SCHUTT LAW FIRM, P.A.
Phone: 239.540.7007
YOU ARE HERE: HOME / TITLE INSURANCE
Title Insurance
Selling a property is tough in a competitive housing market, but there are things you can do to help your home stand out from the crowd. Attract potential buyers to view your property by boosting your curb appeal with these tips from Schutt Law Firm in Fort Myers.
Repaint
If it’s within your budget, repainting can provide a whole new lease of life to the exterior of your home. If you do decide to repaint, make sure to opt for a neutral color as this is likely to appeal to the largest number of buyers. If repainting is outside your budget, hiring a power washer and thoroughly cleaning the outside of your home is a good alternative.
Fix up your front door
Your front door is likely to be the focal point of the exterior of your home, so make sure it draws buyers’ eyes by painting it an eye-catching shade and ensure it gives a good impression by polishing or replacing the knocker, letterbox and house numbers. ;
Tend to your yard
If you have a front yard this can be either a great draw for buyers or a total turn-off, depending on how well it’s maintained. Take the time to prune your shrubbery and mow your lawn, and consider planting some flowerbeds or installing a water feature to really up your yard’s appeal.
Light
Illuminating the exterior of your home can help it appear warm and inviting, and also creates a feeling of safety. If you have a porch make sure it’s lit, and consider installing some sconce lights either side of your front door. If you have a path leading up to your home, add some garden lights illuminating the way to capture buyers’ attention.
If you’re taking part in a real estate transaction, there are many reasons that securing the services of a title insurance agent is essential. No doubt you want to protect yourself from financial risk, so make sure you don’t run into issues with your new home’s deed by securing title insurance in Fort Myers with Schutt Law Firm. Call 239.540.7007 to get the best team in town.
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
12601 New Brittany Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Phone: 239.540.7007
Fax: 239.791.1080
