New! Real Estate Buyer & Seller Guide

Real Estate Buyer Seller Resource Guide

Buyer and Seller Guide to Title & Escrow

Click for eBooklet

We are pleased to announce the availability of Ticor Title’s comprehensive Buyer/Seller guide in PDF, eBook, and Print Formats. This guide is designed to provide meaningful information and answer commonly asked questions that home buyers and sellers have throughout a real estate transaction.

Our goal with the Buyer/Seller Guide is to improve the overall experience of buyers and sellers by providing education and insights that demystify Title Insurance, Escrow, the CFPB, Taxes and more. This guide is a useful tool in setting proper expectations for the complex process of buying and selling a home.

How to Get the Buyer & Seller Guide

For your convenience, there are three ways to access the guide:

Buyer & Seller Guide Available Formats
Formats & How to Access
Downloadable PDF Download the Buyer & Seller Guide in PDF format for viewing, sharing, and local print. Download here: Buyer and Seller Guide to Title & Escrow
eBooklet eBooklet format presents well on tablets, smart-phones, and desktops and provides a means of linking to and sharing individual pages or sections of the document. Click here to view the Buyer & Seller Guide in eBook format.
Print The Buyer & Seller Guide is available in a high-quality print format upon request. Please contact your Ticor Title Sales Executive to reserve yours today.

The guide provides insights and information on the following:

Click any item below to view.

TITLE

The Title Insurance Value Proposition: 10 Reasons
What is Title? – FAQ
Why You Need Title Insurance – 21 Reasons
Life of a Title Search
Title Policy Comparison Chart
Homeowner’s Policy of Title Insurance
Homeowner’s Policy Additional Benefits
What is the Title Commitment?
5 Common Ways To Hold Title
ID Affidavit – Why is it Needed?
Vesting: Common Ways of Holding Title

ESCROW & TAXES

Escrow: FAQ
The Escrow Process
The Life of an Escrow
Opening Escrow
Red Flags in the Escrow / Title Process
Other Parties to an Escrow Transaction
The Loan Process
PMI Private Mortgage Insurance – FAQ

Taxes
PATH Act
Loan FAQ
What is Payoff
Property Tax – Annual Calendar
Closing Costs: What Buyers & Sellers Typically Pay For

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
What is Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? (CFPB)
Will The New CFPB Rule Delay My Closing?
Purchase Title / Escrow Order Workflow
The New Closing Disclosure Explained

TERMS

Glossary of Terms

Sales Tax on E-Recording Fees Effective August 1st

For Immediate Release:

Effective August 1, 2016 we will begin charging the appropriate sales tax on e-recording/Simplifile fees. The sales tax on the e-recording/Simplifile fee will be determined as follows:

File Type Which Tax Rate is Used
Title & Escrow Tax rate determined by escrow location/settlement agent contact location
Escrow Only Tax rate determined by escrow location/settlement agent contact location
Title Only Tax rate is determined by Title Company Contact’s Tax rate

 

If you have questions, please contact your Ticor Title Sales Executive or Escrow Officer.

Minors in Title to Real Estate

Minors in Title to Real Estate

 

Minors in Title to Real Estate

There are times when a minor is in title. Maybe the deed from Mom & Dad says “Susan B. Jones, a minor.” Or, when she shows up to sign papers, the Realtor® notices the nanny who brought her in. Of course, a child can inherit property. The parents never intended for the child to own it so soon, but it happens.

Are there problems with minors in title?

Custodian

Washington has adopted the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. This is the most practical way for minors to “own” property. There is no document or agreement. The statute deals with the responsibility of the custodian to the child. Otherwise, you can have a…

Trust

A trust can be set up for a minor, either separately or by language in a will. The trustee can also transfer property to a custodian (who can even be the trustee) if the trust permits it. But if there is no trust or custodianship, you need a…

Guardian

A guardianship is often what happens when both parents are deceased without making provisions for how a minor child can deal with property. It’s not absolutely necessary unless real property must be sold or mortgaged, but a court must approve any real estate transaction.

Most of us know there may be a problem, but what is it, exactly? Can little Suzie even be in title? Can she convey or mortgage the property? How?

Well, yes a minor can be in title, and it happens all the time. That’s not the problem – if she doesn’t want (or need) to sell or mortgage the property now, she will eventually be old enough to do something with it.

But until Suzie reaches the legal age of majority, she is under a type of “disability” because she lacks the capacity to enter in to binding contracts. If she signs title away when she is 17, she can disavow it when she reaches the age of majority and for some time thereafter.

What if a minor needs to sell or mortgage the property?

