Can owner take the house?

We got into a handshake agreement with a home owner that if we fix up his mother’s nearly condemned house that we would eventually purchase the house at $200,000. We have been living here for almost 5 years and pay the owner all the utilities and property taxes every year. We got the pool remodeled, both bathrooms, and kitchen done. We replaced all door and windows, and cleared kut a substantial amount of trees and foilage. Yes, I realize this is almost ridiculous to not have anything in writing. The owner died and the property went to his son. His son has seen what we have gone through with before and after pictures and still agrees to let us buy the house. Still, nothing in writing. Can he sell the house from underneath us? We told him we are applying for a mortgage at the end of December but he has had offers of over $400,000 when we originally got an appraisal of $180,000. The owners have not personally put a dime into the household and it was nearly condemned. Just wondering if we have a leg to stand on, this is in Florida. The situation has had me living in anxiety for a while but the men are the ones dealing with the agreements and I am kind of just stuck at their mercy unfortunately. Anytime I ask for something in writing or a notary, just something, it never gets accomplished.

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Why would you put money and sweat equity into something that’s yours without a legally binding contract?

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Because people are cheap and don’t won’t to spend a few dollars on a lawyer.

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A plain English agreement by both parties would have been something,no lawyer needed

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Probably before but not now. Owner has an extra 200k dangling. First, I’d want an air tight agreement now. But more importantly if the owner refuses to sign, you’ll know it’s going on the market and start looking for a new place to live.

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You need to ask a lawyer. But I don’t see how you could have any tight to the house except as tenants and what that agreement covers

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You’ve been paying the taxes and utilities just think of that as rent.

No agreement in place, of course the new owner can sell it. Why in earn would you invest any money into a house that you have no rights to?

My advice is gather the bills that you paid yourself and see a lawyer, at the very least you might get some of your money returned. Or if you add it all together including the tax and utilities and factor in the cost of rent you didn’t pay, the two might wash

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Utilities don’t matter, as they would have paid those in addition to rent (utilities are not typically included as part of rent).

As far as giving him money for taxes, that can (and will) be seen as rent.

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I believe but I am not 100% that in real estate specifically agreements must be in writing for courts to enforce them. So you don’t have an agreement.

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Spending money on a house you don’t own, or at least have a written contract with option to buy was pretty fucking stupid. You don’t really have a house problem here…you have a man/husband problem.

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Never believe an handshake deal, get it in writing ask for it in writing and notarized from the bank. Don’t be paying nothing. Until you get in writing and a real estate attorney

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