Zombies and liens

On Behalf of | Oct 5, 2016 | Real Estate Disputes |

Whether you are a Miami landlord, you want to flip the property, or you are simply looking for a new place to live, you may be considering the benefits of a home that has gone through foreclosure. We at Cuevas and Garcia, P.A., have assisted many buyers who want to be sure they are not getting more than they bargained for when it comes to the costs associated with the property.

Foreclosed homes are often referred to as zombies when they have been abandoned by homeowners, but are still in limbo and remain empty until the bank that forecloses resells them. According to HousingWire.com, if the house you are thinking about purchasing has been empty a significant amount of time, it may have liens placed on it for issues that lead to violations of the city code. Because of a recent decision by the Fourth District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, you may become responsible for paying those liens when you purchase the property.

Some liens, such as those that are placed on a title before the foreclosure process is completed, may be removed if you file an action for quiet title. But, some may be passed on to you as the buyer if the citations came about after the final judgment on the foreclosure, but before the judicial sale. Foreclosures typically take between two and three years to complete in Florida, a length of time that could cause many abandoned homes to develop code issues that lead to liens. More information about titles is available on our web page.

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