Waldorff Insurance and Bonding, Inc. v. Eglin National Bank

Choctaw Partnership (Choctaw) developed a condominium complex. In 1972, Choctaw secured a mortgage of $850,000 for this property. This mortgage was assigned to Eglin National Bank (defendant) (Eglin) in 1975. Meanwhile, in April 1973, Waldorff Insurance and Bonding, Inc. (plaintiff) (Waldorff) entered into a sales contract with Choctaw regarding Unit 111 of the building. Waldorff put a down payment on the unit, paid to furnish it, paid all fees associated with it, and had exclusive access to the unit. In October 1973, Choctaw obtained another mortgage with Eglin on the condominium, including Unit 111. In June 1974, Choctaw obtained still another mortgage on the property, including Unit 111, from Eglin. In 1974, Choctaw, who was also a client of Waldorff, negotiated a deal whereby Waldorff would “write off” the balance due on Choctaw’s account in exchange for Choctaw considering the mortgage debt for Unit 111 paid in full. The deed transferring Unit 111 to Waldorff was recorded in March 1975. In 1976, Eglin foreclosed on Choctaw. The trial court determined that Waldoff’s claim to ownership of Unit 111 was “equivocal” because Choctaw allowed other persons to occupy and use other units, thereby making Waldorff’s claim to ownership appear questionable, and because Waldorff had not supplied consideration to complete the sale transaction. Thus, it held that Waldorff’s interest in Unit 111 was not superior to the liens created by the 1973 and 1974 mortgages. Waldorff appealed.