the process go smoothly, in addition to protecting your interest in the property.
Foreclosure Defense
When the bank starts foreclosure proceedings, it must file a lis pendens. This notifies you that it is going to take action against you for non-payment. If you want to attempt to save your home, you should contact a real estate attorney who has experience filing bankruptcies. An experienced foreclosure defense attorney like Carlos M. Amor, may be able to help you stay in your home, either by contacting the bank and making a deal or by helping you file bankruptcy to try to get caught up on what you owe.
Even if it seems like you will not be able to save your home because of your financial situation, it is worth speaking to an attorney. Carlos M. Amor is skilled in foreclosure defense and may be able to advise you about programs or other avenues to help keep you in your home, depending on your individual situation.
Contact Plantation Real Estate Lawyer, Carlos M. Amor
Get Top-Quality Florida Legal Assistance from a Skilled Real Estate Attorney Today
No matter what your real estate transaction or dispute involves, Plantation real estate attorney, Carlos M. Amor will assert his knowledge, experience, and strong resources to work toward an effective resolution. Whether you are buying or selling a commercial property or a home or have a complex contractual, title or other issue requiring real estate litigation support, you can rely on Carlos M. Amor to work hard to try and get you the outcome you need.
Contact Carlos M. Amor, P.A. at (954) 453-7200 to arrange a consultation about your commercial or residential real estate matter. Attorney Amor offers free consults, by phone, via video meeting or in person.
