Ocala, Florida
Real Estate Attorneys Serving Ocala, Marion County
Florida real estate counsel for purchases, sales, contract review, and foreclosure defense from David H. Walkowiak, Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar. Ocala real estate work runs from clean closings to contracts that turn ugly at the title search. When a Ocala deal has a closing deadline and a problem that isn't going away on its own, the question is usually whether it can still close on time.
How we approach real estate matters in Ocala
Ocala is about ninety minutes north of our Lutz office on I-75. Ocala sits at the heart of Florida horse country, and the real estate market reflects that. Downtown residential alongside horse farms, agricultural parcels, and large gated retirement communities. David is Board Certified in Real Estate Law through The Florida Bar, and Ocala transactions benefit regularly from experience with large-parcel and agricultural closings. Gwen drafts Florida estate plans for Ocala families under the same Florida statutes that apply in every county.
Marion County courts and local practice notes
Marion recording moves through the Marion Clerk. Horse-farm transactions, agricultural land, and the gated retirement communities around Ocala are all regular work.
Directions from Ocala: From Ocala, the drive to our Lutz office runs about ninety minutes south on I-75. Most Ocala engagements are handled without that drive. Phone and Zoom consultations open the engagement. Closings coordinate remotely with the Ocala area title company. E-signing, secure document portal, and video calls cover the rest. Ocala clients who want an in person meeting can make the drive in a single morning.
About our real estate practice
For most Floridians, a home is the single largest investment they will ever make. When something goes wrong with that investment, the stakes compound quickly. DHW Law has been handling Florida real estate matters for 25 years, with David Walkowiak’s Board Certification in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar shaping the approach. This is the practice area the firm was built around.
Buying or selling property in Florida
Every transaction is an accumulation of details that can go wrong. We draft and review purchase and sale contracts, order and review title searches, coordinate inspections, review loan documents, and handle closing for both buyers and sellers. For for-sale-by-owner transactions, we represent one side or the other, never both, and make sure the contract protects the client who hired us.
Foreclosure defense: the first 20 days matter
Florida is a judicial-foreclosure state, which means the lender must file a lawsuit and give you an opportunity to respond. You have 20 days from the date you are served to file your response with the court. Missing that deadline exposes you to a default judgment and makes every subsequent option harder.
When homeowners call us after a foreclosure complaint, we review the loan documents, the service of process, the notice of default, and the assignment chain before we decide on strategy. Available options depend on the facts, but typically include:
- Loan modification. A renegotiation of the loan terms with the lender.
- Forbearance. A temporary pause in payments.
- Short sale. Sale of the property for less than the loan balance, with lender approval.
- Reinstatement. Paying the arrears and returning the loan to current status.
- Raising defenses. Standing, notice, accounting, and procedural defenses that can change the outcome of the lawsuit itself.
Not every option fits every situation. The right answer depends on your income, your equity, the lender’s posture, and the stage of the litigation. That determination is the first conversation we have.
Real estate litigation and disputes
Beyond transactions and foreclosure defense, we handle quiet title actions, boundary disputes, HOA and condominium matters, landlord-tenant litigation, and real estate contract disputes. When a case needs to go to trial, we try it. When mediation is the better tool, David’s Supreme Court certified mediator credential often lets us resolve the dispute without a courtroom.
Common questions
Frequently asked about real estate in Ocala
Can DHW Law handle a Ocala real estate closing remotely?
We close Ocala transactions with e-signing, wire instructions coordinated with the title company, and documents exchanged through a secure portal. Florida real estate counsel does not require a face-to-face meeting to get a closing done.
I just got served with a foreclosure. How long do I have?
Twenty days from the date you were served to file your response with the court. Missing the deadline risks a default judgment, which is far harder to undo than to prevent. Call us the same day you're served if you can.
What options do I have if I can't pay my mortgage?
Depending on the facts, options include loan modification, forbearance, a short sale, refinancing, or raising defenses to the foreclosure itself. Not every option fits every situation, and some are time-sensitive.
Do I need a real estate attorney for a standard purchase?
Florida lets title companies handle closings, but a real estate attorney catches problems a title company isn't paid to catch. Contract terms, disclosure issues, inspection results, and title defects can cost you years later. A house is the single largest investment most people ever make.
What does "Board Certified in Real Estate Law" actually mean?
The Florida Bar Board Certification is awarded after written examination, peer review, and documented trial and transactional experience. Approximately 2% of Florida attorneys hold any board certification. David H. Walkowiak holds it in real estate law.
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