SCHUTT LAW FIRM, P.A.
Phone: 239.540.7007
YOU ARE HERE:  HOME / TITLE INSURANCE
Title Insurance
07/29/2015
To set an accurate price for a property, it needs to be appraised by a professional. During this process, the person in charge will take into account a few different elements to then come up with a number that represents the property's worth. If you'd like to learn a bit more about what goes into a home appraisal, you can find more information below.

How to Do a Home Appraisal

Learn About the Property's Condition

Obviously, a strong home won't be worth the same as one that's falling apart. The home inspection will let the appraiser know the condition the property is in, and how it can influence the home price.

Look Into the Property's Past

You never know what a property's past may be hiding and how it can impact its value. For instance, a place where a crime was committed may not sell as well. For this reason, the appraiser should look into the property's history and records.

Consider the Property's Amenities

Needless to say, the property's features can have a huge say on its worth. A big backyard, a garage, and other amenities can make the house more appealing and more expensive.

Take the Neighborhood into Account

The amenities and features of the neighborhood the house is in should be considered. The vibe, the places nearby, its transportation system, and the crime rate can make the place more or less valuable.

Weigh In the Property's Selling Process

Sometimes, the mere fact that a property has been on sale for a long time can put a dent in its pricing. An appraiser should know to weigh in the property's selling process when estimating its price.

Analyze the Context

Lastly, the appraiser should also evaluate the context surrounding the property's selling process. How the economy is doing and what similar houses are selling for can make a huge difference as well.

For Title Insurance in Fort Myers

Contact Schutt Law Firm, P.A. in Fort Myers so they can provide the title services your case requires so you can close the deal safely. Call 239.540.7007 for more information, or if you're in need of title insurance in Fort Myers.
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