Real Estate Law

Caleb Pringle represents buyers, sellers, investors and families in residential and commercial real estate matters throughout Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties. He also teaches the law portion of the Florida real estate sales associate licensing course and works regularly with agents and brokers on transactions from contract to closing.

Purchases and Sales

Many problems in real estate transactions could have been avoided at the contract stage. A review before signing explains what the contract commits you to, including the inspection period, the financing and appraisal contingencies, the deposit deadlines and what happens if the other side doesn’t close. For purchases in a condominium or HOA community, the review also covers the governing documents and the estoppel certificate, so you know the rules and what is owed before closing, not after.

Deeds and Title

The firm prepares deeds for transfers between family members, transfers into a revocable trust, and enhanced life estate deeds, often called Lady Bird deeds. A Lady Bird deed lets an owner keep control of the property during their lifetime while passing it to a beneficiary at death without probate.

Title searches sometimes turn up problems, such as an old mortgage that was never released, a gap in the chain of title or an heir who was never accounted for. The firm works to clear those issues so the property can be sold or refinanced.

Real Estate and Probate

Much of the firm’s real estate work overlaps with its probate practice. When someone dies owning Florida property in their own name, the property usually can’t be sold until the court gives the personal representative authority to sign the deed. Florida’s homestead laws can also limit who the property passes to, regardless of what the will says. Handling the probate and the sale together means the family has one lawyer looking at both, and the closing isn’t held up waiting on the estate.

If you’re buying, selling or dealing with property in an estate, call 239-332-4717 or send a message using the form below.