Why Buyers Should Consider the ALTA Homeowner’s Title Policy While many buyers spend a significant amount of time weighing up loans and homeowner’s insurance, few give much thought to the title policy from the title insurance agency. However, the right title policy can provide significant protections up to and beyond closing – and may still […]
Everything You Need to Know About FIRPTA – as a Buyer or Seller
Whether you’re preparing to buy or sell a US property, it’s important to understand your obligations under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). If the seller is considered a “foreign person” (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code), the buyer may be subject to tax withholding obligations under FIRPTA. Importantly, the obligation […]
Tax Sales & Title Insurance in Missouri (County Edition)
August is here, and for many real estate investors in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County and beyond, this means it is time to begin preparing for the annual property tax sale. A tax sale – when the county auctions off real estate parcels with unpaid property taxes (generally three or more years […]
3 Types of Property Surveys
Land surveys are a vital part of real estate due diligence. Lenders and financial institutions do not always require that a survey be prepared in connection with a closing[i], so it is an important consideration for any buyer of real estate. Land surveys can identify common issues such as: Homes built over lot lines or […]
Next Steps for our Region
Here at True Title, we are growing excited at the prospect of the regional re-opening of our area businesses. We continuously evaluate our policies and procedures for closings and our day-to-day operations with the goal of ensuring that our clients and our employees remain safe, secure and healthy. What follows is a brief update of our procedures […]
How to Protect Your Next Real Estate Transaction from Wire Fraud
The Threat Closing day can be exhilarating. It often represents a dream come true — a growing business, a step toward financial independence, or the culmination of years of work. Being part of a closing is one of the joys of working for a title company. Though being at the closing table with everyone is […]
Find Out Before They Sign: Encroachments, Easements, and Licenses
Maybe this has happened to you … You’re in the final stages of putting a deal together, and the surveyor discovers the boundaries of the property are different than the seller believed. Perhaps a neighbor’s shed, or raised-bed garden, has crossed onto the seller’s land. Alternatively, the seller, not understanding the implications, built a structure […]
What Our Top Real Estate Investors Have in Common
7 Keys to Their Success Real estate investors are dreamers. They see potential where others don’t. They see an open door when others would walk away. They take chances and put themselves on the line, believing if they can stay cool, work hard, and keep informed, they’ll win in the end. That said, new investors […]
Tax Sale Season is here! [St. Louis City]
Summertime is upon us, and for many investors, that means tax sale season is here. A tax sale – when the county (or City of St. Louis) auctions real estate parcels with unpaid property taxes – offers the opportunity to acquire a parcel at a price substantially below the value; however, there are many complexities […]
My buyer wants to use Bitcoin – now what?
Cryptocurrency and real estate—hype or opportunity? You’ve probably heard of Bitcoin and the term cryptocurrency. With all the noise surrounding this new form of currency, you may have clients or even colleagues asking you what impact it will have on real estate. Here, we’ll clear up some of the confusion and help you understand what […]
