Article Courtesy of ABC Action News By Michael Paluska Published January 25, 2022 TAMPA — Homeowner’s insurance rates will continue to go up for at least two more years as legislators work to control lawsuits filed by attorneys on behalf of roofing contractors. Many people will be surprised to learn Florida’s homeowner’s insurance woes that we are currently facing are getting fueled by something other than inclement weather. “These are not storm-related losses that are impacting Florida homeowners,” Mark Friedlander, Director of Corporate Communications at the Insurance Information Institute ..read more

Article Courtesy of Florida Realtors By Jeff Lazerson Published January 27, 2022 Fannie’s tighter loan requirements post-Surfside collapse started Jan. 1; Freddie’s start Feb. 28. In the meantime, the list of no-loan condo projects will likely keep growing. A nightmare scenario looms for condo buyers applying for certain types of federally backed mortgages. If you are selling or are looking to buy an attached condominium in a community with five or more attached units, conventional financing from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may soon become elusive. Beginning Jan. 1 for Fannie a ..read more

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel By Ron Hurtibise Published October 26, 2021 Homeowners hoping for an end to steep property insurance rate increases next year might as well start looking for other expenses to trim. It’s not happening. Costs won’t be stabilizing or going down anytime soon, multiple officials told state lawmakers during committee hearings in Tallahassee over the past few weeks. Insurance rates will continue to rise into next year and the foreseeable future as insurers continue to deal with mounting losses from fraudulent claims and litigation, they said. Whether ..read more

Article Courtesy of  The Doral Family Journal By Edda Pujadas Published November 11, 2021 The main objective of the proposed reform is to achieve that the communities and the management of their funds are properly handled. The most important points of the proposed reform to the Condominium and Homeowners Association Laws are that the board members attain academic preparation, that the reserve funds are duly maintained, and that there is transparency from the management to ensure good use of the resources to avoid fraud and abuse of power. Senator Ana María Rodriguez, representing Dist ..read more

Article Courtesy of The Orlando Sentinel By Brendan Farrington Published October 19, 2021 TALLAHASSEE — Florida legislators should overhaul the state’s condominium laws in the wake of the Surfside building collapse that killed 98 to address inspections, ensuring proper reserves are in place to make major safety repairs and other issues, according to a task force report prepared by a section of the Florida Bar. The Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the bar formed the task force bringing together lawyers specializing in condominium and association laws. The goal was not to in ..read more

Article Courtesy of The Next Door Advisor By Elizabeth Rivelli Published June 13, 2021 Whether you live in a single-family house, a condo, or an apartment, having property insurance is important to protect your personal items and your liabilities, among other things. But when you belong to a homeowners association (HOA), you’re responsible for more than just your own property — that’s why you should also consider getting loss assessment coverage. As of 2020, more than 53% of the owner-occupied dwellings in the United States are governed by an HOA, according to Homeowner Associations ..read more

You love your condo. It is a place of comfort and refuge. One of the great things about living in a condominium is the many services that are provided to you. If you are part of an association of condo owners, then you will be relieved of the burden of keeping up the grounds. The board of directors of your association are responsible for this job, and it is right for you to hold them to it.  The general appearance of your condo community has a significant impact on the value of your property. The grounds of the community should be kept tidy and well-manicured. If your condo association f ..read more

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel By Ron Hurtibise Published November 17, 2020 As Florida homeowners recover from shocking cost increases for their next year of insurance coverage, pressure is mounting on state lawmakers to step in and stem the bleeding.      Property owners have been waking up to premium hikes as high as 30% to 40% for their upcoming policy terms. Insurance insiders hope their anger will force the Florida Legislature to adopt reforms aimed at quelling runaway litigation costs during the 2021 legislative session that begins March 1. “We sup ..read more

Article Courtesy of The Herald-Tribune By The Associated Press    Published July 3, 2019 FORT LAUDERDALE — Fed up with the high taxes and regulation back home in New York, retired officer Thomas Maloney and his wife, real estate agent Theresa Hart, are looking to offload a home in Long Island — quickly. “It’s been a thorn in my side for the past seven years,” Maloney said. Between regulations that favor tenants and rising city and state taxes, they say they’re “just not comfortable” being landlords in New York. The Palm Beach County couple’s story reflects a growing mood amon ..read more

Posted by Bakalar & Associates, PA 7/10/19 The Law Offices of Bakalar & Associates, PA is pleased to announce that as of June 1, 2018 attorneys Susan P. Bakalar and Leonard Wilder have received their certification in Condominium & Planned Development from The Florida Bar.  This is the highest recognition by The Florida Bar for an attorney in their specialty. ATTORNEYS INDICATING “BOARD CERTIFIED,” OR “SPECIALIST,” OR “EXPERT” HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE FLORIDA BAR AS HAVING SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PROFICIENCY IN THEIR AREAS OF PRACTICE AND HAVE BEEN EVALUATED BY THE BA ..read more