Pro Tips for Closing on a Home – Buyers

House-hunting and house-selling can often feel like hiking up a hill, with many possible twists and turns before reaching the top.  The last leg of the journey is the final important step:  closing on your home. 

Closing is a detailed, weeks-long process that requires buyers and sellers to complete numerous tasks before they can finalize everything. 

Here are some tips to help a smooth, stress-free closing.

PRO TIPS FOR BUYERS

  1. Review and execute on all contingency requirements. Purchase agreements contain requirements that buyers must meet to make the contract binding. These include:
    1. Home inspection
    2. Appraisals
    3. Financing
    4. Sale of the buyer’s home contingency – gives the buyer the right to terminate the contract if their home does not sell by a certain date.
  2. Have funds ready before closing the close.
  3. If you are wiring, take all steps to prevent fraud.
  4. Be available for any last minute requests from your realtor. Expect and be flexible for any last-minute changes.
  5. Bring all closing-related documents to closing – make sure you get the list from your realtor at least a month in advance of the close, where possible. If it is less than a month, get focused!
  6. Be ready for final fees. 
  7. Review documents carefully.
  8. Do a final walk-through of the property.  Test everything and make sur all agreed upon changes or updates have been completed and at the quality you need.  
  9. Celebrate! You made a great investment! 


Heritage Land Transfer is proud to offer a national platform of title insurance and comprehensive settlement services at the most competitive rates.  Please get to know us and contact us if you are a  realtor, broker, buyer, seller, lender, attorney, investor, or a developer looking for a partnership and resource with a trusted title company.  https://landtransfer.com/about/about-us/

Things are heating up this Spring! 

Things are heating up this Spring!   Now is the time to choose Heritage.

Transactions need to close on time. With more than 30 years in the business, Heritage is Top 100 Title Insurance firms in the USA for a reason:

    • Guaranteed best prices in the market.
    • Full-service firm.
    • An alternative to internal departments so you help your client close on time.
    • Service all property types.
    • We provide immediate response: call, text, email.
    • We travel anywhere and anytime.


 

 

 

Heritage Land Transfer is proud to offer a national platform of title insurance and comprehensive settlement services at the most competitive rates.  Please get to know us and contact us if you are a  realtor, broker, buyer, seller, lender, attorney, investor, or a developer looking for a partnership and resource with a trusted title company.  https://landtransfer.com/about/about-us/

Gen Z Has Goals to Be Homebuyers before Age 28

Despite the boom in multifamily rental market across the United States, Gen Z has remarkable saving habits and they have a mission to achieve homeownership – more than any recent generation.  This insight results from a recent survey by Realtor.com.  Due to one of the best labor markets in the past two generations, their goal to achieve homeownership is in sight!  And while other generations might  seek real estate for investment or tax purposes, Gen Z seeks a place and living space that is tailored to their lifestyle and interior and exterior interests.  Following home customization, they are readying for their family raising and look for both urban and suburban options. 

 

So, don’t count out Gen Z as forever renters!  Heritage Land Transfers serves many first time homebuyers and increasingly focused to serve the specific needs of Gen Z for a smooth transition to homeownership!

 

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Heritage Land Transfer is proud to offer a national platform of title insurance and comprehensive settlement services at the most competitive rates.  Please get to know us and contact us if you are a  realtor, broker, buyer, seller, lender, attorney, investor, or a developer looking for a partnership and resource with a trusted title company.  https://landtransfer.com/about/about-us/

 Make Sure Your Client is Protected: What to Communicate to Your Client  

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The closing and settlement time can be overwhelming for residential or commercial buyers. There is a ton of paperwork, required signatures, and various closing fees that can confuse even experienced buyers.  

I am sure Owner’s have asked you why they need title insurance and might consider it an optional expense. Let’s walk through some of the basics that help you advise them about title insurance value and the dangers when one goes without it. 

What is Title Insurance? 

Owner’s title insurance is a policy that protects the homebuyer or commercial owner’s property rights and protects their legal claims to the property. 

Protection from Liens 

For new construction or renovations, this is particularly important. Let’s say a builder or flip individual fails to pay a vendor they used – the roofer, the electrician, the engineer, etc. That vendor does have a right to file a lien against the property. If your client did not take out title insurance, they would be the responsible party to pay the vendor. And that is an expense they should not have to endure (in fact, they already paid for it in the original purchase price!)  With owner’s title insurance, your client would be protected from certain legal or financial responsibilities. 

 Protection from Unknown Defects 

Owner’s title insurance protects residential and commercial owners financially, as long as they or their heirs own the home. For a low, one-time fee at closing, homebuyers can rest assured, knowing they are protected against unknown defects that could cause financial loss. 

Heritage Land Transfer – A Valuable Resource for Realtors  

The team at Heritage works every day with realtors, attorneys, and buyers to help them understand the options they have for land title insurance. We provide all stakeholders involved in real estate the best insights and advice for protection and provide the peace of mind your client should have at closing.  

For more information about title insurance visit https://landtransfer.com/real-estate-title-insurance-settlement-services/

Heritage Land Transfer is proud to offer a national platform of title insurance and comprehensive settlement services at the most competitive rates.  Please get to know us and contact us if you are a  realtor, broker, buyer, seller, lender, attorney, investor, or a developer looking for a partnership and resource with a trusted title company.  https://landtransfer.com/about/about-us/

Navigating Complexities of Closings – Leveraging Heritage

Title Insurance Company

Managing complexity perfectly, efficiently – making it easy for you.  Did you know that you can rely on Heritage Land Transfer to help you manage a whole host of complexities of residential or commercial transactions and closings?

