Today’s homeowner stays in their home an average of 11-15 years. So it’s understandable that the typical home buyer may be unfamiliar with how escrow operates, what protection title insurance provides, and how to be ready for the escrow process when the time comes to make a real estate purchase. We’ve assembled a series of brief videos that provide an overview of escrow & title insurance as well as insights into what to look for in a title insurance company and how to be prepared for escrow closing.
Escrow & Title Insurance Videos
What is Escrow?
What is Title Insurance?
What to Look for in a Title Insurance Company?
What to Expect at Closing?
Follow the link below to watch these informational videos and to learn more.
Your Ticor Sales Team has over 236 Years of Combined Industry Experience. Ticor Title has been steadily growing in the Puget Sound region with added locations, recruitment of additional local industry experts, refined processes, and ever-improving service levels. Our vast expertise can offer solutions to help grow your business in ways that are leading the marketplace. Stay up to date on the latest in Real Estate trends by partnering with your Ticor Sales Executive.
Contact your Ticor Title Sales Executive today about our latest tools and resources to help you in your business!
The time after you close on your property can be very exciting and sometimes feel like a whirlwind. We at Ticor Title are here for you throughout this process and want to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Outlined below are a few helpful tasks and processes you can expect after your property has closed.
Post Office change of address
Transfer the Utilities
Check with your local DMV to see if you need to update your Drivers License
Change your locks for better security
Keep an eye out for your Deed in the mail from the County Recorder’s Office
Follow the link below to download the complete quick guide.
Title Insurance is a great value providing peace of mind. You only pay your Title policy premium once, but your policy is good for as long as you own your home even transferring to your heirs. Ticor Title is part of the Fidelity National Financial family of companies and an industry leader in claims paying ability. We will be here when you need us whether it is this year or 100 years from now.
A few questions to consider when choosing a Title Company.
Q.) How long have they been around?
A.) Ticor Title was Title Insurance and Trust Company, often called “TI” , opened for business on January 15, 1894. Ticor Title is a member of the Fidelity National Financial, Inc. family of companies. FNF is a leading provider of title insurance, mortgage services, and diversified services. In financial strength and claims-paying ability, Ticor Title and FNF consistently receive high marks. FNF is ranked #402 in the 2019 Fortune 500 list.
Q.) Should I be concerned about the claims paying ability of my title insurance provider?
A.) A Title insurance provider’s claims paying ability is determined by the amount of reserves held to pay claims. Due to the state of the real estate market over the last 4 years, a title insurer’s claims paying ability has become more critical as the number of claims filed have sharply increased. Ticor Title and FNF have claim reserves exceeding $1.5 Billion.
Some of the feedback we have received regarding the digital closing methods used by less established Title Companies can be challenging at times especially when urgent communication is required for a particular transaction. At Ticor Title we are ultra-communicative and readily available to answer any questions or concerns. Our employees are committed to providing our customers with a level of satisfaction that is unparalleled in the title insurance industry. Based on our experience and expertise, we are confident that you’ll see the difference.
To find out more about our Strength and History follow the link below.
Buyers and sellers desire a secure and simple way to start their real estate transactions. When you choose to work with Ticor Title and startSafe™, buyers and sellers can safely begin their real estate transaction, share preferred contact methods, and review WireSafe wiring instructions without relying on potentially unsecure email inboxes.
Learn what to expect with the new, more secure digital opening experience. Watch the informational video by clicking on the link below.
Because most consumers purchase title insurance only a handful of times in a lifetime, questions do arise when the time comes to purchase a property. What is Title Insurance and why do you need it? Title Insurance is the Most Effective, Most Accepted and Least Expensive way to Protect Property Ownership Rights.
Questions to consider
What is Title Insurance?
Why Should I Purchase Owners Title Insurance?
How Long Am I Covered?
What Does Owner’s Title Insurance Cost?
Follow the link below to read the answers to all these questions and more valuable information.
When it comes time to sell your home, you may have thought about listing it as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO). But there are many important factors to consider before taking on this responsibility.
Preparing the home, setting the price, marketing & advertising, qualifying buyers, negotiating, setting appointments and navigating the closing process are all part of a successful real estate transaction.
Are you equipped to set the correct price for the home?
Are you prepared with an optimal advertising strategy and budget?
Do you have the ability to negotiate the sale?
Are you prepared to qualify potential buyers?
Are you familiar with the closing process?
Click the link below to read the answers to all these questions and more valuable information.
In this deep dive interview our management team discusses Fraud Protection, Title Insurance and more on the Home Matters radio show that aired on ONMY.FM.
Some of the topics covered
What is Title Insurance?
How does it protect you and your property?
What are the steps needed to protect yourself from Wire Fraud?
About Home Matters
Home Matters is a home improvement and lifestyle show that covers everything having to do with your home: treating your deck, winterizing your home, keeping your electric bill down, and how to pair your food and wine.
On April 28th, 2019, The Washington State Legislature passed a 2-year budget that will have a significant impact on most sellers of commercial and residential real estate.
As of January 1st 2023, there was an additional update below.
What is REET?
Real estate excise tax (REET) is a tax on the sale of real estate. The real estate excise tax is typically paid by the seller of the property, although the buyer is liable for the tax if it is not paid. The tax applies to the seller. The tax also applies to transfers of controlling interests (50% or more) in entities that own property in the state.
How are the funds used?
1.3% of the state tax collected by counties is retained to cover administration costs. Of the net proceeds to the state, 2% goes into the public works assistance account, 4.1% to the education legacy account with remaining amounts going the general fund.
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, ESSB 5998 made changes to the real estate excise tax program. Some of these changes include:
a graduated state REET rate structure for sales of real property
exception: agricultural land/timberland is excluded from the new rate structure and will continue to have a state REET rate of 1.28%
updates for controlling interest transfers (greater than 50% change of ownership in an entity that owns real property)
expands the transfer period from 12 months to 36 months
changes the reporting requirements during the annual corporate renewal cycle to disclose any transfers 16% or more
Please note* Additional County and/or City Taxes Will Apply
Ticor Title is a member of the Fidelity National Financial family of companies and the nation’s largest group of title companies and title insurance underwriters – Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Alamo Title and National Title of New York – that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.
When working with Ticor Title you can rest assured that our commitment to you is established on a rock solid financial foundation.
Collectively, the FNF title brands remain the largest and the most profitable in the industry. As always, we remain committed to managing our business with discipline, providing the best possible customer service, and remaining the financially strongest title insurance provider for our policyholders, clients, and partners.
Our standings with third-party rating agencies are a testament to our longevity, financial strength, and claims paying ability. For 12 of the last 13 years, we have held a position on the FORTUNE 500® list.
