SCHUTT LAW FIRM, P.A.
Phone: 239.540.7007
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Schutt Law Firm, P.A. - Attorney Profile
Home Closing 101
Do you know what to expect on closing day?
Most people don’t. And that can lead to some uneasiness. But help is here. The American Land Title Association, or ALTA, has created a website featuring information every homebuyer can use to help familiarize themselves with the closing process before walking into the closing
The Home Closing 101 Site
At Home Closing 101 you will find information you can use to prepare yourself for closing. The site covers topics such as title insurance, escrow fees and closing costs. So when the time comes to sign on the dotted line you’ll feel fully prepared.
Home Closing 101 is especially helpful for first time buyers. Buying a house is an exciting time and the more you know about the process, the more relaxed you’ll be going through it. Spend a little time on the site and you can walk through the home buying process, receiving explanations for each step and helpful hints on how to find the right people to help you on your journey to homeownership.
Click here to start learning about the home buying process.
What Is American Land Title Association (ALTA)?
Founded in 1907, ALTA is the national trade association and voice of the title insurance industry. ALTA members search, review and insure land titles to protect home buyers and mortgage lenders who invest in real estate.
ALTA members advocate safe and efficient transfer of real estate and insist on high standards when searching land title records and preparing insurance documents. The industry seeks to eliminate risk before insuring, which provides homebuyers with the best possible chance of avoiding land title problems. But, title difficulties can and do occur, and members offer both Owner’s and Lender’s title insurance policies as effective safeguards.
Click here to visit the ALTA website.
About Stewart Title Insurance
Stewart (NYSE: STC) is a leading provider of real estate services, including global residential and commercial title insurance, escrow and settlement services, lender services, underwriting, specialty insurance and other solutions that facilitate successful real estate transactions. Stewart offers personalized service, industry expertise and customized solutions for virtually any type of real estate transaction, through our direct operations, network of approved agencies and other companies within the Stewart family. Through a focus on integrity, smart growth and conservative management, Stewart remains committed to serving our customers, innovating and improving to meet their needs in an ever-changing market.
Please click on the link below for more information:
WHY TITLE INSURANCE?
Owning real estate is one of the most precious values of freedom in this country. You want the assurance that the property you are buying will be yours. Other than your mortgage holder, no one else should have any claims or restrictions against your home.
Title insurance is issued after a careful examination of the public records. But even the most thorough search cannot absolutely assure that no title faults are present, despite the knowledge and experience of professional title examiners. In addition to matters shown by public records, other title problems may exist that cannot be disclosed in a search. Title insurance eliminates any risks and losses caused by faults in title from an event that occurred before you owned the property.
Title insurance is different from other types of insurance in that it protects you, the insured, from a loss that may occur from matters or faults from the past. Other types of insurance such as auto, life, or health cover you against losses that may occur in the future. Title insurance does not protect against any future faults, but does protect you from risks or undiscovered interests. Another difference is that you pay a one-time premium for a policy that remains effective until the property is sold to a new owner - even if that doesn't occur for decades.
What is a Lender's Policy?
A lender's policy, also known as a loan policy or a mortgage policy, protects the lender against loss due to unknown title defects. It also protects the lender's interest from certain matters which may exist, but may not be known at the time of the sale.
This policy only protects the lender's interest. It does not protect the purchaser. That is why a real estate purchaser needs an owner's policy.
What is an owner's policy?
An owner's policy protects you, the purchaser, against a loss that may occur from a fault in the ownership or interest you have in the property. You should protect the equity in your new home with a title policy.
What does an owner's policy provide?
- Protection from financial loss due to demands that may be charged against the title to your home, up to the cost of the title policy.
- Payment of legal costs if the title insurer has to defend your title against a covered claim.
- Payment of successful claims against the title to your home covered by the policy, up to the cost of the policy.
Why the seller needs to provide title insurance?
Any purchaser will need evidence that his investment in your property is free of title defects. The title insurance policy that you provide the purchaser is a guarantee that you are selling a clear title to your real estate, unencumbered by any legal attachments that might limit or jeopardize ownership. It will reassure your purchaser that he or she is protected from any risks or losses and could help you close your deal.
Why the buyer needs title insurance?
Without title insurance, you may not be fully protected against errors in public records, hidden defects not disclosed by the public records, or mistakes in examination of the title. As a result, you may be held fully accountable for any prior liens, judgments or claims brought against your new property. If this should occur, your title policy insures that you will be defended at no cost against all covered claims up to the amount of the policy.
