This excellent article from Bankrate.com explains title insurance and how it works for you.
Category Archives: Reference Desk
Shadow Inventory Stepping into the Light
October 1, 2010 – 1:30 am
John Burns takes a closer look at “shadow inventory markets” and offers a free U.S. housing forecast.
Why Sellers Should NOT Mention Their New Paint Job: The Psychology of Real Estate
August 30, 2010 – 7:29 pm
Scientists are finding that psychology-everything from how a buyer perceives his agent to how a seller prices her home-plays an unexpectedly large role in a real estate transaction.
The Best Way to Insure Your Valuables
August 1, 2010 – 2:59 pm
This NY Times article takes a closer look at how best to insure your valuables.
Dream Remodel, Real-Life Budget
July 1, 2010 – 12:01 am
You don’t have to give up your big remodeling plans because of a small budget.
Weighing the Value of a Home Security System
June 1, 2010 – 4:25 pm
People may be surprised to learn that when they most need their security system to protect their house, they oftentimes cannot rely on it. Jackie Ostrander discovered that when a storm knocked out power to her home in Greenwich, Conn., for a week in March — too long for her backup battery to keep going. [...]
Can’t Buy Flood Insurance Right Now?
May 1, 2010 – 3:53 pm
Have you tried to get flood insurance lately?
If so, you were probably told by your insurance agent or the government that the insurance isn’t currently available. The reason: When Congress went into recess at the end of March, it failed to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program. It expired on March 28.
Is Green Insurance Worth the Price?
April 1, 2010 – 9:58 am
Insurers are increasingly offering insurance discounts if you already own an environmentally friendly home or car as well as additions to standard policies that cover the costs of going green when renovating after a loss.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, as of last December, 22 companies offered 39 products and services specifically aimed at new [...]
Should You Shop Around for Title Insurance?
March 1, 2010 – 11:36 am
Update:Â New Mexico passed a law last year that allows title companies to compete on price, said Morris J. Chavez, superintendent of Insurance for New Mexico. The superintendent now sets a maximum insurance rate and allows competition under that rate. Before the law went into effect in July, the superintendent set a single rate for all [...]
Tips for Homeowners: How to Budget for Home Maintenance
February 1, 2010 – 11:47 am
It’s important to remind buyers that all homes—old or new—need ongoing maintenance.
First, buyers should understand the 1% rule. This rule postulates that normal maintenance on a home is about 1% of the value of the home per year. For example, a $250,000 home would require $2,500 per year to maintain. This would be enough to [...]
