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Why Am I Learning About Escrow at the Closing Table?
At Title Junction we strongly encourage consistent and concise communication between all parties involved in each individual real estate transaction. It’s important to maintain communication not only to reach the preferred closing date but to make sure that you are aware of what you’re agreeing to, whether you’re buying or selling.
Although all involved parties do their best to provide you with the best information, you may still reach the closing table confused about impound accounts. An impound account, also referred to as an escrow account, is set up by your lender. This account pays extraneous property-related fees on your behalf. These fees may include things like your homeowner’s insurance or property taxes. These bills can be inconsistent with both timing and amount due. To help with this, homeowners can choose to pay fees in small payments with their monthly mortgage through an impound or escrow account. This way the bills are spread out while payments are made on time.
This information is extremely important because if your loan does not include an escrow account then it is up to you to plan to pay these fees on your own without the additional help and management that impound/escrow accounts offer.
Furthermore, if an escrow account isn’t featured in your loan then don’t be afraid to request one from your lender. Keep in mind that this account may make things easier financially for you and your family. The purpose of an impound or escrow account is to increase predictability. If the payments increase, then they will increase in installments rather than a huge unexpected bill that puts you behind.
Not sure if your lender has included it or how it works? ASK YOUR LENDER!
At Title Junction we want our buyers to sign their final documents with confidence in their financial status. When we reach the closing table and buyers are unaware of these fees that could have been tied to an impound account, we have to take a step back and enhance the communication that should have already been established between the lender and buyer.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Your Closing Disclosure: Making Sense of Closing Costs
Your Closing Disclosure: Making Sense of Closing Costs
On the second page of your Closing Disclosure, you’ll find details about the specific closing costs, divided into different sections.
Section A includes: Origination charges collected by the lender Origination fees paid to brokers, loan officers or other parties and Discount Points – prepaid interest. These figures should match your original Loan Estimate.
Section B covers services for which you could NOT shop. The total of these should be within 10% of the total from your Loan Estimate.
Section C covers services you could shop. If you chose providers from the lender’s written list, costs should be within 10% of Loan Estimate. The set of services you can shop may vary on different loans.
The Recording Fees in Section E should be within 10%; other costs in sections E, plus F, G and H, may vary from your Loan Estimate without tolerance limits.
This page will also break out the costs YOU will pay, before or at closing; the costs the seller will pay, any costs paid by others, and any credits from your Lender.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Buyers Beware: Scammers Are Targeting Your Inbox
Buyers Beware: Scammers Are Targeting Your Inbox
Searching for a new home can be a challenge; you have to make sure the house has all of the features you need, obtain financing, negotiate with the sellers…the ever-growing list can seem daunting. But with the help of your trusty real estate agent, it’s nothing you can’t handle. That is, until you find out your personal information or finances may have been compromised by cyber criminals somewhere along the line.
Cue panic attack.
It’s become common practice for cyber criminals to hack into email systems and attempt to steal personal information. Unfortunately, many of these scammers see real estate transactions as a gold mine, and rightfully so; there’s a ton of money changing hands and personal information galore. These criminals collect private information by sending emails to buyers prior to their closing, pretending to be their real estate agent or title company.
It’s important to practice extreme caution when you give out any sort of financial or personal information, even if it seems to make sense at the time. These scammers are skilled at deception—it’s what they do for a living.
Avoid becoming a victim of these online con artists by making sure you know exactly who you are communicating with and contacting your professionals directly through phone numbers you’ve previously established are safe. Emails that tell you there’s been a last-minute change or demand immediate action are red flags, and you should exercise caution when clicking on links or opening attached pdf files. Hover your mouse over links before clicking to make sure they are from trusted websites or navigate to the website yourself.
At Title Junction, your security and comfort are of the utmost importance to us. If you don’t feel comfortable giving your information via email, we’ll be more than happy to accommodate you on the phone. Still not comfortable? Stop by our Fort Myers office and speak to us in person to verify any needed information. When you close with us, we will always give you the real estate/closing relationship you deserve.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Understanding Loan Fees and Their Origins
Understanding Loan Fees and Their Origins
Loan application fees. Yuck. Nobody likes to shell out money just to apply for a loan, but it’s a necessary evil. The loan origination process does involve work on the lender’s side, and the application fee pays for the costs of underwriting the loan, the home appraisal, a copy of your credit report, and any additional charges that may be necessary.
To give you a bit more perspective, here’s a basic overview of the loan origination process:
Application Processing – The lender has to process your application by reviewing the information for accuracy and completeness. If there’s any faulty or missing information, they will send it back to you to correct or fill out.
Underwriting – This is where the lender pulls together provided information like employment information and credit scores, which are taken into consideration along with the information on your application. Once the underwriting process is complete, the lender will decide whether to approve or reject your file.
One Last Check – If it’s approved, your file will go through one last round of quality control, which is essentially a last minute check to make sure everything is in order before they fund your loan.
Keep in mind that application fees are generally non-refundable, so make sure to get pre-qualified before you submit any loan applications.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Help or Hassle: What’s Your Title Company Giving You?
Help or Hassle: What’s Your Title Company Giving You?
As a home buyer, seller, or real estate agent, you’ve probably seen the odd advertisement about the importance of title insurance and choosing the right title company for your closing. And with a wide selection of horror stories featuring fraud, liens, miscommunication, and even lost investments, it’s understandable why you’d want to shop around for a reliable title company in your area. However, if you’ve already selected a title company and are in the final stages prior to your closing, consider these questions:
- Has the title company sent a settlement statement?
- Were wiring instructions sent?
- Has the title company consistently communicated with you?
If your chosen title company hasn’t provided you with these basic considerations within a timely manner, you might want to reevaluate how reliable they really are. Do you feel confident that everything is being done correctly? Are you sure your closing will even take place?
