Minding time periods of a purchase contract is an essential element of our Realtor duties. An expiration date of any of the given time periods can result in a Buyer losing their deposit or the Seller failing to close on their property.

Three important time periods to consider are:

1. Loan ...

A house just won’t sell and you may be stumped as to why– and occasionally someone may be sabotaging your sale. Some real estate professionals have found that the saboteur is a neighbor or even the seller’s own child.

In one situation highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, a real ...

Question: Several years ago, I signed a contract to buy a new construction condo unit. I have made all the required deposits, and we are six months from closing. I found out I have to relocate for my job. What can I do? – Don

Answer: Many things can happen ...

Real estate agents are particularly vulnerable when it comes to getting sued. With tons of details, multiple clients and valuable properties, it’s all too easy for things to slip through the cracks.

Even the slightest mistake could end up costing you a lot of money, a lot of stress and ...

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dear Anne: My listing agreement with a seller is for six months, but this seller and I had a falling out three months into the listing. Advertising this property did not come cheap, and the cancellation fee would enable me to recoup my expenses, but the seller ...

ORLANDO, Fla. – If you don’t know already, there are several types of disclosures, riders or addenda that could be used in the course of a transaction. Will you have the same ones in each transaction? Probably not, as each transaction is unique. But knowing when a particular disclosure, rider ...

Florida Realtors Legal Hotline gets many questions about the rules governing escrow deposits – and many come from listing agents upset because they haven’t received proof, or at least notification, that the buyers made deposits by the dates stated in the contract. Here is an overview of the most common ...

Some contract “blanks” have a default, such as “3 days if left blank.” But others – sometimes important ones – do not. A quick hint: If there’s an asterisk near the line number, a blank should be reviewed. And remember that key dates and timeframes are important.

If your ...