Partner Gary Kaleita concentrates on real estate development, finance and transactions, condominiums, property owners' associations, commercial leasing, commercial lending, and title insurance. He has handled purchases, sales and financings of numerous commercial and residential projects in Florida, including office, industrial, retail, multi-family, single-family, condominium, resort, hotel and golf course properties. He has prepared and negotiated contracts for sale and purchase, performed due diligence investigations, and handled all aspects of closings, including issuance of title insurance and legal opinions. He has performed tax free exchanges (both forward and reverse) under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, and has handled closings for housing revenue bond financing transactions with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and various local housing finance authorities.
As lender's counsel, Gary has represented numerous Florida and out-of-state lenders making commercial loans secured by Florida real estate, drafted and negotiated loan documents, coordinated and conducted lenders' due diligence activities, including title and survey review, prepared and negotiated legal opinions, and conducted loan closings. He has also worked on the purchase and sale of properties in foreclosure, loan workouts, and the sale of lender-owned real estate assets following foreclosure.
In the area of real estate development, Gary has assisted developers in obtaining land use approvals, plat approvals and permits for various developments from a number of jurisdictions in Central Florida, including planned developments (PD's) and Developments of Regional Impact (DRI's). He has drafted and negotiated complex land use documents, including development agreements, cost-sharing agreements, declarations of covenants, conditions, restrictions and easements. He also has experience in mall and shopping center developments, including outparcels, and has assisted developers with the selection, formation and operation of business entities, including commercial and residential property owners associations. He has extensive experience with the formation and operation of both commercial and residential condominiums as well.
Recognition
· Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV
· Military Service: Patrol Gunboat Squadron 21, Naples, Italy, 1976-1977, U.S. Naval Communication Station, Nea Makri, Greece, 1977-1980, U.S. Naval Reserve, 1980-1983
· Selected for inclusion in 2006-2011 Florida Super Lawyers
· Listed in Legal 500 US
Professional Certifications, Memberships and Activities
· Board Certified: Real Estate Law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education since 1993
· Seminole County Bar Association
· The Florida Bar
· American Bar Association
· Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando
· U.S. Navy Patrol Gunboat Association
· U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation
Community Activities
· All-Ivy Alumni Club of Central Florida, Business Advisory Board
· St. Andrew's Chapel
· Wingfield North HOA, Inc., Director/Vice President
Articles
Bankruptcy Could Help Owners Skirt Doc Stamp Taxes
Circumventing the Perils of Ownership: A Lender's Guide to the Receiver's Power of Sale in Florida
First Mortgagee Successor Liability for Unpaid Assessments
Is the Doctrine of Caveat Emptor Dying in Florida?
Purchasing Or Foreclosing On A Failed Project? You May Be A "Successor Developer"
Real Property Tax Exemption for Conservation Easements
REO and Collateral Entitlements Preservation - Permit and DRI Extensions for the Asking!
Selling/Acquiring Distressed Real Estate In Florida: a White Paper on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Six Alternatives, Including Contract and Due Diligence Considerations
The Florida Distressed Condo Relief Act: Halftime Report
Update! Rumors of the Premature Death of the Distressed Condominium Relief Act Greatly Exaggerated
Presentations
Florida Distressed Real Estate: Practical Tips for Investors