The only way for Suzie to sell or take out a mortgage is for someone to go to court, open a guardianship, appoint a guardian, get a court order authorizing the transaction, and have the guardian execute the deed or mortgage. Also, if a guardian has been appointed in another state, an ancillary court proceeding will be needed because the foreign court does not have jurisdiction in Washington.

All this can be expensive and time consuming and pretty onerous if the transaction has to happen now. But, there is no alternative – the horse is already out of the barn, so to speak. The conveyance to Suzie (or her inheritance) can’t be undone.

Other ways for a minor to own real estate

Download

Download a printable version of this article. CLick the following link: Minors in title to real estateMinors to Title in Real Estate

There are other more practical ways to deal with children owning real estate.  One is a trust, where title is conveyed to the trustee of the trust, or the trust is set up in a probate. In that case, the title company will need to see the trust document or the will.

A custodianship pursuant to RCW 11.114 is a simple alternative. In that case, title is conveyed to an adult of legal age: “John Paul Jones, as custodian for Susan B. Jones, under the Washington Uniform Transfers to Minors Act.” The statute provides for only one custodian per child per deed, and a trust company can be named as well, if the trust permits it. It used to be called the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, and you might see this recital in a deed coming from another state. A deed can be accepted from a custodian in any state, which need only recite the adult custodian, the custodianship and the name of the minor.

When title is vested in a custodian, title insurers do not need to call for any proof of authority or documentation. This is an advantage of a custodianship over a guardianship for all concerned. Acknowledgments for a custodian would be for the adult individual, because there is no documentation to present to the notary, while a guardian would use the representative capacity (for a fiduciary) form.

Of course, during the custodianship the adult has a fiduciary responsibility to the minor, and can’t dispose of or use the assets for personal gain. The money from a sale of a house would still belong to the minor. But third parties, including title companies, don’t need to question where the money will end up.

What happens when the minor reaches legal age?

Once the minor reaches 18, 21 or in some cases 25 years of age (it all depends on the circumstances of the transfer), the custodian is to convey the property to the minor. But as an adult she can deal with the property in her own name. With a guardianship, the court action needs to be closed, and the property distributed to the minor.  A custodianship is a convenient way for a minor to hold title, but there can be estate planning and taxation ramifications when children own real estate. An attorney should always be consulted if a minor is or will be in title.

Questions or comments?  Please share below!

What is a Land Contract?

What is a Land Contract

What is a land contract

Seller Finances the Purchase

A land contract is an installment contract in which the seller finances the purchase. The seller maintains the deed until satisfaction. It is comparable to owner financing. The buyer gives the seller a down payment and the seller acts as a bank; financing the balance of the purchase or sale price.

The Interest Rate is Negotiated by the Parties

The interest rate is negotiated and set by the parties involved. Land contracts can be created on or used on most types of property such as residential, land only, mobile home with land, commercial, mixed use.

During the Course of a Land Contract

The buyer has possession of and equitable title to the property while the seller holds legal title. If desired, the buyer may assign and convey his/her (buyer’s) interest in this contract or any part thereof, provided, however, that such assignment or conveyance shall not impair the seller’s security in the Premises. Once the contract is in effect and for the duration thereof, the buyer will be responsible for all taxes and assessments.

The seller conveys legal title by way of a Statutory Warranty Fulfillment Deed to the buyer when the contract is paid in full and all terms are fulfilled free and clear of any liens or encumbrances other than taxes and assessments for the current year.

What to Expect at Escrow Closing – [Video]

What to expect at escrow closing


Now that you’re ready to buy or sell a home it’s time to close the deal. But what does that really mean? What happens at closing and how long does it take? Well the process varies depending on your location, but here’s a general overview of what you can expect at closing.

Escrow’s Role in a Real Estate Transaction

As your Escrow Closing Team, we will follow the terms of your Purchase and Sale Agreement, and use these instructions to complete the transfer of the property from Seller to Buyer.
We’ll ensure that any items on your title commitment have been cleared, prior to closing. We also maintain a detailed accounting of all the finances involved with the purchase of your property. Most importantly, we prepare the legal documents that transfer ownership, from Seller to Buyer.

Escrow carries out instructions per the terms of sale

It all starts when a buyer and seller agree on the terms of sale and ends four to eight weeks later at closing. In the middle, all kinds of stuff happens to make sure the terms of sale are met. It’s the kind of stuff you’re thankful someone else does while you’re getting ready to move.

Then at closing, the escrow officer confirms the terms of sale are met, makes sure the funds are distributed, the deed is recorded, and the keys are delivered. if you’re the buyer, this is when you finally get possession of your house.

Closing the sale of a home doesn’t have to be mysterious! find out more about how it works with the resources below.

