A partial deposit loss may be a better solution than closing well above current market value on Condo investments.

Did you utilize the services of a Florida Real Estate Attorney prior to signing a contract with a Florida Real Estate Developer? Did your Realtor or Mortgage Broker say "In South Florida you don't need to hire an Attorney". Chances are you heard those exact words.
As we enter what many economists and real estate experts are calling a Real Estate depression throughout Florida, we are urging people to learn the rights which the law provides in protecting individual and corporate pre-construction condominium buyers prior to closing on a property. The Real Estate Lawyers working at Deposit Recovery Services are focused on educating consumers as to the rights they have regarding Real Estate contract rescissions and deposit recovery. We are experienced in negotiating contract rescissions with the majority of condominium developers in the Florida market. You may have the opportunity to rescind your contract prior to closing, often resulting in recovering all or some of your deposit. In most cases even a partial deposit recovery, although uncomfortable, is a more sound decision than closing on a property which may be worth tens of thousands of dollars less in the current market than the price you are paying at closing on your property. We are not accountants, but it is our understanding that some of your deposit loss may be tax deductible, lessening the financial blow (Be sure to check with your tax accountant or CPA). Please contact us if you are currently in a dispute with a real estate developer in Florida and New York. We offer a free consultation with a licensed real estate attorney. In the vast majority of cases a settlement or rescission can be completed without the need of bringing a lawsuit against the developer.
Please call or email Deposit Recovery Services today. The more time we have to work on your behalf prior to your scheduled closing date, the more the likely we can reach an amicable agreement between condo buyer and real estate developer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Developers scale back as the real estate recession takes a turn for the worse.
Does a full blown Real Estate depression loom? (CBS4 link to article)

MIAMI (CBS4) ― A new study shows developers in South Florida's real estate market are slowing down with projects in what economists are calling a housing depression.

New-home construction is at a ten-year low.

In all of this, however, there could be promising news for some sellers, but not very good news for people who work in the construction industry.

To explain what's happening, for example, picture a glass filled with water representing the current real estate market. It's filled to the maximum, in our case, filled with properties. Filling it up with more water, or projects will only cause an overflow.

But if developers pull back, slow down, then there might be some impetus by consumers to start buying those empty units that have come down in price, absorbing - like a towel - some of the overflow. In other words, the inventory on the market could start to be bought.

Just beyond the 55th Street Station in Miami, off Biscayne Boulevard, there is a building site for a project called Kubik, 315 ultra-hip condos overlooking Biscayne Bay. It was a project so attractive, the developer sold half the building.

That was three and a half years ago. Now, on the empty lot is a building crane, beginning to show signs of rust.

A neighborhood lawsuit brought the project to a halt.

"Oddly enough we were thinking of not moving forward with Kubik anyway because of the market," said developer Paul Murphy. "You know, sales came to a dead halt."

Murphy pulled the plug on his project and handed back deposits to investors.

This move is not unlike other developers who have slowed or even stopped building.

Banks have been taking on record loses from foreclosures, and have begun putting the squeeze on developers.

"The financing is tough to get," said Murphy. "You have to have qualified buyers and the banks are requiring people to put significantly more money down on their units."

According to Metrostudy, a group that tracks the housing industry, the financing crunch has had an effect on the South Florida market.

In Miami-Dade, more people are moving into new homes than developers are building.

In Broward, things appear more stable though the numbers are the lowest in 10 years.

According to Murphy, it could last two to three years. Until then, less construction hopefully would balance out the market, and developers would learn if another building cycle is possible.

In the meantime, it may be good news for some sellers, it's not so great if you are in the construction industry. Less new starts means less work, and less work means less jobs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Protect your money in escrow

The sudden closures of escrow businesses, which cut off buyers and Realtors from millions of dollars in deposits, have home buyers wondering just how they can keep their deposits in escrow safe

By CHARLES J. KOVALESKI, Special to the Daily News

Saturday, November 24, 2007

When most of us buy homes, we don’t usually question whether our funds are safe in escrow, the intermediary step in which home buyers place a good faith deposit with a third-party agent who will deliver this money to a seller when all terms of a real estate contract have been fulfilled. After all, the very idea of escrow is to keep our funds safe—buyers show their intentions to purchase a property, but don’t have to give up funds until a real estate deal closes to all parties’ satisfaction. But the sudden, recent closures of escrow businesses, which cut off buyers and Realtors from collective deposits estimated to total millions of dollars, have home buyers wondering just how they can keep their deposits in escrow safe.

