FAQ Real Estate Law
Do I really need a real estate attorney when buying or selling a home in Florida?
While Florida doesn’t require you to hire an attorney for real estate closings, having a real estate lawyer on your side greatly can help you avoid costly legal issues. We review contracts, explain your rights, and make sure everything is in order before you sign. Generally, this is at no additional cost from what a non-attorney title company will charge.
What does a real estate attorney do during a property transaction?
From reviewing purchase agreements to resolving title issues to reviewing closing documents and settlement statements and representing you at closing, a Florida real estate attorney ensures your deal goes smoothly and legally and in compliance with the purchase agreement. We act as your advocate throughout the process, and protect your rights, both legal and contractual.
What's the difference between a title company and a real estate lawyer?
A title company handles insurance and paperwork, but only an attorney can give you legal advice. If there’s a problem with the contract or a dispute during the closing or later, a real estate attorney in Florida is trained to handle it. Title companies are neutral third parties, real estate attorneys are not. Read more about this at our blog on this topic: All Title Agents are Not Created Equal – Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key, FL | Dunlap Moran
What should I know about title searches and potential issues?
A thorough Florida title search can uncover liens, ownership disputes, or zoning issues. We investigate the property’s legal history to help ensure you’re buying clean title.
Can you help with boundary disputes or disagreements with neighbors?
Absolutely. Whether it’s a property line dispute, encroachment issue, shared easement, or fence disagreement, we can help negotiate or take legal action to protect your property rights.
What happens if I find something wrong with the home after I close?
Florida has strict real estate disclosure laws. If a seller knowingly hid a defect, you may be able to take legal action. We’ll help you understand your options, timing and cost.
Do you handle commercial real estate transactions too?
Certainly. We many assist clients with Florida commercial real estate deals, including purchase agreements, commercial financing, title insurance, leases and zoning issues. Our firm supports businesses and commercial clients of all sizes.
What happens during a real estate closing?
At a Florida real estate closing, all documents are signed, funds are transferred, and ownership changes hands. We ensure all legal documents are correct, you’re fully protected, disbursements are handled correctly, and documents are recorded timely.
How much do your real estate legal services cost?
For typical residential closings, we have flat settlement fees plus the cost of title insurance, which is set by the state of Florida. We have a title cost estimating application that is free to use on our website, which can also be found here: Dunlap & Moran, P.A. – Title Quote, Seller Net Sheet, Loan Estimate, Closing Disclosure, Sell To Net, Seller’s Multiple Offers, Buyer Estimate, Monthly Affordability, Rent Vs Buy, ALTA Settlement Statement, Pre-HUD Otherwise, our fees vary depending on the complexity of your transaction. We’re upfront about our real estate attorney costs and offer clear, competitive pricing.
Can your firm help with real estate disputes or lawsuits?
Yes, we represent clients in real estate litigation involving breach of contract, escrow disputes, fraud, title defects, and other disputes. We’ll fight to protect your property and financial interests.