TITLE INSURANCE IN FLORIDA

FLORIDA REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS WHEN BUYING OR SELLING

Your home is a valuable asset. For a majority of you, the most valuable asset you will ever own.  Although many people are happy to inject their opinions when buying or selling, an attorney is the only one qualified to provide legal advice.  And legal advice is what you need when buying or seller a home.  The truth is, many things can go wrong, both before or during a closing. And… even beyond your closing.

With all that’s involved in buying a home, you don’t need additional headaches.  Hiring an attorney to assist from the get go, ensures that any issues you face will be resolved prior to closing, and ensuring a smooth transaction.

TITLE INSURANCE

Not all title defects are part of public records. Many hidden defects may not even be found on a title search, no matter how thorough the examination.  This is where title insurance comes in.  Title insurance protects you against problems with the title that you didn’t know about when you bought the home.  If a problem is discovered, your title insurer pays the costs to defend your ownership in court, to fix the problem or cover your financial loss if the defects can not be fixed.

DISCOVERABLE V. HIDDEN DEFECTS.

Examples of Discovered Defects:

  • Mortgages
  • Taxes
  • Judgments
  • Utility easements
  • Construction liens
  • Incorrect legal descriptions
  • Improperly probated will

Examples of Hidden Defects:

  • Forged deeds
  • Impersonation by another on a deed
  • Married seller spouse did not sign
  • Undisclosed heirs
  • Clerical errors
  • Deeds signed by minors
  • Confusion from similar names

PURCHASING TITLE INSURANCE

The time to purchase title insurance is when you purchase the home.  A licensed attorney-agent, such as Jacqueline Salcines, Esq., is trained in the complexities of real estate law and can examine your title and issue the policy for the same as a non-attorney agent.

Only real estate attorneys can provide legal advice and are well trained to provide services that regular title agents can not.

The premium for title insurance is based on the purchase price.  An attorney can provide a free quote.

WHO PAYS FOR TITLE INSURANCE

Depending on what county you reside in, or the contract, will determine who pays the premium.  In many areas such as Broward and Palm Beach, it is customary for the seller to pay.  In Miami-Dade, it is customary for the buyer to pay.  But again, this can be changed by the Contract.

BUYING A HOME?  Here are some important questions to ask?

  • Why do I need title insurance?
  • What are my income and gift tax consequences?
  • What do I need to know about property taxes, zoning or special assessments?
  • How will I handle any probate issues?
  • Is the property recorded legal accurate?
  • Is there an active or past foreclosure that affects title?
  • Are there any legalities preventing me from using the property for my intended use?
  • Are there any assessments?
  • Where do I file for homestead tax?

SELLING A HOME?  Here are some important questions to ask?

  • What are my income, estate and gift tax consequences?
  • What is the status of my title?
  • Who will represent me at closing?
  • What is a seller disclosure?
  • What am I responsible for disclosing?
  • Am I at risk for a lawsuit if I don’t disclose defects known?
  • How do I respond to contract questions and addendums?
  • Who is responsible for paying the HOA assessments?

WHETHER you are buying or selling a home, the earliest you involve an attorney, the better.  Since you will need to enter into a contract from the get go, only an attorney can provide sound legal advice as to any contract contingencies.

When hiring an attorney to handle your closing, you get informed of your rights, and counsel every step of the way.

Without an attorney by your side, you may face legal consequences before or after closing.  You could be facing a breach of contract lawsuit or other type of lawsuit based on your lack of understanding of the contract and your obligations.

Ask for a free estimate of costs, or a pre-HUD when you select an attorney to represent you. There is no charge for this and you will get an accurate picture of what you need to pay at closing.

At the Law Offices of Jacqueline A. Salcines, P.A. we are experienced attorneys and accountants title agents, holding dual degrees to better serve you and your real estate needs.  Allow us to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

If you are buying or selling real estate, call us today to see how we can help you.

Main office 305 | 669 | 5280. Or email the attorney directly: J.Salcines@Salcineslaw.com

TRUST |  COMMITMENT  | RESULTS

Jacqueline A. Salcines

Jacqueline A. Salcines

JACQUELINE A. SALCINES, ESQ.
706 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SECOND FLOOR
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
TEL. 305 669 5280
EMAIL: J.SALCINES@SALCINESLAW.
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THE REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

FLORIDA REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS WHEN BUYING OR SELLING

Your home is a valuable asset. For a majority of you, the most valuable asset you will ever own.  Although many people are happy to inject their opinions when buying or selling, an attorney is the only one qualified to provide legal advice.  And legal advice is what you need when buying or seller a home.  The truth is, many things can go wrong, both before or during a closing. And… even beyond your closing.

