Title insurance is an often overlooked but necessary expense when buying or selling a home. It protects the buyer and seller in the real estate transaction against unique title-related issues from previous owners. But do you need title insurance for new construction? In short, yes. New construction, of course, means that there are no previous

While being a homeowner can be wonderful, it’s no secret that homeownership comes with a not-so-fun part: mortgages. Unlike what many homeowners might believe, your mortgage payment isn’t always fixed. Variable expenses that are worked into your payment can either increase or decrease the monthly amount due. Understanding the factors that can contribute to your

Most first-time homebuyers aren’t familiar with the role of title agencies in the real estate process. However, title agencies are an integral part of ensuring that you can close on your home quickly and legally.  If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering how to choose a title agency and what to look for in

Whether you want to build your dream home, start a farm, or construct the next shopping mall in your town, buying land is an attractive option. However, buying land can be complex, and there isn’t much information available on the best practices when purchasing land. This article discusses the benefits of buying land, the drawbacks,

Escrow is a significant part of buying and selling real estate. Whether you’re a real estate investor, a first-time home buyer, or anyone else who wants to get involved in real estate, you should know the basics of escrow in real estate and how it works. This article discusses escrow in real estate and why

A short sale is often used by borrowers in difficult financial situations who need to sell their homes to avoid foreclosure. A real estate transaction becomes a short sale when the sellers accept less than what’s owed on the mortgage, and all proceeds from the sale go directly to the lender to pay off the

Refinancing can be a great way for homeowners to reduce their mortgage payments, erase monthly mortgage insurance, or reduce their loan terms. While refinancing has some significant advantages, it’s not always a good idea for some homeowners. Continue reading to find out how refinancing works, the pros and cons of refinancing, and how to decide

If you’ve never purchased a home before, you might not know that—in addition to the seller and buyer—other parties usually have to get involved to transfer ownership. Even among long-standing homeowners, many forget just how vital a title agency is to ensuring that a purchase can go through on time and without error. In this

When purchasing a property, you might be surprised to see additional fees you probably weren’t aware of. This point may be the first you hear of title insurance. But what is it? And do you really need it?

Congratulations! You’ve made it to closing day on your new home! There have been some ups and downs through the bidding process and appraisals and inspections, but now you’ve reached the part where you actually become the owner of your new home. Many people think of closing day as a simple matter of signing some