How You Close on a Mortgage Is Your Call
By Sandy Gadow Special to The Washington Post As the record-setting volume of home purchases and mortgage refinancing…
What Are Fannie Mae Guidelines and Will I Qualify?
Your lender or mortgage broker may refer to “Fannie Mae Guidelines” when asking you for documentation supporting your…
Do I Need a New Title Policy When I Refinance My Mortgage?
You will not be required to obtain a new Owner’s Title policy when you refinance your mortgage, but…
What are the three types of easements?
Many properties have easements, often laid out when the subdivision was created. These easements may be for public…
Finding Hidden Costs on Your Closing Statement
Throughout the closing process, you will have been given various documents, some being mandatory government disclosure documents. These…
How can the Right of Rescission Protect Me?
The Right of Rescission is a protection given to borrowers under the Truth in Lending Act. This right…
What is the Tax Exclusion Rule for the Sale of a Residence?
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 has replaced the old Rollover Residence Replacement Rule, IRS Code Section 1034,…
What is the First of the Three Most Important Documents My Escrow Officer Will Need?
Your escrow officer or closing agent will refer to three main documents to act as the roadmap to…
For Tax Purposes, What Is The Best Time To Buy My House?
Knowing when to close your real estate purchase can work to your advantage at tax time. You may…
Will The Builder Pay for the Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance?
In many states it is customary for the Seller to provide the Buyer with an owner’s policy of…
Tax Prorations At Closing Time
Among the various items which will be prorated, or shared between the buyer and seller at the closing…
Should I Compare Escrow Fees On-Line?
When you begin shopping for the best home price, mortgage rate, insurance premium, and lender closing costs, so…
When Would I Use “Direct Deeding?”
When you are exchanging property under a 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange, you may choose to “direct deed” your…
That Condominium Will be the Perfect Rental Property
Condominiums may appear to be the ideal way to purchase rental property, as their price is often lower…
Will My Escrow Officer Review My Loan Documents With Me?
When you sit down for your closing, whether it is at a title company, an escrow office, an…
Will My Utility Bills Be Pro-Rated In Escrow?
At close of escrow, certain expenses will be pro-rated, giving the Buyer and Seller any credits they may…
What Is An Attorney’s Opinion Of Title?
In some states around the country, attorneys examine the recorded documents relating to title and issue what is…
What Is The Difference Between a Title Theory and a Lien Theory State?
Often a buyer wonders if he is buying property in a state which is considered a “title theory…