Hiring an attorney to assist from the get go, ensures that any issues you face will be resolved prior to closing, and ensuring a smooth transaction.

ANSWERING ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

One of the greatest benefits of using an attorney is that he or she has a legal and ethical obligations to work in your best interests.  That means, answering all your questions, and including some important ones you may not even know of.

BUYING A HOME?  Here are some important questions to ask?

  • Why do I need title insurance?
  • What are my income and gift tax consequences?
  • What do I need to know about property taxes, zoning or special assessments?
  • How will I handle any probate issues?
  • Is the property recorded legal accurate?
  • Is there an active or past foreclosure that affects title?
  • Are there any legalities preventing me from using the property for my intended use?
  • Are there any assessments?
  • Where do I file for homestead tax?

SELLING A HOME?  Here are some important questions to ask?

  • What are my income, estate and gift tax consequences?
  • What is the status of my title?
  • Who will represent me at closing?
  • What is a seller disclosure?
  • What am I responsible for disclosing?
  • Am I at risk for a lawsuit if I don’t disclose defects known?
  • How do I respond to contract questions and addendums?
  • Who is responsible for paying the HOA assessments?

WHETHER you are buying or selling a home, the earliest you involve an attorney, the better.  Since you will need to enter into a contract from the get go, only an attorney can provide sound legal advice as to any contract contingencies.

When hiring an attorney to handle your closing, you get informed of your rights, and counsel every step of the way.

Without an attorney by your side, you may face legal consequences before or after closing.  You could be facing a breach of contract lawsuit or other type of lawsuit based on your lack of understanding of the contract and your obligations.

PEACE OF MIND

The choice is yours.  You can either hire an attorney  that is a title agent or a non-lawyer title agency to handle your title insurance and closing needs.

The cost of closing with an attorney is the same as a non-attorney agent.

However, expect to pay more when you use a title company as they have staff and other processors you have to pay for.  As opposed to an attorney.

Ask for a free estimate of costs, or a pre-HUD when you select an attorney to represent you. There is no charge for this and you will get an accurate picture of what you need to pay at closing.

At the Law Offices of Jacqueline A. Salcines, P.A. we are experienced attorneys and accountants, holding dual degrees to better serve you and your real estate needs.  Allow us to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

If you are buying or selling real estate, call us today to see how we can help you.

Main office 305 | 669 | 5280. Or email the attorney directly: J.Salcines@Salcineslaw.com

TRUST |  COMMITMENT  | RESULTS

Jacqueline A. Salcines

Jacqueline A. Salcines

JACQUELINE A. SALCINES, ESQ.
706 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SECOND FLOOR
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
TEL. 305 669 5280
EMAIL: J.SALCINES@SALCINESLAW.
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CFPB AND THE DOJ TAKE INTEREST IN PRACTICE OF LENDERS

House and lawThe practice of lenders charging more for products or excluding minorities within certain geographic areas has caught the interest of Officials for both the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Justice  (DOJ).  Stern warnings have been issued to lenders who show signs of practicing in such prohibited acts damaging borrowers ability to obtain mortgage loans.

The DOJ has so far opened 25 fair lending investigations by the end of 2014 and 10 of those were done jointly  with the CFPB” stated Steven Rosenbaum, the DOJ Chief of the Civil Rights Division of Housing and Civil Enforcement.

“In some cases of redlining, lenders literally drew a red line on a map around neighborhoods to which they did not want to lend, which gave this practice its name 9″redlining”).”  Says Sam Gilford, a spokesman for the CFPB.

The CFPB acts in a supervisory capacity to make sure lenders are adhering to correct and ethical lending practices.  If lenders are found to have violated principles of lending, they can be fined strict penalties.

Make sure if you are seeking a loan for a mortgage, that you hire the services of a real estate attorney to not only make sure your lenders practices are ethical, but to make sure that you are protected every step of the way.

The experienced real estate attorneys at Jacqueline Salcines, PA aggressively represent you in your mortgage and loan needs.

Call us today to see how we can help you.

