Savanna Yates

Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life came with a guarantee? Whatever you purchased would automatically be protected? Knowing what you bought, is exactly what you paid for? Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make, so you want to make sure that your investment is protected. Title Insurance is there to make sure your home is exactly what it is, YOUR HOME. Who pays for this reassurance? Commonly you would think that the seller should pay for Title Insurance; the seller should guarantee that the investment the buyer is about to make is a good one and clear of any defects on the title. Hold on a second! "Caveat emptor" Latin for "Let the buyer beware!" Shouldn't the buyer pay for Title Insurance to make sure what they are buying is free and clear of any defects, it's their investment!

As you can see, everyone has a valid point when it comes to who should pay for Title Insurance and it is highly debated topic. It is customary in Palm Beach County, Florida that the Seller pays for the Title Insurance and in Broward County, Florida it is customary that the Buyer pays for Title Insurance. Don't let this be a deal killer! These fees are always negiotiable and can be easily solved with communication between both Seller and Buyer. Just remember, whoever pays the Title Insurance will choose the Title Company.

United Title Agenices, Inc. is ready to serve any and all of your Real Estate transaction needs, we are located in Lake Worth, Fl and Boca Raton, Fl and close transactions all through out the state of Florida. If you should have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office right away; we look forward to hearing from you.

Savanna Yates

For most people buying real estate, one of the many questions asked is, "What is Title Insurance and do I really need it?" First, a mortgage company will often require a title policy for its own protection. That policy protects only the lender and is called a mortgage policy. "Well, I don't need it...I'm paying cash!" Your right, you don't need one if you paying cash, but the real question should be is how could you afford not to have title insurance? Title insurance is there to protect the new homeowners from the many possibilities of loss due to title defects such as, claims, judgments, encumbrances, liens, falsification of records, forged deeds, illegal acts of trustees and many more. The cost of an owner's title insurance policy is small when related to the value of the property. The higher valuation of the home, the more insurance you will need. Having a title insurance policy could end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, if a claim is made.

That is why here at United Title Agencies, Inc. your biggest investment is our number one priority. You can put your trust in United Title Agencies Inc. We provide personal service and exceptional quality. All of our services are guaranteed. We have been in business for over 30 years and it is our belief that your title company needs to go the extra mile: therefore, our closings are styled to fit our customer's needs. Our unparalleled service, competitive prices, and overall value are why our loyal customers won't go anywhere else. If you should have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office right away; we look forward to hearing from you.

A few days ago I was sitting here reading my horoscope. It read, "Your Karma Chips are going to be cashed in soon..." So, I was thinking right on! Finally, I've done the right thing, it's about time something happens! Today, front page a year and half later...Headline:

"Owners of Flagler Title indicted on fraud charges; Royal Palm Beach couple skipped town." http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/business/epaper/2009/10/14/1013indict.html

Let me give you the readers digest version:

I was a marketing rep for Flagler Title Company. My job was to create and manage relationships with Realtors/Mortgage Brokers/Banks and receive there orders for title work. I loved my job and I'm not just saying that. I mean I would jump out of bed in the morning, rush getting ready, drop my daughter off and for the next 8 hours of my day I was in the hustle and bustle of the Real Estate world and loved every moment of it. Most of you know the story but for those of you who don't the Owner of the Company for over 33 years Roger Gamblin, was stealing money to the toon of 15 million at last count. Took off quicker than the employees and customers knew what even hit them. Who was left to clean his mess up??? Exactly.

It has taken this long for them to gather enough evidence to bring criminal charges against them. Now the police can get involved...Now...the manhunt!

They may never find him, but God knows I pray they do. I have a lot of karma chips and hopefully it's enough to bring him down. He faces 30 years for each charge. Me, I'm doing just fine. I work for the best Title Company in Palm Beach County and work with the best Realtors/Mortgage Brokers and couldn't ask for more!

Real Estate Inspections for Home Buyers

One of the most critical parts of the buying process is the home inspection, because the inspector's report will reveal things to the new homeowner than may not be visible to an untrained eye. As a result of the inspection the buyer will determine whether repairs are needed, for example, and how much to negotiate with the seller for the cost of those. An inspection that raises red flags can help the buyer avoid catastrophic problems, while an inspection that goes smoothly gives valuable reassurance, peace of mind, and confidence in the purchase decision.

The main inspection happens soon after an offer to purchase a house is made, and it is done by a licensed and certified professional who checks the house for structural integrity and examines the mechanical aspects of the home such as kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning systems. This buyer-ordered inspection makes many buyers, especially those who have never purchased a home, a little bit apprehensive. That's only natural, because it is like going to the dentist for a check-up and hoping that there are no cavities. But learning about the inspection process beforehand helps to give the buyer greater insight into the process and put those fears to rest.

Essentially, this building inspector's responsibility is to check the house from top to bottom and then issue a comprehensive report. If possible, try to be present and accompany the inspector during the home inspection, because this is a great opportunity to ask questions and have things explained along the way. A good inspector can also give you tips on maintaining the house in optimal condition, which will make it much easier and cost effective once you move in and become the responsible homeowner. He or she might show you, for instance, how to change the filters in the air conditioning unit or point out simple ways to keep the foundation dry and the keep the house free from wood rot or termites.

After getting the final written report, ask any questions you have and then let your real estate broker convey the findings to the seller to work out arrangements to pay for needed repairs. Buyers may prefer to do the repairs themselves after closing on the house, and in that case they should ask the homeowner for a discount or repair allowance to cover the cost. Or they can insist that the repairs be done by the seller before closing.

If the items in the inspection report are minor - like leaking faucets or gutters that need to be cleaned - you may decide to do them yourself without asking for concessions from the seller, so that you do not run the risk of losing the home of your dreams by bickering over incidentals. Of course if they are serious issues like a roof that needs to be replaced or a faulty electrical system, these should be addressed immediately and resolved to your complete satisfaction.

Keep a copy of your inspection report because it can be a handy reference in terms of home maintenance oversight. The information it contains can also help you prioritize any potential home improvement projects or future upgrades, and to communicate with contractors about the characteristics of the home and its various systems and components.

By JEFF OSTROWSKI

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Friday, August 21, 2009

ORLANDO - The Florida economy has begun to improve, Gov. Charlie Crist said this morning in a speech to the Florida Association of Realtors.

The stock market and housing market seemed on the verge of collapse earlier this year but now have strengthened, Crist said.

"You can feel it getting better," he said. "We were afraid the economy was going to fall off a cliff. It doesn't feel like that any more."

He pointed to falling property tax bills and rising numbers of home sales. Statewide, sales of existing homes were up 23 percent from the second quarter of 2008 to the second quarter of 2009, while condo sales spiked 29 percent.

"That's a far sight better than this time last year," Crist said.

Crist also noted that homeowners insurance rates have fallen by 17 percent since he signed an insurance reform package in 2007.

Since then, 47 new carriers have entered the state, Crist said, although he didn't mention that Florida's largest private insurer, State Farm, plans to leave the property market over the next two years.

This is a great positive post from the Local Newspaper. It's about time we get the positive news out there. It's a long time coming for a full recovery but it's starting. How is the news in your area? Are things starting to pick up in your neck of the woods? Let me know about it!