Real Estate • Development • Litigation
Douglas N. Burnett
Real estate transactions, development, land use, commercial property matters and complex real estate litigation.
St. Johns Law Group Real Estate Attorneys
St. Augustine Real Estate Attorneys
Closings. Contracts. Commercial Real Estate. Land Use. Property Litigation.
St. Johns Law Group represents buyers, sellers, property owners, investors, developers, businesses and associations in residential and commercial real estate matters throughout St. Augustine, St. Johns County and Northeast Florida.
Our real estate practice extends from contract review, title and closing through commercial transactions, leasing, deeds, development, zoning, easements, property disputes, litigation, trial and appeal.
✓St. Augustine Area’s Largest Law Firm
✓Residential and commercial real estate counsel
✓Transaction, development and litigation capabilities
St. Johns Law Group
St. Augustine Area’s Largest Law Firm
15 Attorneys
Full-Service Legal Team
300+ Years
Combined Legal Experience
100+ Jury Trials
Trial Experience Across the Team
1,000s of Closings
Real Estate Transactions
Explore Our Real Estate Practice
Real Estate Legal Services
Start with the part of our real estate practice that best matches your transaction, development matter or property dispute.
Transactions & Closings
Residential and commercial closings, title, contracts, buyer and seller representation, FSBO matters and leasing.
Explore Transactions & Closings →Development & Land Use
Zoning, PUDs, development agreements, entitlements, due diligence and governmental approvals.
Explore Development & Land Use →Real Estate Litigation
Contract, deposit, title, easement, boundary, ownership, association and hidden-defect disputes.
Explore Real Estate Litigation →Transactions & Closings
Commercial Real Estate
Ownership & Property
Closing Day at St. Johns Law GroupAttorneys • Title Agents • Closing Professionals
Closings & Title
Real Estate Closings at Title Company Prices®
Combine title and closing services with access to a full-service real estate law firm.
SJLG handles residential and commercial closings while attorneys within the firm are available to address contracts, title, deeds, property rights and transaction issues when legal counsel is appropriate.
- Residential purchases and sales
- Commercial transactions
- Title searches and commitments
- Title insurance
- Contract review
- Buyer and seller representation
- Deeds and recording
- Title and survey issues
Real Estate Attorneys & Closing Professionals
Meet the Real Estate Team
The real estate practice is led by three primary real estate attorneys, supported by closing professionals and attorneys handling related litigation, construction, association and estate-property matters.
Primary Real Estate Attorneys
Transaction, Contract & Property Counsel
Real Estate • Contracts • Leasing
Megan Burnett Drysdale
Real estate transactions, purchase and sale agreements, contract review, amendments and leasing matters.
Real Estate • Title • Commercial Transactions
John L. Whiteman
Commercial real estate, title, transactions, banking and complex property matters.
Closing & Title Professionals
The Team Behind the Closing Table
Christina Guyette and Katie Lemelin work with the firm's attorneys to coordinate real estate closings, title and transaction documentation.
Title Agent & Closing Agent
Christina Guyette
Title, escrow and closing coordination for residential, commercial and investment transactions.
Closing Agent & Deeds
Katie Lemelin
Closing coordination, deeds, transaction documents and real estate closing support.
Additional Property Counsel
Litigation, Construction, Association & Estate-Property Matters
Construction • Property Litigation
Shaun C. Saliba
Construction, contract and property litigation involving real estate and project disputes.
Litigation • Appeals
Alex Nunchuck
Contract and property disputes, civil litigation and appellate representation.
Property • Business • Litigation
Eric D. Whitcher
Property and business matters, ownership issues, litigation and asset-protection planning.
HOA • Condominium • Property Disputes
Hillary N. Mesa
Association law, covenants, governance and property disputes involving HOA and condominium communities.
Probate • Guardianship • Property Issues
Felecia Walker
Probate and guardianship matters involving ownership, administration or disposition of Florida real property.
Florida Deeds & Property TransfersOwnership • Title • Estate Planning
Deeds & Property Transfers
Florida Deed Strategies for Ownership & Estate Planning
Real estate owners often need legal help changing title, transferring an ownership interest or planning how Florida property will pass in the future.
SJLG assists with deed preparation, review, execution and recording while considering the broader consequences of the property transfer.
Property Transfers
Florida Quitclaim Deeds
Transfer an ownership interest, add or remove an owner, place property into a trust or address other voluntary title changes.
