Real Estate Attorney in Hollywood, FL
A real estate attorney in Hollywood, FL reviews contracts, closes sales and resolves property disputes for owners, buyers and investors in south Broward County. Joseph S. Hughes of Hughes Real Estate Law handles every matter himself and meets clients by appointment in Hollywood. He earned his J.D. at the University of Miami School of Law and has more than 10 years of practice in Florida real estate law. Hollywood’s mix of beachfront condos, older single-family homes and small commercial strips brings its own legal issues. Here is how we help.
What Does a Real Estate Attorney in Hollywood, FL Do?
Most of the work happens before closing. Florida deeds must meet the signing and witness rules in Chapter 689, Florida Statutes. Contracts set the deadlines for inspections, financing and title objections. Joseph Hughes reviews those terms, catches title problems early and stays involved if a dispute follows.
| Service | How it helps Hollywood owners | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Contract review | Sets fair deadlines and protects your deposit | Contract review and drafting |
| Closings | Reviews the settlement statement, liens and deed | Real estate closings |
| Condo and HOA disputes | Assessments, fines, approvals and board actions | HOA attorney |
| Title problems | Clouds on title, boundary issues, quiet title | Title dispute attorney |
| Landlord and tenant | Leases, notices and evictions | Landlord-tenant lawyer |
| Litigation | Contract breaches, fraud and co-owner disputes | Real estate litigation |
Hollywood clients work directly with Joseph Hughes from the first call through closing or trial. He reviews your documents, explains your options in plain terms and tells you what each step will involve, so you can decide with the full picture in front of you.
Buying or Selling a Hollywood Condo
Many Hollywood sales involve condominiums along the beach and the Intracoastal. These deals carry extra steps:
- Association approval of the buyer, on the timeline set in the condo documents
- Review of the budget, reserves and any special assessments
- Building inspection and reserve study reports, which Florida now requires for many condo buildings three stories or taller
- Estoppel certificates confirming what the seller owes the association
- Rental and pet restrictions in the declaration
A problem in any of these can delay or end a closing. Under section 718.503(2), a resale buyer who did not receive the association documents more than 7 days before signing can cancel within 7 days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after receiving them. Joseph Hughes reviews the condo documents during that window, while you can still cancel. Our guide to the Florida condo milestone inspection law explains the inspection and reserve study rules.
Selling a Hollywood Home
Sellers have duties too. Florida courts require home sellers to disclose known defects that materially affect value and are not easy to see. Sellers of residential property must also give buyers the flood disclosure in section 689.302 at or before signing, covering known flood damage, flood insurance claims and flood assistance. That matters in a coastal city like Hollywood. We review disclosure forms, the listing agreement and the settlement statement so a sale does not turn into a lawsuit after closing. See our Florida seller disclosure guide.
Landlords and Rental Owners in Hollywood
Hollywood has many seasonal and long-term rentals. Florida’s residential landlord and tenant rules are in Part II of Chapter 83, Florida Statutes. They set the rules for security deposits, notices and evictions. A missed notice or a deposit handled the wrong way can delay an eviction or create liability. Joseph Hughes drafts leases, prepares notices and handles evictions for Hollywood owners. He also represents tenants in disputes with a landlord. Security deposits follow strict deadlines under section 83.49: a landlord who makes no claim must return the deposit within 15 days after the tenant leaves, and a landlord who intends to keep part of it must send written notice within 30 days.
Vacation Rentals Near Hollywood Beach
Homes and condos near Hollywood Beach and the Broadwalk are popular as short-term rentals. The City of Hollywood requires a vacation rental license under Chapter 119 of its code of ordinances. The application calls for proof of the owner’s state transient lodging license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, tax registrations where they apply, city and county business tax receipts, and a named vacation rental representative. The city will not issue a license for a property with open code violations.
Condo owners face a second set of rules. Many Hollywood condo declarations limit or prohibit short-term rentals, and those limits apply even if the city would issue a license. Check both before you buy a unit to rent or list one you own. Learn more about our landlord representation.
Permits, Code Issues and Older Homes in Hollywood
Much of Hollywood’s housing was built decades ago, and some additions and conversions were never permitted. Open permits and code liens can follow the property to a new owner. We review permit history and lien searches before closing. Our code compliance and lien removal work helps owners clear problems that are already recorded.
Downtown Hollywood and Commercial Property
Downtown Hollywood centers on Hollywood Boulevard and Young Circle, the roughly 10-acre park at U.S. 1 that is home to the ArtsPark. The downtown historic business district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Restaurants, shops and offices here and along the city’s other commercial corridors rely on commercial leases, which often shift taxes, insurance and maintenance to the tenant.
Joseph Hughes reviews commercial leases and purchase contracts for landlords and tenants and handles defaults. In Florida, a commercial landlord can recover possession only through the court, surrender or abandonment under section 83.05(2). See our commercial real estate attorney page.
Real Estate Attorney Serving Hollywood and South Broward
Hollywood is part of Broward County’s Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Joseph Hughes meets clients by appointment in Hollywood and at his office at 1141 SE 2nd Ave in Fort Lauderdale. We also serve nearby Dania Beach, Davie, Cooper City and Sunrise. Business owners can see our commercial real estate attorney page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a home in Hollywood, FL?
No law requires one. Still, an attorney protects your deposit and catches title, condo and permit issues before you are bound. That matters most with condos and older homes.
Can a Hollywood condo association reject a buyer?
Yes, if the declaration gives it approval rights. The association must follow the procedure in its own documents. We review those documents so you know the timeline and grounds in advance.
Where can I meet a real estate attorney near me in Hollywood?
Joseph Hughes meets clients by appointment in Hollywood and at the Fort Lauderdale office. Call (954) 256-5125 to schedule a time that works for you.
Do I need a license to rent my Hollywood home or condo short term?
Usually, yes. The City of Hollywood requires a vacation rental license, and the owner also needs a state transient lodging license and the applicable tax registrations. If the property is a condo, the declaration may limit or ban short-term rentals regardless of the license.
Protect Your Hollywood Property Before You Sign
Whether you are buying a condo, selling a family home or facing a dispute, an early review keeps your options open. Talk with a real estate attorney in Hollywood, FL who handles your matter personally. Learn about Joseph Hughes, call (954) 256-5125 or request a consultation.