How much does title insurance cost?
The insurance commission approves and controls the premiums for title insurance policies. The premiums are paid only once and the cost depends upon the purchase price of the property and the policy amount must be equal to the purchase price.
What does title insurance protect from?
- Fraud
- Adverse possession
- Rights of divorced parties
- Deeds by minors
- Undisclosed Heirs
- Errors in tax records
- False affidavits of death or heirship
- Probate matters
- Deeds and wills by persons of unsound mind
- Conveyances by undisclosed divorced spouses
- Forfeitures of real property due to criminal acts
- Deeds by persons falsely representing their marital status
- Documents executed by a revoked or expired Power of Attorney
- Defective acknowledgements due to improper or expired notarization
- Mistakes and omissions resulting in improper abstracting
- Forged deeds, mortgages, wills, releases and other documents
- False impersonation of the true land owner
Selling your home during the summer is a great option. This daunting task can take some time, but you can make it easier by taking the right steps. Start by updating your curb appeal with these tips.
Make Your Home Stand out This Summer
The summer months are a great time to sell your home. If this is part of your plans, prepare yourself for what can be a long process. With that said, you can speed up the process a bit by getting your home looking its best. To attract more attention from potential buyers, step up your curb appeal with these tips.Clean the Outside of Your Home
The first step to great curb appeal is a tidy and clean exterior. Start off by cleaning your home's exterior thoroughly so you can see what you're working with. Wash down and scrub the siding so you can remove all the built-up grime it may have, wash the windows and screens so that they shine in the sun, clean out the gutters, and clear away any debris or junk in your yard. These basic steps will help your home look well taken care of and tidy, all of which will send good signs to potential buyers.Inspect the Exterior
Once your home is clean, grab a notebook and a pen and walk around the outside of your home. Pretend you're a buyer who's interested in the home. With that critical eye, take note of issues you see on the outside of your home. You may notice things like chipping paint, rust, cracks, broken fixtures. These things may not stand out on a normal day because you're used to seeing them, but that doesn't mean potential buyers won't notice them. Once you have a list of things that need to be fixed, get to work on making these small repairs.Keep Your Lawn Tidy
When a potential buyer shows up for a home visit, one of the first things they may notice is your lawn. If your lawn is green, full, and trim, they will certainly be impressed. A lawn like this can add value and appeal to your home, so do your best to get your lawn looking great. If, however, your lawn is patchy, dry, or overgrown, it won't have the same effect. In fact, a lawn like this can make your home look messy, unkempt, and unattractive. Buyers may even wonder how much work it'll take to get it back to looking good. They may also think you haven't kept up with maintenance, which can lead to them being more critical of any other details that are a bit off. Be sure to purchase title insurance in Fort Myers to protect your investment. To learn all about the importance of title insurance, contact the friendly experts at Schutt Law at (239) 540-7007.Make the Outside Pop
After looking at your lawn, your home visitors will focus their attention on the home's facade. Your cleaning will help it look more appealing, so be sure to really scrub the grime off the siding, repair any issues in the paint, and make it look welcoming. If you're in a rush, simply painting details like the siding or the front door can give your home's exterior a facelift. Don't forget to also stage areas like the porch so that they look more welcoming. Something as simple as a friendly welcome mat, some potted plants, or even a bench or some chairs can make the space feel warmer and more inviting. Don't forget about your garage! Clean the garage door and consider giving it a coat of paint so that it looks like new.Wash the Walkways
Finally, you may not pay much attention to the walkways, but these can certainly influence the look of your home's exterior. Keep your lawn trim so that its edges don't spill onto the walkways. Sweep these areas and remove anything that may be blocking them. After these areas are clear, use a power washer to remove all of the dirt that has made them dingy. You may be surprised to see just how much dirt has accumulated on them over time. After washing them down, look for cracks that need to be filled in. Remove any weeds that are growing out of them and then fill the crack with cement to make your walkways look fresh and clean.Purchase Title Insurance in Fort Myers
Protect your home investment with title insurance in Fort Myers. The title insurance experts at Schutt Law can answer all the questions you may have. Give them a call at (239) 540-7007 to get your questions answered.12601 New Brittany Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Phone: 239.540.7007
Fax: 239.791.1080
