Real Estate Deeds Made Easy Since 1997 – Deeds.com
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When a person passes away, the death certificate and last will are submitted to the county probate court. A person representative begins the process of passing assets along as the will directs — except when other valid legal instruments have…
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An Opinion of Title: What Home Buyers Should Know
We all need to know if anything could compromise our ownership of property we buy. We rely on title companies to affirm that the seller has the rights to sell. To affirm this, the title company in turn relies on…
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Maintaining Your Home’s Value: Upgrades, Upkeep… And a Few Flourishes
Are you watching the value of your home over time, and seeing your equity rise? Are you planning to have your home appraised so you can set an asking price for it, or borrow against its value? A few simple…
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Applying for a Mortgage? Get the Facts on Credit Scores—and How to Improve Yours
A credit score is part of each home buyer’s whole debt and income picture. Lenders consider it a key factor when deciding to approve a loan application. To put the score in context, a lender’s top questions are: Whether the…
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What to Know Before You Buy a Foreclosed Home
Thinking of buying a foreclosed home? The lower prices for foreclosures among the listings are certainly tempting! Even better, a lower price translates to lower property taxes. But given the potential pitfalls, will the deal be worthwhile? Buyers’ experiences vary…
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Can Filing for Bankruptcy Save a Home From Foreclosure?
It’s not the easiest topic we cover, but we know foreclosure sales will be on the uptrend as the U.S. works for financial recovery from a global public health crisis. Many readers are currently stretched thin by their mortgage obligations…
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You’re Married. You’re Not on the House Title. What Are Your Rights?
If your house is titled in your spouse’s name, what are your rights in the home? The answer depends on several factors, starting with the law and customs of your home state. Let’s take a look.
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How Not to Overpay Your Property Taxes
Homeowners pay taxes on their real estate to fund local services. Renters, too, pay property taxes, as they’re rolled into monthly rent charges. The property taxes we all pay go to sustain libraries and schools, emergency services, environmental projects, sewer…
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Fraud Watch: Real Estate Scams and the Millennial Home Shopper
According to the Federal Trade Commission, tech-savvy folks aged 40 and under are far from immune to scams and frauds. And most scams that hook them begin in an email. And the coronavirus economy is creating even more opportunities for fraud…
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DIY Renovations? Everything You Wanted to Know (or Not) About Permits
Bought a fixer-upper? Sprucing up your house to sell? Yes, a building permit (and the fee that comes with it) might be mandatory for that new fence, deck, or electrical work. Small faucet or disposal fixes, interior painting and minor…
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Inundated: The National Flood Insurance System
A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods, Rachel Carson said. But it’s not the best time to live at the base of a downward slope. And while homes built near water are popular and…
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Black Homeownership and Housing: Amid Persistent Discrimination, New Potential for Change
Home shopping and investment property buying are rapidly joining the digital arena. Can technology offer new models to alleviate bias in lending practices? The expanding property tech trend offers convenience in mortgage and property shopping. It offers effective ways to…
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Your Real Estate Agent’s Fiduciary Duties
How Do Professional Ethics Come Into Play in the Real Estate Deal? When you sign a contract to have an agent represent you in a real estate transaction, your agent agrees to a set of fiduciary duties. Essentially this means…
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Unemployment and the Hopeful Home Buyer
The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 led to a rise in unemployment. Many hopeful home buyers watched the derailing of their plans — if not a full-fledged train wreck. Some have been forced to wait until they’re employed again before applying…
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Hiding in Plain Sight: How to Spot Four Visible Kinds of Home Damage
Subtle signals can point to hidden damage in a house. Finding these indicators early is important. A closer inspection might be necessary, to inform the buyer of possible costs to restore the damaged areas. Whether you’re planning to sell or…