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Showing posts from June, 2017

How Title Defects & Encumbrances Affect a Title

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When closing on a home at the Lake of the Ozarks , it's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of finalizing the deal and getting moved in. So much so, that many buyers don't even consider the possibilities of the sale not going through or the potential problems that could arise after the sale is final. There are many things on the back end of the real estate process that most buyers and sellers don't see or even consider until there's a problem that needs to be addressed. This week, Arrowhead Title will be discussing title defects and title encumbrances and explain how they affect a title to real property. What is a Title Defect? A title defect is a legal claim or circumstance that hinders the verification of the title and identification of the true owner of a real property. These defects occur usually when the ownership or transfer of ownership is not properly recorded, or where any lien recorded due to an unpaid obligation was not removed on satisfaction of...

7 Tips To Reduce Your Summer Energy Bill

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Summer is supposed to be a time for vacations, barbecuing, swimming, and enjoying all that our beautiful area has to offer. If you're buried under expensive electric bills from keeping your house at a comfortable temperature, however, it can be harder to allocate funds to enjoying your summer activities. Our Lake of the Ozarks title company is here to help you keep energy costs down by identifying a few simple ways you may be able to reduce your summer cooling costs. 1. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans If you haven't already, now is the time to check your ceiling fans to make sure they're rotating in the right direction. During the warm summer months, your fans should be spinning counter-clockwise. This will help it to push the air straight down, which creates a cooling effect. By using your fans to create a refreshing breeze in your home, you may be able to get away with raising the thermostat by a few degrees. 2. Close Off Unused Areas Do you have a guest bedroom th...

7 Characteristics Of A Trustworthy Title Company

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Buying a home requires the full (and careful) integration of many moving parts. The sellers, buyers, lenders, and real estate agents must work together to bring the transaction to a successful resolution. However, these important parties aren't the only ones who will be closely involved in the transaction process. A Lake of the Ozarks title company will also play a crucial role. What Does The Title Company Do? While first-time buyers generally do not understand the role a title company plays as well as they understand lenders' or realtors' responsibilities, that does not mean a title company's role is any less important. Here is a quick look at the types of responsibilities a title company will fulfill during the closing process: Ensuring validity of the title Issuing the title insurance policies Serving as the escrow agent Essentially, it is up to the title company to ensure that the title is real, valid, and eligible for sale, that the buyers' a...

4 Things To Know About Buying Your Dream Home In The Summer

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Summer is without a doubt the most exciting season at the Lake of the Ozarks. The abundant opportunities for fun in the sun attract visitors from all over the Midwest, and the friendly atmosphere inspires many visitors to become permanent members of the Lake community, either on a full- or part-time basis.  Since summer is the most popular time of the year to visit our area, it's a great time to shop for homes at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are among the people thinking about buying a home (or second home) at the Lake this season, Arrowhead Title, Inc. is here to help with this quick information about buying a home in the summer. 1. There Might Be Room To Negotiate. Spring is generally considered the most popular time for sellers to list their homes. If a home was listed in the early spring and is still for sale several months later, the sellers may be willing to negotiate a bit on the price. If saving money is a priority for you, asking your real estate agent to help ...

The First-Time Buyers' Guide To Title Insurance

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Buying your first home is a thrilling - albeit overwhelming - process. Your home is quite possibly the largest investment you'll make in your lifetime, so you'll want to be confident that all aspects of the process are handled correctly. Buying a title insurance policy is an important way to protect your investment. As your trusted Lake of the Ozarks title agency , we're here to help familiarize you with the process. How Title Insurance Works As its name suggests, title insurance insures your title. That is, it insures your right to use and occupy your land, as your title legally allows you to do. Whereas other types of insurance (home, auto, etc) protects against issues that may happen in the future , title insurance guards against issues that may have already occurred  but are yet undiscovered. Examples of these types of issues include: Mistakes in public records Forged or unauthorized signatures in the sale Unpaid liens against the property Unknown easement...