Two Policies, Two Different Purposes When you close on a home, you'll likely encounter two separate title insurance policies: one for your lender and one for you as the owner. While they sound similar and are often purchased at the same time, they protect very different interests, and understanding the distinction can save you from …
Read more Owner’s Title Insurance vs. Lender’s Title Insurance: What’s the Difference?
What Is an HOA Lien? If you're purchasing a home in a community governed by a homeowners association, unpaid dues, fines, or special assessments can result in a lien being placed against the property. Because an HOA lien attaches to the property itself rather than just the individual owner, it can follow the home into …
How Wire Fraud Scams Work In a typical real estate wire fraud scheme, criminals hack or spoof the email account of a real estate agent, lender, or title company and monitor the conversation until closing is near. Just before funds are due, the buyer receives what looks like a legitimate email with updated wiring instructions, …
What Is a Property Lien? A lien is a legal claim against a property that secures payment of a debt. Until that debt is satisfied or otherwise resolved, the lien typically must be cleared before the property can transfer with clear title to a new owner. Liens can attach to a property even without the …
Read more Understanding Property Liens and How They Affect an Ohio Home Sale
Why Refinancing Involves Title Insurance Even though you already own your home, refinancing means taking out a brand-new loan with a new lender, and that new lender wants its own title insurance policy protecting its lien position on the property. It doesn't matter that nothing has changed about who owns the home; the new mortgage …
Read more Refinancing Your Ohio Home: Do You Need a New Title Insurance Policy?
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Whether you're purchasing your first house in Columbus, refinancing a property in Cleveland, or closing a commercial deal in Cincinnati, the last thing you want is a surprise after the papers are signed. That's where a title company comes in — and …
If you have started house hunting in Ohio recently, you may have noticed something new: your agent asked you to sign a written agreement before showing you a single property. That is not a coincidence - it is one of several lasting changes triggered by a landmark national settlement that continues to reshape how real …
In any Ohio real estate or business transaction, trust matters—but trust alone is not enough when money, property, and legal documents are on the line. Escrow provides a secure way to hold funds and paperwork until every condition is met, helping buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, and business owners move forward with confidence. Let's break it …
Buying a home in an HOA community comes with a set of rules that go far beyond what's listed on the MLS. For Ohio buyers, real estate agents, loan officers, and business owners, understanding those restrictions before closing isn't just smart — it's essential. Missing key HOA details can derail a deal, create financing headaches, or leave a new homeowner surprised by rules …
A property selling for a fraction of its market value sounds like a dream deal. And sometimes, it is. But Ohio sheriff's sales come with a specific set of rules, risks, and rewards that every buyer needs to understand before raising a paddle — or clicking a bid. Whether you're a first-time investor, a seasoned real estate …