Explore Quitclaim Deeds → Probate-Avoidance PlanningEnhanced Life Estate / Lady Bird Deeds
An enhanced life estate deed may allow an owner to retain control while planning for transfer of property at death when appropriate.
Explore Lady Bird Deeds →
Residential Real Estate
Legal Guidance for Florida Buyers & Sellers
Contracts, inspections, disclosures, financing, title, surveys, associations and deadlines can materially affect a residential real estate transaction.
- Buyer representation
- Seller representation
- Contract drafting and review
- Inspection and repair issues
- Title and survey review
- FSBO transactions
- HOA and condominium issues
- Closing and title services
Florida Residential Real EstateContracts • Title • Closing • Property Issues
Commercial Real Estate CounselAcquisition • Leasing • Development • Disposition
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial Transactions, Leasing & Investment Property
Commercial property matters may involve acquisition, contracts, due diligence, title, survey, financing, leasing, development and business considerations.
- Commercial acquisitions
- Commercial sales
- Office, retail and industrial leasing
- Investor transactions
- 1031 exchange-related services
- Development and entitlement matters
Development • Land Use • Zoning
From Property Acquisition to Development Approval
Development potential may depend on zoning, comprehensive-plan provisions, development approvals, variances, special exceptions, infrastructure and governmental review.
- Rezoning
- PUDs
- Comprehensive-plan matters
- Variances
- Special use approvals
- Development agreements
- Property due diligence
- Government proceedings
Real Estate Client Reviews
What Real Estate Clients Say About St. Johns Law Group
Selected client reviews involving real estate closings, property matters, development and construction-related legal work.
★★★★★
“Christina Guyette has been absolutely wonderful to work with on my closing. She is kind, knowledgeable and thorough, and always takes the time to explain everything clearly.”
Darlene FratelloClient Review • June 7
★★★★★
“We went under-contract late on a Friday and were closed the following Wednesday! Christina Guyette made the entire process easy and speedy.”
Amanda Arnett
★★★★★
“We utilize them for all of our real estate and construction related legal needs. I would highly recommend them to anyone.”
Poseidon Builders
★★★★★
“This group has represented me for the last 8 years with start up companies, property acquisitions, land investments, building constructions, tenant agreements, and more.”
John Thousand
★★★★★
“Doug and his team were great! They were knowledgeable and responsive. Their expertise and attention to detail made a complex process much easier to navigate.”
Megan VidalClient Review • July 10
★★★★★
“St. Johns Law Group, and in particular Hillary Mesa, has been excellent in representing our organization. She is prompt, courteous and always professional.”
Carol Morse
Real Estate Litigation Attorneys
When a Real Estate Problem Becomes a Lawsuit
SJLG handles disputes involving contracts, deposits, title, ownership, easements, disclosure claims and other property rights.
Recent Civil & Commercial Jury Trial Results
3 Jury Trials • 3 Wins • 3 Months
One of the recent jury trials involved a significant Florida real estate deposit dispute. Our broader trial team handles complex property, contract, construction and business litigation.
Contract Disputes
Purchase agreements, defaults, termination, performance and damages.
Contract Disputes →Deposit & Escrow Disputes
Earnest-money disputes when a Florida transaction terminates or fails to close.
Deposit Disputes →Easement Disputes
Access, use, location, maintenance and interference with recorded property rights.
Easement Litigation →Quiet Title
Ownership disputes, title defects and competing claims affecting Florida property.
Quiet Title →Partition & Co-Owner Disputes
Disputes concerning jointly owned Florida real property.
Partition Actions →Hidden Defects
Seller disclosure and Johnson v. Davis claims involving alleged property defects.
Hidden Defect Claims →Prior results are provided for informational purposes only. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in another matter.
Interactive Real Estate Resources
Florida Real Estate Calculators & Tools
Estimate potential closing costs and identify important contract deadlines with SJLG real estate tools.
Buyer & Seller Tool
Florida Closing Cost Calculator
Estimate seller net proceeds, cash-buyer closing costs and financed-buyer closing costs for Florida transactions.
Estimate Closing Costs → Contract DeadlinesFlorida Real Estate Critical Dates
Calculate important dates commonly associated with Florida real estate contracts.
Calculate Contract Dates → Real Estate ResourcesClosing, Realtor & Zoning Resources
Access additional resources for transactions, title, closings, development and land use.
