Expert: Dick Dennis - 7/8/2009

Question
A former landlord got so pleased with our responsibility on the payments and the care of the house that is offering me to buy the house from him at my own schedule.  He will authorize the bank to deal with me (allowing me to ask questions and receive answers), I will pay directly to the bank and when I am ready I will buy the house without paying him anything (he just want to get "rid" of the house debt).  Then I am kind of getting a house with 0 down.  I do not qualify for a mortgage right now due to taxes debts that I am currently paying.   How could I do a contract that protect my interests on this case.  No attorneys wants to take the case (Orlando, Florida), they refer me to Public notary.   What are your thoughts on this one?

Thank you

Answer
Hector, you definitely need to have a REAL ESTATE attorney handle this for you if you want to make sure your interests are protected. Keep on looking and asking where you can find a good RE attorney. You can ask a Realtor manager in a real estate office and ask him/her for a recommendation. Every office has one that they use.

What I don't understand is that you referred to the seller as a "former landlord", which means he is not your landlord now. I am warning you. Do not do this transaction without a RE attorney. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis