June 2013 Vol. 3, No. 6
The June 2013 issue of South Florida Cooperator newspaper focuses on Law & Legislation.
In this issue, you can read about community association bills, top 5 things lawyers wish boards knew, handling lawsuits and Fort Myers, Florida
Visit our archives to see other articles that were published in 2013.
News Briefs
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03.29.2013 Owners of Energy-Efficient Homes Less Likely To Default On Mortgages.
[The Real Deal South Florida] -
03.29.2013 Florida Foreclosure Inventory Drops, But State Still Leads Nation In Defaulted Homes. Florida remains the foreclosure capital of the U.S., the Miami Herald
reported. 95,177 foreclosures were processed in the last year in the
state, according to numbers from CoreLogic.
[The Real Deal South Florida] - 03.28.2013 Florida Led the Nation in Foreclosures Completed in 2012. For the year ended in February, 95,177 foreclosures were completed in Florida more than in any other state, according to CoreLogic.[Miami Herald]
- 03.28.2013 Downtown Miami To Get New Loft-Style Condo. TNewgard Development Group is planning a 36-story, 352-unit condominium tower at 151 SE First Street, in Miami’s Central Business District, the Miami Herald reported.ower.[The Real Deal South Florida]
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03.26.2013 Nelson Wants Probe Into Florida's Foreclosure Aid Program.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is calling for an investigation into how Florida administers $1 billion in federal money meant for struggling homeowners.[Sun-Sentinel] -
03.20.2013 Broward Home Prices Rise 23 Percent in February.
Home prices and sales rose in February from a year ago as the hot streak for South Florida’s housing market continues.[Sun-Sentinel]
Featured Articles
Florida Lawmakers Ponder Community Association Bills
Community associations would be authorized to install hurricane-proof doors, delay elevator upgrades, deny to delinquent owners the use of certain amenities and services, and allow more lenient access to records; streamline foreclosure proceedings. Read More
Listen Up!
While some condos and HOAs have a lawyer present on its board, the majority of boards don’t have a legal expert and often reach out to their lawyer to answer questions, vet documents, send the occasional stern letter to a contractor or recalcitrant resident, and handle any litigation that’s not avoidable by other means. Read More
Handling Lawsuits
Lawsuits are usually not an association’s go-to method for dispute resolution. Expensive and time-consuming, they can quickly turn into a financial burden and may create strained relations in the community. Unfortunately, in some cases there’s no other way out. Last year a couple filed a suit against a neighbor, the association, individual board members, and property managers, who all neglected to respond to the couple’s complaint of odors infiltrating their unit, the result of 20 cats inhabiting the neighbor’s unit below. Read More
Fort Myers, Florida
Known for its pristine white sand beaches, deep-sea fishing and golf courses, Fort Myers is quickly becoming one of South Florida's go-to destinations for those seeking a spot that offers as much recreational activities as it does historical and cultural attractions. Fort Myers, which is the largest city in southwest Florida, has a population that is increasing steadily, with 62,298 people calling the city home in 2012—up 23 percent since 2000. Read More