Main office 305 | 669 | 5280. Or email the attorney directly: J.Salcines@Salcineslaw.com

TRUST |  COMMITMENT  | RESULTS

Jacqueline A. Salcines

Jacqueline A. Salcines

JACQUELINE A. SALCINES, ESQ.
706 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SECOND FLOOR
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
TEL. 305 669 5280
EMAIL: J.SALCINES@SALCINESLAW.
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DEFENDING A FORECLOSURE IN FLORIDA

Foreclosure Attorney Florida

House and lawIn Florida, defending a foreclosure is not for the faint of heart.  With all the banks committing illegal acts and  predatory lending practices, it makes no sense for a homeowner to go it alone. For many South Florida families, their homestead is one of the biggest assets they will ever own.  When that is jeopardized either because of a loss of a job, loss of income, a divorce, an unexpected medical condition, or other financial hardship, the prognosis can look bleak.  However, by contacting the right Florida foreclosure defense lawyer, this can make all the difference.

Whether you want to attempt a loan modification under the Making Home Affordable Program, HAMP I, HAMP II, or the Unemployment Modification Program, or the Servicemen Program, we are knowledgeable in all aspects of the loan modification.

Perhaps you want to walk away gracefully in a short sale or deed in lieu.  We have experienced attorneys that go to work for you to obtain a waiver of deficiency and can even get you $10,000.oo in short sale relocation assistance of up to $12,000.00 in cash for keys negotiations.

Don’t just walk away. By consulting with a knowledgeable attorney when you are first served with the foreclosure complaint, we are armed and go to work for you.

The experienced foreclosure attorneys at Jacqueline Salcines, PA aggressively defend foreclosures on the merits of your case, helping you remain in your home during the foreclosure process, giving you and your family the time and ability to begin rebuilding your finances.

Our loss mitigation, loan modification and short sale lawyers and Florida mortgage defense attorneys will personally review your case and help you decide on the best course of action, including foreclosure defense, settlement of a second mortgage, loan modification, refinance, short-sale,  or deed in lieu.

Jacqueline Salcines P.A. – Foreclosure Attorney Florida

With the recent  legislation fast-tracking foreclosure cases in Florida, a case can go from being filed to foreclosure auction sale in 6 months. Therefore, it is of most importance that you hire an attorney as soon as you are served. The banks have lawyers assisting them, and so should you.  It is extremely important that you consult with an experienced attorney immediately in order to better protect you, your family and your home from the bank. Time is of the essence. There are options to foreclosure. You don’t have to lose your home.

You can fight to save your home from foreclosure and the attorneys at Jacqueline Salcines P.A. can be your first line of defense. Call us now at our main office 305 | 669 | 5280. Or email the attorney directly: J.Salcines@Salcineslaw.com

TRUST |  COMMITMENT  | RESULTS

Jacqueline A. Salcines

Jacqueline A. Salcines

JACQUELINE A. SALCINES, ESQ.
706 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SECOND FLOOR
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
TEL. 305 669 5280
EMAIL: J.SALCINES@SALCINESLAW.
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GOVERNMENT EXTENDS THE HAMP PROGRAM TO 2016

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Loan Modification Green Road Sign with dramatic clouds and sky. The Government has announced that the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) will be extended until the end of 2016.

HAMP provides modifications for homeowners that are  facing hardships and can no longer afford their mortgages.

In order to qualify for a loan modification under HAMP, the guidelines are strict and  require a homeowner to have income (although disability and unemployment qualify).  Once qualified, HAMP is a loan modification program that can lower interest rate to 2%, and significantly  lower homeowners  monthly mortgage payments.

At the law firm of Jacqueline Salcines, PA we handle homeowner qualification for HAMP since the program was initiated in 2009.   We are keenly aware and have programs to qualify borrowers, while they continue to face the challenges of paying their mortgage or refinancing their loans.

Our HAMP experience has been obtained by working closely with lenders and  borrowers, in both the mortgage and real estate arena, to represent them in litigation involving foreclosures and loss mitigation options.

South Florida Loan Modification and Foreclosure Lawyers

Many homeowners do not know they have options when their properties are underwater.  Since 2009,  HAMP has been successful at providing relies for hundreds of thousands of homeowners and frankly is the best program to qualify for.  The fact that the government has elected to extend HAMP for Homeowners is wonderful news.

The most important thing a homeowner can do is hire an attorney to qualify them prior to submitting any loan modification application. By qualifying you up front, a HAMP modification becomes streamlined and often approved quickly.

If you need assistance to see if you qualify, call us today.

 Or email attorney Jacqueline Salcines directly  at J.Salcines@Salcineslaw.com

TRUST |  COMMITMENT  | RESULTS

Jacqueline A. Salcines

Jacqueline A. Salcines

JACQUELINE A. SALCINES, ESQ.
706 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SECOND FLOOR
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
TEL. 305 669 5280
EMAIL: J.SALCINES@SALCINESLAW.COM
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