With Title Junction, you’ll never have to wonder about the status of your closing. We keep you informed every step of the way, from contract to closing table. Choose the title company that will give you the real estate / closing relationship you deserve.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: PMI? What’s That?
PMI? What’s That?
If you type PMI into Google, the first result that pops up will likely be for a non-profit organization. But if you scroll down a few results, you’ll see the meaning that makes a lot more sense within the context of buying a house: Private Mortgage Insurance. Or in some cases, Private Mortgage Insurer.
In either case, these are privately-owned companies that provide mortgage insurance. They offer both standard and special affordable programs for borrowers. These companies provide guidelines to lenders that detail the types of loans they will insure, and Lenders use these guidelines to determine borrower eligibility.
Most mortgage lenders will require that you have mortgage insurance in order to obtain a loan. PMI’s usually have stricter qualifying ratios—like having a good credit score—and larger down payment requirements than the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is another option for mortgage insurance. But PMI premiums are often lower and they insure loans that exceed the FHA limit. In other words, PMI’s give you more options if you qualify.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Beginners Mini-Guide to Real Estate Investments
Beginners Mini-Guide to Real Estate Investments
Feeling ready to dip your toes into real estate investment? Here are a few options to consider prior to making a final decision on how you want to invest:
Rentals This is a classic way to enter into the real estate investment process. Apartments, condos or homes near colleges prove to be popular as they are high in demand and have a decent turnover rate as new students arrive and graduating students end their leases. If a high renter turnover rate doesn’t jive with you, you can always rent to families, who tend to stay in place longer than students.
Vacation Homes These locations often prove to be different from your basic rental because you are also selling the experience and the location, rather than just the features. You will also be responsible for maintaining the property for a variety of guests for shorter periods of time. These homes may be easier to advertise, enticing vacationers no matter where they live.
Your Own Home Your own home may be your greatest investment! In this scenario you can enjoy the convenience and luxury of making your own personalized upgrades while knowing that the value of your home will increase with every strategic improvement you make.
These are just a few of the many ways to begin investing in real estate. Remember that if you are buying property, title companies like Title Junction can help protect your finances while taking you from contract to closing table for each property you wish to purchase for investment.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Selling Your Home: The Closing Process
Selling Your Home: The Closing Process
Picture this:
It’s finally happened; after listing your home and surviving the countless open houses and lowball offers, a buyer finally comes forward with an acceptable offer. They’ve signed the sales contract and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel—until a landslide of financial, contractual, and legal steps on both sides snuffs out that light faster than you can say “closing.”
Yes, sadly, a signed sales contract does not mean that your house is sold. Before you can make it to the closing table where your house will well and truly be sold, the buyer has to get financing to meet the contract terms—which includes credit checks.
Additionally, the property is inspected and appraised; title insurance and escrow accounts are set up while you locate new housing, pack and move. You’ll also need to take care of any obligations like painting or repairs. After the contract is signed, it can take a month or more of closing steps to reach the closing meeting.
When you plan to sell your house, make sure to factor the appropriate closing steps into your plans.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: How Is Title Insurance Different?
How Is Title Insurance Different?
Most of us are familiar with the concept of insurance. Because we can’t see into the future, we can never be too careful when it comes to protecting the things that we value most. But how many people understand the difference between owner’s title insurance and pretty much any other kind of insurance?
Take automobile insurance, for example. Fees and rates are calculated based on statistics from studies that have demonstrated the idea of assumed accidental rates. These insurance companies are banking on the idea that accidents will happen, whereas title insurance companies work for you to make sure that nothing does happen and, if it does, you’re fully covered.
Title companies—like Title Junction—pride themselves on eliminating the risk of threatened ownership and property investment. Title companies are able to do this by diligently gathering, storing and examining previous and current records that pertain to the property being purchased.
Additionally, an owner’s policy only requires a one-time payment that will protect you until the day you sell your home, whether that happens the following day or 20 years down the line.
Most importantly, by choosing a title company that you can trust (hint: Title Junction), you’re investing in peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about property disputes that may arise in the future because you’ll have a reliable and resourceful company backing you for as long as you own your home!
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: How Can I Keep Track of the Homes I View?
How Can I Keep Track of the Homes I View?
If you’re viewing multiple house listings in pursuit of “the one,” it can be a challenge to keep track of all the details. Was it the first property that needed bath renovations or the second? Did your realtor say that one of the property owners would negotiate on hiring painters? Was it the fourth home you saw that had granite countertops or the seventh?
We’ve all been there; you’re confident that you’ll remember all the details about the house you’re viewing, but when you finally get around to considering your options at the end of multiple walk-throughs, the individual details seem to fuse together. So what can you do to keep track of your thoughts on each property?
Pictures
Don’t be afraid to take snapshots of a home for later viewing. If you can’t recall something, a visual could be just the thing to jog your memory. Make sure to get a variety of photos that include the exterior of the house, the major rooms, the yard, and any extra features you either like or see as potential problems.
Notes
Even though a photo will probably help you remember your thoughts after a walk-through, it’s possible that you’ll wonder why you took that particular photo in the first place. Jot down how you felt about the size of the rooms once you were in them. Did you have any concerns about sounds? How about smells? These are crucial details that should be kept in mind when making your final decision.
Organize
The last thing you want to do is mix up photos and notes from different houses. Create separate folders (digital or physical) for each house you viewed, and include any contact information you may need regarding questions about each given property.
We know there’s a lot to keep track of when shopping for a new home, but a little bit of extra effort during walk-throughs can help avert many future headaches.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
In case you missed it, check out our last Title Junction post: Could My Loan Costs Exceed The Loan Estimate?