        1. Municipal Lien Searches 
        2. Title Searches 
        3. Tax Reports
        4. Judgement Searches 
        5. UCC Searches 
        6. HOA Research
        7. Title Curative/Clearing
        8. Lien Release Tracking 
        9. Underwriting Services
        10. Attorney Services

Relying on an expert who is devoted to 5-star service for clients and buyers, you can count on Heritage to help make sure your closing does not crumble and stays on time with all the critical documents you and the buyer need.  Call us for more information on how we do it.  https://landtransfer.com/real-estate-title-insurance-settlement-services/

Heritage Land Transfer is proud to offer a national platform of title insurance and comprehensive settlement services at the most competitive rates.  Please get to know us and contact us if you are a  realtor, broker, buyer, seller, lender, attorney, investor, or a developer looking for a partnership and resource with a trusted title company.  https://landtransfer.com/about/about-us/

2023 Outlook  – Looks Good!

As you plan for your 2023 listings, acquisition, and sales, we want to share some points on what sets Heritage Land Transfer apart and serves as an ideal strategic partner for your commercial and residential title insurance and settlement services.

Experience:  With more than 30 years in the industry, we’ve seen and done it all. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you!

Residential and Commercial:  We have expertise in both residential and commercial and offer you a one-stop shop for all of your buyer or seller needs.

Comprehensive In-House Services:  While many other title companies rely on subcontractors, we aim to keep our work in-house. Our staff includes a team of lawyers and experienced underwriters. This results in streamlined, efficient services with fast turnarounds.

Client-Centered Processes: We use top-of-the-line processes and software to facilitate client interactions, and all of our staff members aim to keep the customer informed every step of the way.

Convenience: We have customers all over Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and an expansive national footprint and maintain multiple offices throughout the region and US. This enables us to schedule closings on-location, or in the office for our clients, or wherever it’s convenient for them, minimizing their need to travel.  Everyone’s schedule is busy these days; we aim to be as flexible in our scheduling as possible.

Multilingual Staff: The ability to clearly communicate with our customers is key. We have employees who can speak Spanish and Mandarin, and we work with additional interpreters when needed.

Best Rates: We offer Guaranteed Low Rates to make your real estate transactions more affordable. 

Attorneys on Staff: Experienced real estate attorneys are here overseeing the process.

Heritage Land Transfer is proud to offer a national platform of title insurance and comprehensive settlement services at the most competitive rates.  Please get to know us and contact us if you are a  realtor, broker, buyer, seller, lender, attorney, investor, or a developer looking for a partnership and resource with a trusted title company.  https://landtransfer.com/about/about-us/

2022 – A Great Year in Review for Heritage

What a full year of new friends, clients, realtor partnerships, and closings for first time buyers, long-time partners, and commercial developers.  We are blessed and look forward to working with you in the New Year.  2023 Outlook Will be Good!   

Heritage has a little video tribute to our important relationships, closings, and joys of ownership to share.  Just click the image.  

Carmine Rego

 

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Understanding Mortgage Closing Costs

title settlement service
title settlement service

When you purchase a home with a mortgage, there are still a number of costs you need to pay up-front. One of these costs is the down payment on the loan. The other costs all fall under the umbrella of “closing costs.” These are various fees you pay to the bank, the attorney, your title settlement service, and other individuals and companies involved in the real estate transaction. 

It’s important to be an informed buyer, and part of being an informed buyer is knowing where various closing costs come from. Here are the typical closing costs you’ll pay when buying a home.

Loan Application Fee

This is a fee is paid to the bank to cover the costs associated with you applying for a loan.

Escrow Fee

At closing, you will generally be asked to pay several months’ worth of taxes and mortgage insurance payments into an escrow fund. This is bundled into the escrow fee. The funds will be kept in your escrow fund once the loan closes.

Lender’s Title Insurance Fee

Title insurance protects the lender if any defects in the title arise after closing. The fee for this insurance is paid to a real estate title company.

Owner’s Title Insurance Fee

You have the option of purchasing title insurance to protect you, the new owner of the home, from defects in the title. If you want this insurance, you’ll pay for it during closing.

Credit Report Fee

The bank will need to access your credit report in order to make you a loan offer. The fee for this credit report will be passed on to you.

Private Mortgage Insurance Premium (FHA Insurance Premium)

If your down payment is less than 20% of the home cost, you’ll generally be required to have private mortgage insurance. The first month’s premium is typically due at closing.

HOA Transfer Fee

If your new home is a part of a homeowner’s association, you’ll generally pay an HOA transfer fee to put the home into your name with the association.

Prepaid Daily Interest

Interest will accrue on your mortgage between your closing date and the first mortgage payment. You’ll pay this interest at closing as a fee called “prepaid daily interest.”

Survey and Recording Fee

The survey fee goes to the company that checks and establishes the property’s boundaries. A recording fee goes to the county clerk’s office for the processing of these records.

Title Search Fee

The title search will reveal any liens on the property or other possible discrepancies with the title. The fee for this service is paid to your PA settlement service at closing.

Transfer Fee

Many municipalities charge a transfer fee or transfer tax when ownership of a property changes. Costs vary widely from town to town and county to county.

Now that you understand these closing costs, you can enter the next real estate transaction as an informed buyer. If you’re looking for a “title search company near me” to work with you through the process, contact Heritage Land Transfer. We have a great network of real estate professionals to hold your hand through it. If you need a real estate escrow company, know that we offer escrow services too.

Our guaranteed lowest rates for title insurance, and our customer-centric, efficient title search and closing process helps our client reduce a lot of the stress and risk associated with real estate transactions. Contact us today.