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ContactWhile most closings go smoothly, a title search can uncover past issues that need clearing before ownership transfers: Unpaid Taxes & Liens: Outstanding property taxes, municipal fines, or contractor bills attached to the home. Unreleased Mortgages: Old loans paid off years ago that lack an official public release document. Probate & Heir Errors: Missing signatures […]
To keep your closing appointment running smoothly and on schedule, bring: Valid Photo ID: A current government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport), plus a secondary card. Certified Funds: An official cashier’s check or pre-arranged secure wire transfer for closing costs. Proof of Insurance: Your active homeowners insurance binder or paid receipt. Your Spouse: In many […]
Yes, absolutely. Even on a brand-new home, the land sits on a legal history involving past owners, back taxes, or boundary disputes. More importantly, new builds carry higher risks for mechanics’ liens. If a builder fails to pay a contractor, electrician, or supplier, unpaid vendors can place a lien on your home – even after […]
Don’t worry – discovering issues before closing is the main purpose of a title search. A lien or judgment means a third party holds a legal claim for an unpaid debt needing clearance before ownership transfers. We manage this behind the scenes: verifying the debt, ensuring the seller pays it from sale proceeds at closing, […]
While both protect your investment, the 2 insurances cover different risks. Homeowners insurance covers future physical damage like fires, storms, or theft, requiring a recurring monthly or annual premium. Title insurance protects your legal ownership against past hidden issues – such as unpaid taxes, forged deeds, or old unrecorded liens. It requires only a single, […]
A title and escrow company ensures property ownership transfers safely and smoothly. We run a detailed public records search confirming the seller owns the home free of unpaid taxes, contractor liens, or legal errors. We then issue title insurance protecting you and your lender from unexpected ownership claims. As a neutral third party, we hold […]
Title insurance is a specialized policy that protects your rights to property ownership. It shields you from financial loss if someone later challenges your legal claim to the home due to hidden issues from past owners. Unlike standard insurance that covers future events, this policy protects against past events that could affect your deed.
Even after a thorough title search, hidden errors can remain buried in public records. Problems like missed heirs, forged documents, or unpaid property taxes from previous owners can threaten your ownership. This insurance ensures you are financially protected if a legal dispute arises over your property.
Federal law requires real estate closing companies to report certain property transactions to the Internal Revenue Service. Signing the Form 1099-S helps the government track property sales for tax reporting purposes. This is a standard administrative step for most home sales and purchases.
Real estate transactions often involve property taxes, transfer taxes, or recording fees. During the closing process, your escrow officer calculates the exact taxes owed up to the sale date and collects them from the appropriate party. Any future property taxes will be billed directly to you by the local government after purchase.
A Closing Protection Letter (CPL) is an agreement where the title insurer protects a party from financial loss caused by closing agent fraud or dishonesty. Sellers often sign a waiver declining this specific protection because standard closing procedures and escrow controls already manage their funds securely. Your closer can provide more details based on your […]
A Lender’s Policy protects the financial institution up to the amount of the mortgage loan. An Owner’s Policy protects your personal equity and ownership rights in the property. Lenders require their own policy to secure their investment, but that policy does not protect the buyer against ownership claims.
Yes, title insurance requires only a single premium payment at the time of closing. There are no monthly or annual renewal fees to keep the coverage active. The policy remains in effect for as long as you or your heirs own the property.
Your final title insurance policy is typically mailed or delivered a few weeks after closing is complete. This short delay occurs because the county office must officially record your new deed and mortgage documents first. Once those public records are updated, the underwriting team finalizes and issues your official policy documents.