As it currently stands, anyone in Florida can open an escrow service company, and, unfortunately, there are no formal regulations in place to provide oversight and help reduce these types of situations from happening again in the future. Investigations into these type of situations may ultimately prompt legislators to close the regulatory loophole that allows escrow companies to operate unchecked, but until then, buyers should beware — and be educated. Here are some steps that you can take now to keep your money safe in escrow.

Connect your deposit to your title insurance. Then get a letter of protection. When you buy a home, either the buyer or the seller will provide the purchased title insurance to insure the property’s title against any existing defects, such as liens that may have been placed against the property by contractors, banks or others. This form of title insurance typically comes from one of two sources: a real estate attorney or a title company.

You should place your escrow money into the trust account of either the attorney who is writing your title insurance policy, or the title company that is issuing this insurance policy, regardless whether the buyer or the seller is paying for the title insurance. Why? For two main reasons. First of all, regulatory bodies make these safer places to put your money; the Florida Bar Association strictly regulates how attorneys manage their trust accounts and the Florida Department of Banking and Financing oversees how title companies handle their accounts. On the other hand, escrow companies have no overarching authority that regulates how they handle their funds.

Second, Florida statute requires that title insurance underwriters repay your deposit if the unthinkable happens, such as an employee of a title company or a law firm steals or commits fraud. When you place your money into one of these trust accounts, ask your title insurance agent to get a “letter of protection” from your title insurance underwriter. This shows in writing that the title insurance company is responsible for returning your deposit in full in the event that fraud or other matters threaten to sever you from your money.

Place funds in your own real estate attorney’s trust account. Depositing your money into your real estate attorney’s trust account is a safe option. If attorneys mismanage trust accounts, they will be disbarred and prohibited from practicing law — an often powerful incentive for attorneys to keep your money safe. Plus, there are remedies for you to get missing money back through the bar association.

Ask about theft protection. Even though attorneys’ trust accounts are safe places to put money, they too can be subject to occasional human error. Ask your attorney about whether they have insurance that will protect your money in the event of an accounting mistake or even employee theft. He or she will be able to show you a certificate of insurance coverage so you know that your deposit is protected.

Be cautious when considering an escrow service. With little regulation in this business segment, consumers should think about putting their deposits in safer places. If you’re not sure whether a company is an escrow service, ask a staff member what guarantee they can offer that your deposit is safe and what regulatory body governs how they handle escrow funds. If they don’t offer clear answers, don’t bank on them. If you’re not sure about whether a company is an escrow service, contact your real estate attorney for assistance.

Do your homework. There are several online resources available to assist you with conducting a background check. One place to start is calling the Better Business Bureau or going online at www.us.bbb.org to find information on a company. Another helpful search engine is the Florida Department of Financial Services, www.fldfs.com, which can help you obtain specific details about a title company. For additional information on an attorney, visit the Florida Bar Association at www.floridabar.org.

While it’s not always easy to guard against fraud, there are some general tenets for protecting your money: Get proof that governing bodies oversee the institutions that hold your money and when in doubt, ask your real estate attorney for additional guidance.

Condominium and Preconstruction Real Estate lawsuits against developers are the last resort,
contact us to learn your rights and the options you may have.

Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A.
PO Box 22506
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33335
954-527-1512(South Florida Area)
1-877-527-1512 (Toll Free outside South Florida)
info@depositrecoveryservices.com
http://www.depositrecoveryservices

DISCLAIMER: The Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A. have NOT prepared or reviewed these materials. This blog is for informational purposes only.
They are not legal advice and have not been written by a Florida or New York Real Estate Attorney.
This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Do not send us confidential information until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.

Florida Real Estate Developers are fighting back against condo contract rescissions.

Are you currently in a Real Estate contract dispute with a Florida or New York Developer?
Did you know that in many cases your Condominium or Pre Construction Real Estate contract may be rescinded?
Many home buyers and investors are not aware of the legal protections which Florida and Federal Law provide. Please contact a Florida Real Estate Lawyer experienced in condo contract rescissions. Call or e-mail for a free consultation, very often you can not be forced to close on your preconstruction condo contract. We also work with developers to Recover Deposits left on properties.