Explore Resources →Calculator results are estimates for general informational purposes only. Actual costs, credits, taxes, title charges, financing expenses and deadlines may vary.
One Legal Team
Real Estate Matters Often Cross Practice Areas
A property issue may involve construction, land use, association law, probate, business relationships or litigation. SJLG can draw on attorneys across these related practices.
Florida Real Estate FAQs
Common Real Estate Law Questions
Do I need an attorney for a Florida real estate closing?
Florida does not generally require an attorney in every residential closing, but an attorney can provide legal advice about contracts, title, disclosures and disputes that a non-lawyer closing professional cannot provide.
Can an attorney review a real estate contract before I sign it?
Yes. Pre-signing review can identify deadlines, contingencies, financing provisions, inspection rights, title requirements, default provisions and other terms affecting the transaction.
Can SJLG handle the closing and legal issues that arise during the transaction?
SJLG provides closing and title services and also has attorneys handling contracts, title, deeds, commercial real estate, development, land use and litigation. The scope of legal representation depends on the engagement.
What is a Florida quitclaim deed?
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever ownership interest the grantor has without the title warranties associated with some other types of deeds.
What is a Lady Bird deed in Florida?
An enhanced life estate deed, often called a Lady Bird deed, may allow an owner to retain specified control during life while providing for transfer at death.
What happens if a Florida real estate transaction does not close?
The parties' rights generally depend on the contract and the reason the transaction failed. Issues may include financing, inspections, title, default, termination and entitlement to the escrow deposit.
Can SJLG handle zoning and development matters?
Yes. Development matters may involve zoning, rezonings, PUDs, comprehensive-plan issues, variances, special use approvals, development agreements and governmental proceedings.
Does SJLG handle real estate lawsuits?
Yes. The firm's litigation attorneys handle property-related disputes involving contracts, deposits, title, ownership, easements, associations and other real estate issues.
Northeast Florida Real Estate Counsel
Areas We Serve
St. Johns Law Group is based in St. Augustine and represents real estate clients throughout Northeast Florida.
St. Augustine & St. Johns County
St. Augustine • St. Augustine Beach • Ponte Vedra • Ponte Vedra Beach • Nocatee • Palm Valley • Vilano Beach • World Golf Village • SilverLeaf • St. Johns • Julington Creek • Fruit Cove
Jacksonville & the Beaches
Jacksonville • Jacksonville Beach • Neptune Beach • Atlantic Beach • Mandarin • San Marco • Southside • Baymeadows
Flagler County
Palm Coast • Flagler Beach • Bunnell • Marineland and surrounding residential, commercial and investment-property markets.
Other Northeast Florida Communities
Green Cove Springs • Fleming Island • Orange Park • Fernandina Beach • Nassau County • Palatka • Putnam County and other Florida communities as appropriate for the matter.
Recent Real Estate Legal Insights
Florida Real Estate Updates, Guides & Articles
Recent SJLG resources addressing Florida real estate transactions, contracts, deeds, development, title and property disputes.
Real EstateContract Review
Florida Real Estate Contract Review
Purchase agreements, inspection periods, financing, title and transaction risk.
Read Resource →Florida DeedsQuitclaim Deeds
Florida Quitclaim Deeds
Property transfers, ownership changes, title issues and recording.
Read Resource →Florida DeedsLady Bird Deeds
Enhanced Life Estate / Lady Bird Deeds
Florida property-transfer and probate-avoidance planning considerations.
Read Resource →Closings & TitleFlorida Closings
Florida Real Estate Closings & Title
Attorney-supported closings, title services, escrow and title insurance.
Read Resource →Land Use & DevelopmentZoning & Entitlements
Florida Land Development & Zoning
Rezoning, PUDs, entitlements, development agreements and governmental approvals.
Read Resource →Property DisputesReal Estate Litigation
Florida Real Estate Litigation
Contracts, deposits, title, easements, ownership and property disputes.
Read Resource →
Real Estate Consultation
Talk With a St. Augustine Real Estate Attorney
If your matter involves a closing, contract, commercial transaction, deed, development issue, title problem, property dispute or real estate lawsuit, tell us about your situation.
Phone(904) 495-0400
Emailinfo@sjlawgroup.com
St. Augustine Office104 Sea Grove Main Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Dedicated & Responsive®
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