What is a Title Commitment

What is a Title Insurance Commitment

What is a Title Insurance Commitment

Be Aware Early of Matters & Exceptions to Coverage

A Title Commitment provides a list of the matters which will be shown as exceptions to coverage in a designated policy or policies of title insurance, if issued concurrently, covering a particular state or interest in land. It is designated to provide a preliminary response to an application for title insurance and is intended to facilitate the issuance of the designated policy or policies.

Since these exceptions may point to potential problems with an intended purchase,
it is important for all parties to review the report once it is received.

Title Commitment

Corefact ProofDownload a PDF of this article here
The Ticor Title Title Commitment is an offer to issue a policy of title insurance covering a particular estate or interest in land subject to stated exceptions.

It is normally prepared after application (order) for such policy(ies) of title insurance on behalf of the principals to a real property transaction. The Title Commitment states on its face that it is made solely to facilitate the subsequent issuance of a title insurance policy and that the insurer assumes no liability for errors in the report. Accordingly, any claim arising from a defect in title must be made under the title policy and not the Title Commitment.

If a title policy is not contemplated, a Title Commitment should not be ordered. Instead, consideration should be given to requesting a Subdivision Guarantee Report or other similar title product.

After a title order has been placed, matters relative to the title policy coverage on the subject property are assembled in a title search package and examined by skilled technicians. This is when the Title Commitment is prepared and sent to the customer. The report contains relevant information so that the parties to the transaction will become aware of matters which will not be insured against by the title company.

This report is issued before the title policy, hence the name Title Commitment.

Ticor Title Lynnwood Welcomes Christy Jones

Christy Jones - LPO Escrow Closer

Christy-Jones-LPO Escrow Closer

We are pleased to announce that Christy Jones has joined the Ticor Title team in Lynnwood!

A Seasoned Professional

As a seasoned veteran in Title and Escrow since 2001, Christy has experienced the ups and downs of the market and gained valuable knowledge along the way. She knows her client’s time is valuable, so she ensures that her team’s communication is quick and effective throughout the entire transaction. Christy has closed a broad array of transactions including: Refinance, Residential Resale, Multi-Family, Short Sales, Estates, REO, HUD Sales, Builder, Mobile Homes, and more. She strives to provide a positive and memorable closing with our customers and build long-standing relationship with brokers and lenders.

Christy Jones

LPO/Escrow Closer
425-434-4013
christy.jones@ticortitle.com
19020 33rd Ave W Suite 550
Lynnwood, WA 98036

Map & Directions

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A Lynnwood Native

Christy was born and raised in the Lynnwood/Meadowdale area, and attended Mountlake Terrace High School. Enjoying our beloved Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, and attending her son’s sports activities, is something she looks forward to every day. She also loves camping, walking around the Edmonds beaches and parks, partaking in the local fairs and festivals, bowling, and watching movies. Vacationing at Disneyland and other theme parks in California brings great joy to her life.

Integrity & Pride

As with her family, Christy has true dedication and compassion toward her customers. Integrity and pride in the service she provides is of utmost importance and she believes that a happy customer is a loyal customer!

Partner with Christy and experience the difference in how her communication and extensive knowledge makes for a smooth and enjoyable transaction.

How to Eliminate Signing/Consummation Date Guesswork

TRID Calendar

TRID Calendar - Determine Consummation Date
By now, we’re all familiar with the Closing Disclosure delivery period and review period guidelines set forth by the CFPB. The delivery and waiting period guidelines have made it more challenging to plan and schedule signings because the delivery method, non-working days, and federal holidays all have to be factored in when determining the earliest possible consummation date or required delivery date for a specific consummation date. And of course, there’s the 3-day rescission period that applies to refinance transactions.

To eliminate the guesswork and speed up the calculation process for our clients and partners, we are happy to announce the availability of the Ticor Title TRID Calendar. The TRID Calendar is an interactive tool that illustrates all the important dates in three simple steps.

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NOTE:

If a federal holiday falls within the Delivery and/or Waiting Periods, add an additional business day.

The three-day period is measured by days, not hours. Thus, disclosure must be delivered three days before closing, and not 72 hours prior to closing.

Disclosures may also be delivered electronically to the Delivery Period and may be signed in compliance with E-Sign requirements.

Where to Find the TRID Calendar

Access the TRID Calendar at http://ticortitle.com/cfpb/calendar.htm on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

How the TRID Calendar Works

Determining the delivery period, review period, consummation date, and rescission period can be achieved in three simple steps:

  1. Specify loan purpose (purchase or refinance)
  2. Specify delivery method (personal delivery, mail delivery, electronic delivery)
  3. Click a date on the calendar to specify signing/consummation date

The TRID Calendar will instantly illustrate the delivery period, review period, signing/consummation date, and rescission period (for refinances) to the calendar.