Reprinted from the South Florida Business Journal
Condominium buyers who jumped on board a hot market are now looking for ways to walk away with refunded deposits.

Increasingly, they're pointing to perceived violations of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act and resulting property reports. We have also seen many cases of Real Estate fraud. Fraud and deception amongst developers and Real Estate brokers are being found more and more often, as we entered the late stages of the South Florida Real Estate boom in the Condo and pre-construction markets. Among the disclosures made through ILSA are guarantees that, barring a natural disaster or eminent domain proceedings, condo communities will be completed within two years of the purchase date.

Contact a Florida Real Estate Attorney with experience in real estate contract rescission law.

"Before 2005, no developer really worried about it," said Hank Sorensen, a Port Richey-based real estate attorney with Henry T. Sorensen II PA who is representing a number of buyers trying to leave sales contracts with downtown Tampa condo developers. "Everybody had drafted these contracts before, and no one thought that it would take more than two years to build a condo and have it occupied."

But a "perfect storm" of problems hit condominiums in Florida in 2006 from higher interest rates and the ensuing sudden drop of the real estate market to labor and material shortages following the hurricanes of 2004-05 along with increased concrete exports to China in preparation of the 2008 Olympics.

Hitting back

Tampa's Channelside District seems to be taking a brunt of the condo buyer exodus.

Changing Channelside from a decades-old industrial seaport to a potential home for some 3,000 families had been heralded by city leaders as a way to transform a downtown core that virtually dies when the work day ends. But move-ins have been far more sporadic than anticipated.

Instead of sitting on pre-sales, investors are trying to recover money with claims of material and adverse changes to purchased units from ceiling finishes to square footage anomalies. Some buyers say they have lost as much as 10-by-10-foot rooms from original planning to the final walk-through.

"There is a general attitude that these are just a bunch of investors trying to get out of properties, but I wouldn't be taking these cases if they didn't have legitimate claims," Sorensen said.

Key Developers Group in Tampa has been hard hit with lawsuits so far, according to Hillsborough County court records. The company has been sued nearly 100 times since the beginning of the year for a range of actions including rescission demands and breach of contract for The Place at Channelside, 440 units ranging from 600 to 3,700 square feet according to listings. Fida Sirdar, president of Key Developers, didn't return calls seeking comment.

Condo developers are striking back.

Act now, before changes to state and federal law greatly deminish the chances of rescinding your condominium or pre-construction contract. We can work with you to attempt to recover some or all of your deposit.

Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A.
PO Box 22506
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33335
954-527-1512(South Florida Area)
1-877-527-1512 (Toll Free outside South Florida)
info@depositrecoveryservices.com
http://www.depositrecoveryservices

DISCLAIMER: The Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A. have NOT prepared or reviewed these materials. This blog is for informational purposes only.
They are not legal advice and have not been written by a Florida or New York Real Estate Attorney.
This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Do not send us confidential information until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.

Condominium and Pre Construction Deposit Recovery Services

This ad is real

Before closing on your Condo, or visiting the pawn shop, please contact a Florida Real Estate Attorney

Deposit Recovery Services - Florida and New York Real Estate Condo and pre construction attorneys, focused on Deposit Recovery and Real Estate contract rescissions.

In the article below Mr. Tomlinson makes some excellent points. We felt it worth reprinting, this is for informational purposes only and has not been written or reviewed by a Florida or New York Real Estate Lawyer. Please contact our offices for a free consultation regarding your pre-closing real estate contract.

Reprinted from Kevin Tomlinsons blog on The Miami Condominium market.

South Florida developers are increasingly worried that buyers may be trying to cancel their contracts for either legitimate or frivolous reasons. Over the last four years or so, the Miami area has enjoyed a renaissance and real estate boom. During that time, reports claimed that 60,000 to 70,000 condos were planned or under construction. In spite of the recent “bust,” the reality today is that most of these projects have survived and will be delivered in the next 18 months. Many people are realizing, to their horror, that they can’t afford to close or don’t want to.

Under state law, a buyer can cancel a contract if a “material” amendment is made to the condominium documents that “adversely” affects the buyer.

The two most important words in the above sentence are, you guessed it, “material” and “adversely.” What may be “material” or “adverse” to you may not be so to a judge or jury.

