How Closing Timeframes will be Impacted by the CFPB
When the CFPB rules take effect in August 2015, the closing timeframes on purchases and refinances will be impacted. As part of the final rule creating the new Closing Disclosure and Loan Estimate forms, the CFPB determined that borrowers would be better served by having a short time to review the new Closing Disclosure prior to signing their loan documents. As a result, in its rule the CFPB mandated borrowers have three days after receipt of the Closing Disclosure to review the form and its contents.
Click below for the complete article and a brief illustrated guide.
Deed Types – What Are The Differences?
What is a deed? A deed is a legal instrument used to grant a right. The deed is best known as the method of transferring title to real estate from one person to another, often using a description of its “metes and bounds, by lot, block and subdivision, or by parcel/lot and short plat.” However, by the general definition, power of attorneys, commissions, patents and even diplomas conferring academic degrees are also deeds. What makes a deed valid?
All Cash Transaction Down to the Wire…
Ensuring we have unconditionally collected funds prior to disbursing on a real estate transaction is one of the most basic duties of the settlement agent. Wired funds are the best way to accomplish this. Funds sent via wire transfer are already collected by the bank; once the funds are credited to the trust account, they […]
10 Tips for a Successful Signing Appointment
Your escrow closing date is coming up and there is one more important appointment before closing, whether you are a Buyer or a Seller. That is your Signing Appointment! Our Escrow professionals have provided some tips that will help you to prepare for it. Here are the top 10 things you can know and do […]
The Home Closing Process and Benefits of an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy
The segment does an outstanding job of illustrating how the work done by title insurance professionals provides consumers peace of mind when purchasing a home. Questions or comments? Please share below! Buying a house is an event that happens only a few times in a lifetime for most people. It’s an exciting time […]
The Probate Path – Married, Separate Property…
Our last Probate Paths blog discussed the effect of death on community property. Today, we talk about another complicated situation involving marriage, another marriage, and death. Sudden death, no will, and an outdated will… Hank and Dagny were happily married and living in the family home they bought together. Both had been married before and […]
The Property Tax Annual Cycle
There are few things in life that are as certain as taxes, especially when it comes to buying, selling, and owning real estate. In this article, we’re going to take a look at property taxes, including when they are due, when they may be paid, how they’re calculated, and what tax relief programs are available. […]
A Case of Brotherly Identity Theft…
The case… This is a real estate fraud/identity theft case brought by plaintiffs Darryl Dumas (“Darryl”) and Darryl Dumas as Trustee of the Dumas Revocable Living Trust Agreement Dated February 7, 2001 against Darryl’s brother Derrick Dumas (“Derrick”), among others, concerning real property located at 1875 Paradise Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90025 (“Subject Property”). On […]
5 Title Insurance Questions to Consider when Purchasing a Home
For most people, purchasing or refinancing a home happens only a few times in a lifetime. And thus the topic of title insurance is only top of mind for a fleeting moment once every few years. So if you’re in the process of selling or buying real estate, here are a few refresher questions you […]
Betrayed with an Uninsured Deed…
An escrow officer in one of our sister operations opened a purchase transaction for $347,000. She ordered the title report and the order was assigned to Casandra, a commercial title officer. Casandra issued the report reflecting two owners of record: Maysa Alhelow, a single woman and Thomas Paul Helo, a married man as his sole […]