Save a PDF for Your Records

TRID Calendar PDFAs a convenience, the TRID Calendar provides the option to create and save the calendar as a PDF. To create a PDF of your illustrated calendar, click the “CREATE PDF FILE” button at the bottom of the TRID Calendar page . The PDF file displays the delivery period, review period, consummation date, rescission period, as well as holidays that occur during any of the periods. Also included in the PDF is an explanation of Consummation.

What is Consummation?

Consummation is the day the borrower becomes legally obligated under the loan, which would be the date of signing, even if the loan has a rescission period.It is important to note the definition of consummation can be different than the closing date as defined in the purchase agreement where the buyer becomes contractually obligated to a seller on a real estate transaction.

What to Look For in a Title Insurance Company [video]

What to look for in a title insurance company


Ok so you know title insurance is important for verifying the title of your property, right? So trusting in the right company is also important. But how to you pick the best provider?

Experience, Reputation, and Reliability

Well, as you work with your real estate agent or lender, here are three things to consider when looking for a title insurance company: experience, reputation, and reliability.

Every state is different so the company you choose should have solid partnerships with local businesses, representatives with significant experience in your community, and expert knowledge of your local laws.

You also want a title company with a good reputation for solving complex problems, mediating difficult circumstances, and dealing with any situation that comes up. Because you never know what might come up! And finally you want a representative who’s backed by decades of reliability with the financial stability to be around for many years to come.

So as you work with your real estate agent or lender ask about the title company and choose one that’s experienced, reputable, and reliable!

About Title Insurance

Title policies insure owners and lenders against possible losses from claims against real property ownership. The preliminary report or commitment provides advance information on matters which will be excepted from coverage. Lenders and owners are thereby given an opportunity to correct title flaws before purchasing or lending.
Title insurance originated in the 1870’s to stem a series of land ownership problems that developed from inaccurate record searches, forgeries, and related problems. Today, it offers protection from certain items that cannot be determined from public records, such as forgeries of all types, undisclosed heirs, hidden marriages and divorces, clerical errors, and invalid legal procedures and interpretations.

Policies are written on the basis of a search of public records and other records which impart constructive notice. Remember, a deed does not prove that the seller is the owner of the property. Only title insurance can protect your interest in the property from unknown encumbrances, legal conflicts and unforeseen claims.

A policy of title insurance is like a pre-paid legal agreement. Your insurer will provide legal defense against challenges to your insured title (dependent, of course, upon the type of policy coverage ) and will reimburse you financially for losses due to the covered defects in your ownership rights.

It is important to remember that a lender’s title policy does not insure a borrower against title risks. While certain types of policies pertain to both the owner and the lender, it makes good sense to help protect your borrowers by explaining the limitations of their particular coverage.

If you have any questions regarding which policy would best suit the needs of any particular situation, contact your Ticor Title representative.

Ticor Title Spokane Welcomes Brian Kobs

Ticor Title Spokane Welcomes Brian Kobs

Ticor Title Spokane Welcomes Brian Kobs

Welcome Brian Kobs

We are pleased to announce the expansion of our Spokane Operation with the addition of Brian Kobs – Sales Executive.

With over 10 years in sales, Brian is known best for his hard work and commitment. Clients compliment Brian for mending the communication breakdowns that inevitably happen in our business. “Sometimes this is verbal communication, sometimes it is an inability to communicate feelings and emotions. Either way, though questions and empathy most of these obstacles can be overcome somewhat painlessly.”

Contact

Phone: 509-344-9992
Fax: 855-885-2346
Brian.Kobs@TicorTitle.com

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What is Brian passionate about professionally? “I am most passionate professionally about contributing to achieve common goals with my team /work family. Celebrating personal success is typically a lonely activity. There is little that is as emotionally fulfilling as the feeling you get when you celebrate a victory as a team.”

What about personally? “I’ve shared the last 23 years of my life with the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Whatever I do is always better when my wife is involved. Any lengthy conversation with me will inevitably include some reference to Sara-Jayne.” Camping, boating, or fishing are fun ways that Brian likes to spend his weekends.

Please help us welcome Brian Kobs to the Ticor Title Spokane Sales Team.

Remember to specify Ticor Title on your next transaction and be sure to order your Property Profile at cs.spokane@ticortitle.com!

Escrow Locations

Spokane
1330 N Washington St, Suite 3525
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: 509-327-2381
Fax: 866-878-4105

Spokane Valley
720 N Argonne Rd , Suite E
Spokane, WA 99212
Phone: 509-928-9665
Fax: 509-928-7018