The reason why this is Miami’s touchiest subject right now is because developers are concerned that buyers in general don’t want to close (if you are in this position, please contact a Florida / New York Real Estate attorney with experience in Deposit Recovery or real estate contract rescissions)because of the South Florida housing downturn. Since real estate is governed by the law of supply and demand, one can just look up at the Miami skyline and deduce that supply totally exceeds demand and that the majority of the buyers in these towers are speculators. “Oversupply” and the “new South Florida condo market” are the flies in the ointment here that no one counted on changing, and changing so rapidly.

I find that this is really about the speculators who don’t want to keep their units. When these buyers made their initial purchases, they were likely sold a pretty picture on how they wouldn’t have to close, and that the project was going to start a “re-sale” office to help speculators off-load their condos. The developer’s reps projected a enormous gains;basically, a scenario of all of the benefits with none of the risks!

I know a project that had material changes to their docs, which automatically gave buyers the chance to get their money back and rescind the contract. This development basically lost all of its buyers, and now the developer is looking at changing uses to either a rental tower or a hotel.

What should you do if you can’t or don’t want to close on your Miami pre-construction condominium? Here is some advice:

1. Check the last date signed on your contract with the developer. When did it become an executed agreement by all parties? By state law, the developer has to deliver the unit within a specified time from the date you signed the contract. If the developer doesn’t finish the project within the time allowed, and you haven’t signed any extensions or new contracts that “re-up,” (make it a new contract with a new date), you may be able to rescind on that fact alone.

2. Call the developer. Tell him that you can’t possibly close on the unit and ask to be released from the agreement. I did this with one of my clients and since he bought a very desirable unit very early in the game, the developer was more than happy to take the condo back because he could make a few hundred thousand more dollars on it. This is a long shot, but worth a try. This developer was very well funded, met his pre-sale requirements, and the project was a huge success. If you feel that your project hasn’t been that successful, this approach is worth a try.

3. Check for any last minute changes to the condo docs and/or operating budget. Right before closings begin, developers will file any last minute changes to the condo docs. There might be “material” change that is “adverse” to the buyer.
   

Hire a good real estate lawyer. I am shocked beyond belief by how many people purchase these sometimes multi-million-dollar condos and never run the deal by their attorney. I make sure my clients read their contract with the developer and have their lawyer review it before they sign it.
South Beach, Miami, Broward, West Palm Beach , New York Real Estate Contract rescission and Deposit Recovery


Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A.
PO Box 22506
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33335
954-527-1512(South Florida Area)
1-877-527-1512 (Toll Free outside South Florida)
info@depositrecoveryservices.com
http://www.depositrecoveryservices

DISCLAIMER: The Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A. have NOT prepared or reviewed these materials. This blog is for informational purposes only.
They are not legal advice and have not been written by a Florida or New York Real Estate Attorney.
This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Do not send us confidential information until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.

Florida Real Estate contract rescission in Condo and Preconstruction

Are you questioning the validity of your Condo or Preconstruction contract in Florida or New York?
Our Real Estate attorneys specialize in Condo and Pre-construction Real Estate Contracts. If you would like to better understand your legal rights regarding your pre-closing condominium contract rescission, please call or email for a free consultation.
Deposit Recovery Services press release for Condo and Preconstruction contract services
_________________________________________________________________
Test Article - not written or reviewed by a Real Estate Attorney
Condo living is definitely a cheaper option to either living with hired help or living in a hotel. Most people however fail to realize the importance of respecting not only their space but the space of others as well as the common areas or places that every tenant has the right to enjoy. Listed are some tips to make condo living a peaceful experience for you and your neighbors.
When taking out the trash make sure you follow the condo guidelines. Is there a segregation scheme where you live? What about garbage bags, do they require certain color codes? All living areas have designated disposal areas. DO NOT under any circumstance leave your garbage outside your door, on the hall, lobby, or in the elevator. Hey anything is possible! Take note of disposal areas or scheduled garbage pick ups. Nobody wants to live or smell like filth.

You break it; you buy it or maybe just replace it. Point is accidents happen, nobody wants it to happen but when they do be considerate and honorable enough to pay for damages you have caused. It’s that simple. Preconstuction condominium law suits grow in New York and Miami, SOuth Florida. Rescind my real estate contract. Aventura, miami, west palm, beach, fort lauderdale, Tampa, New York. Condo Law. Condominum developers in contract disputes.

