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
Professional home staging can be great if you’re considering selling your property. Read this post from Stewart: Schutt Law in Fort Myers to learn everything you need to know about it.
If you’re venturing into the real estate world for the first time, you might hear about stagers and the wonders they can do with a property. You might be inclined to think that their job is just interior decoration, but it’s much more than that. A professional staging service will look at your home and enhance its decor and furnishings to appeal to a certain kind of buyer. It might seem over the top for some sellers to enlist the help of a stager, but many that use their services notice that their home sells faster and at a better price than if they didn’t hire one. Keep reading to learn more about staging and all the benefits of working with a professional home staging company.
If you’re venturing into the real estate world for the first time, you might hear about stagers and the wonders they can do with a property. You might be inclined to think that their job is just interior decoration, but it’s much more than that. A professional staging service will look at your home and enhance its decor and furnishings to appeal to a certain kind of buyer. It might seem over the top for some sellers to enlist the help of a stager, but many that use their services notice that their home sells faster and at a better price than if they didn’t hire one. Keep reading to learn more about staging and all the benefits of working with a professional home staging company.
Finding the right buyer can be easier with a home selling team. As a part of that team, working with a professional home staging company can be a great asset. Likewise, having an experienced title services company like Schutt Law is a great idea. Call them at (239) 540-7007 for their excellent title services.
What is a Stager’s Skillset?
If you’ve ever visited a home that a stager has worked on, you might think that all they did was move some furniture around and spray some pleasant scents in the rooms you visit. But in reality, stagers do much more than this. Unlike interior designers, the work of a stager focuses on making a space sellable and appealing to many types of people. They also apply popular decor trends to enhance the space while keeping it as neutral as possible to allow people to picture themselves living in the space.Stagers and title agents are two excellent professionals to have by your side when selling your home. If you still don’t have a professional title company by your side, call Schutt Law today at (239) 540-7007 and speak with one of their experienced agents.
Why Should You Work with a Stager?
Working with a stager has many advantages, like their objectivity, expertise, and access to suppliers that can help furnish and decorate your property. For a more in-depth look at their skills, read ahead.They Will Be Objective
An important insight that a professional home staging service will bring to the equation is being objective. Whether you’re selling your family home or a property you’ve invested in for a few years, it can be hard to look at it objectively. Sometimes, even decor can be very personal for a family, and it can be hard to change. But the reality is that not everyone likes the same type of decor. That’s why it’s important to let someone walk through the space and think about it critically to decide what stays, what goes, and what areas could be improved.They Have An Eye for Trends
As mentioned before, stagers are experts in decor trends and have an eye for enhancing spaces. Think about a stager as both an interior designer and a real estate professional. These things help a professional stager decide what would work best for your property to get the best buyer. Real estate is a competitive industry, so taking advantage of every little trick in the book is essential to help your property stand out from the rest.Access to a Decor Catalog and Pieces
Having a decor catalog and pieces to furnish your property is another advantage of having a professional stager. Staging a home isn’t just about moving some things around. It’s about making a space come together and feel cohesive. While a stager will sometimes work with what you have, they will sometimes bring pieces from their vendors to help you decorate your property. Access to a stager’s catalog will also prevent you from spending money on things you will only use temporarily.Get Better Offers
Lastly, having a professionally staged property can help you get a higher offer. Staging can make a space more attractive and convince buyers to bid for your house, drumming up interest and hopefully getting many attractive offers for your property.Now that you know more about what staging can do for your home selling process, you’re one step closer to sealing the deal with potential buyers. Call Schutt Law at (239) 540-7007 if you need any title services in Fort Myers, and a friendly agent will help you in no time.
12601 New Brittany Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Phone: 239.540.7007
Fax: 239.791.1080