If you have kids they should be constantly vigilant of their manners. Nobody wants to wake up to some bratty screams or spilling your groceries because some tike ran over you in the hallways. If your kids are inconsiderate brats you’re a terrible parent and also condo living isn’t for you. This also includes newborn infants. Don’t even try to argue that little Bob is such a darling cutie pie because a sleepy neighbor will not listen to much reason.

Nobody says you can’t have a party but please try to keep it down. When you have guests over try to keep things down your loud party music might cause someone’s pacemaker to explode. You don’t want them calling the cops on you for being such an inconsiderate jerk; some people need their sleep unlike you. Noise should be generally avoided. Living in close proximity with others requires consideration in every aspect. Do not do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.

Florida and New York Real Estate Attorney focused on Condominium and Pre-construction contract law. (Land Developer - Condo Development)


Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A.
PO Box 22506
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33335
954-527-1512(South Florida Area)
1-877-527-1512 (Toll Free outside South Florida)
info@depositrecoveryservices.com
http://www.depositrecoveryservices.com/

DISCLAIMER: The Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A. have NOT prepared or reviewed these materials. This blog is for informational purposes only.
They are not legal advice and have not been written by a Florida or New York Real Estate Attorney.
This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Do not send us confidential information until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.

Can I cancel my Condo or Preconstuction Contract?

Are you asking yourself, "How do I get out of this condo contract?", "What are my legal rights regarding this preconstruction deal?", "Do I need a Miami Condominium Contract Attorney". If any of these thoughts has entered your mind recently and you are considering a Real Estate Attorney in New York or Florida, Please call or email for a free consultation. Deposit Recovery Services, specializing in Condo and Preconstruction contract law.
SEO test Press Release on Preconstruction and condominium contract law
Article number four in our SEO test. This Article is written by a High Scool Student in India. The test consists of testing the search engine results for such sought after terms as Florida Real Estate Attorney, Miami Preconstruction, Condo Law, New York Real Estate Lawyer, contract rescission, and Condo contract dispute. Can we "move the needle" using the newly created Deposit Recovery Services website from an established South Florida Law Firm
and move its search results using nothing more for content than basic papers written by high school students with no background in Condo or Preconstruction Real Estate Law Contract Disputes.
A condominium or condo is a form of housing occupancy. Technically a preconstruction condominium is a collection of individual homes along a land which they are affixed on. Colloquially the term condo simply refers to a unit replacing the term “apartment” as the latter seems less posh. Commonly the ownership of a condominium unit is comprised of the air and space within the unit’s boundaries. Some minor interior modifications are allowed as long as it will not affect a common area. Common areas are hallways, rec rooms and other facilities that are jointly “owned” or are enjoyed by any if not all tenants.

Can I get out of this preconstruction contract? Miami Real Estate Contract Law.

The Declaration of Condominium is a document that states the rules and restrictions established by the Board. Such rules typically include pet restrictions, mandatory maintenance or maintenance fees, and other modifications of a condo unit. Condominium units can either be owned or merely leased. Contrary to common belief condos do not merely consist of residential abodes. To date condominiums are now being used as office spaces, retail shops, facilities such as a salon or gym, retirement homes, dormitories or as hotel rooms. These of course are called non residential condominiums.

A lot of people, those who are single or are just starting a family opt to live in condos. This is because of the many benefits of condo living, usually condos come fully furnished and is often reasonably priced. The affordability is its main selling point, its definitely cheaper than building from the ground up in a limited time frame. Usually condominiums are located in accessible areas which work well for folks who work non stop but still find that they need to come home occasionally. Another perk of condo living is the availability of utilities and facilities that would have been unattainable especially for those who are pressed for time. Most condominiums come equipped with their own gyms, salons, swimming pools, clubhouses etc. If not rest assured that they are located near one. Another condo living perk is the 24 hours security service, the doorman or help desk that definitely makes living there safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A.
PO Box 22506
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33335
954-527-1512(South Florida Area)
1-877-527-1512 (Toll Free outside South Florida)
info@depositrecoveryservices.com
http://www.depositrecoveryservices

DISCLAIMER: The Law Offices of Eric L. Bronfeld, P.A. have NOT prepared or reviewed these materials. This blog is for informational purposes only.
They are not legal advice and have not been written by a Florida or New York Real Estate Attorney.
This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Do not send us confidential information until you speak with one of our attorneys and get authorization to send that information to us.