Arrowhead Title, Inc.

Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in most homeowners’ lives, and the last thing you want to think about is cyber security.  But when you consider how much personal and financial information you share in the process of the transaction, and the amount of money being transferred, cyber security needs to be top of mind … especially when choosing a title company at the Lake of the Ozarks . For years, title companies have been responding to consumer demands for easier, faster, less cumbersome transactions.   With technology, we can communicate faster, have fewer human errors and move towards paperless closings including the use of E-closings and online notarization. But these conveniences come with certain risks due to the sensitive information that is shared digitally.   In fact, wire fraud and other email hacking schemes seem to be the biggest threats in real estate transactions today. Identity theft. How does home title fraud work?   One wa...

While homebuyers range in age from early twenties to seventies, eighties, and above, Millennials are slowly but steadily beginning to dominate the housing market. After years of renting and/or living with their parents, many Millennials are preparing to make the leap into homeownership. If you are one of the young adults getting ready to buy your first home at the Lake of the Ozarks , Arrowhead Title, Inc. is here to help you prepare. Keep reading to find a quick overview of some basic facts you should be aware of as you move forward. You're Paying A Mortgage Either Way If you're like most millennials, one of the primary reasons you've waited to buy your first house is because you assume that you won't be able to afford a mortgage. However, the truth is that owning a house can be just as affordable as renting one. When you rent, your rent check goes to pay your landlord's mortgage (as well as enough extra to cover repairs and for your landlord to make a profi...

Slowly but surely, America is climbing out of the worst economic downturn we've seen since the Great Depression. Almost ten years after the housing crash in 2008, we're seeing signs of a brighter future on the economic horizon. One of the most promising signs is that the Federal Reserve finally delivered the promised interest rate hike at the end of 2016. This is definitely good news for our economy overall, but it can have a significant impact on prospective homebuyers. Arrowhead Title, Inc. is here to help you understand how these rising interest rates may impact homebuyers at the Lake. The Federal Reserve's Key Interest Rate The Federal Reserve has only raised the key interest rate twice since 2006. The first hike occurred in December of 2015. They projected rates to rise four more times throughout 2016, but the next increase did not occur until just last month (December of 2016).  During the housing crash of 2008, the Federal Reserve slashed the key interest r...

At Arrowhead Title, Inc. , we believe that you get out of the world what you put into it. The beginning of a new year offers a chance to start fresh and embrace new possibilities, and we want to be sure to start this new year on a positive note. That's why we're using this week's blog to express our gratitude for several of the things that have blessed us throughout the years. Consider this our way of sending a little bit of gratitude and positivity into the world. Our Community There are a lot of places to live and work in this country. Each area offers its own unique benefits, but the Lake of the Ozarks is a particularly rich community that has stolen our hearts completely. We are blessed to be a part of such a generous community that gives so much to those in need. We love living and working in a place that morphs from a quiet small town in the winter to a bustling tourist destination in the summer. Through our close involvement with Ozark Coast Kiwanis, we take e...

Whether it's your first, second, or even third home, the decision to take the plunge and buy a new home is usually a little intimidating. As the homeowner, you will be responsible for keeping up with the mortgage payments and all the other expenses associated with running a household (insurance, utilities, taxes, etc). However, when you time your home purchase correctly, balancing all of these financial responsibilities becomes more manageable. Keep reading to learn why this winter might be the perfect time for you to buy a house at the Lake of the Ozarks . 1. Interest Rates Are Rising (But Still Low) Interest rates have a huge impact on the affordability of mortgage loans. According to a survey by Freddie Mac , the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is currently 4.13%. This time last year, the average rate was 3.95%. Rates are beginning to rise more swiftly, however; the average rate was 4.08% just one week ago. While these numbers are still remarkably lo...

The decision to sell your home is a big one that should not be taken lightly. Your home is likely your greatest financial asset, and you'll want to be confident that you are maximizing your investment. Under the right circumstances, selling your home can be a great way to improve your financial situation. In order for this to happen, two primary conditions need to be met: The market should to be in a favorable position for sellers - that is, there should be an abundance of interested buyers. All potential issues that may hinder the sale of your home should be addressed before it is listed. Our Lake of the Ozarks title company is here to help you maximize your investment by ensuring that these conditions are met before you sell your home. Getting The Market In A Favorable Position Let's cut to the chase. As a homeowner, there is little you can do to impact the condition of the housing market. However, you can (in many situations) choose when to sell based on t...

You've been thinking about buying a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks , but when exactly is the right time to take the plunge? It can be hard to predict exactly when the right moment is for you, but market trends indicate that if you've been thinking about buying a new home soon, buying before fall may be a smart idea. Our Lake of the Ozarks title company is here to help you explore the possibilities. 1. Less Competition As we move into late summer, the initial craze of buying a home in the summer is wearing off. Many people who planned to buy this summer have already found their chosen properties, and those that haven't may be getting tired of the search and opting for a break. By jumping into the market now, you may be able to find a great home without having to battle such steep competition. 2. Increased Stability For The Kids Even if you stay in the same area, moving to a new home can be hard on young children - especially during the school year. They will ha...

Buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks comes with a lot of associated expenses. Insurance, appraisal and inspection fees, and closing costs can add up quickly in the beginning. Even after you have closed on your new home, you'll have to shoulder the financial responsibilities of your new mortgage payment, utilities, any necessary repairs/maintenance.  Faced with so many expenses, many homebuyers (understandably) want to cut costs wherever possible by skipping any expenses that aren't mandatory. An example of one such elected cost that homebuyers sometimes want to eliminate is the owner's title policy. However, skipping this purchase can be prove disastrous down the road. Keep reading to find out why you should consider buying an owner's title policy at the Lake of the Ozarks . Owner's Title Policy vs Lender's Title Policy There are two primary types of title policies: owner's policies and lender's policies. A lender's title policy protects...

Last week, we talked about the fantastic benefits that living at the Lake of the Ozarks offers . As we mentioned, being able to access to the water year-round is one of the primary perks Lake residents get to enjoy. Even if you've been able to enjoy the water all year, however, you're still probably super excited that the weather is warming up and you'll finally get to enjoy some hot summer boat rides again. If you're gearing up for another great season on the water, the team at Arrowhead Title, Inc. is here to provide you with all the details on a specific event you won't want to miss! Photo Credit: FunLake.com LOMDA Spring In-Water Boat Show - Event Details DATES:   Friday-Sunday, April 15th-17th, 2016 LOCATION:   Dog Days Bar & Grill ADMISSION:   $6 for adults, FREE for kids ages 12 and under SHOW HOURS: Friday: 1pm-7pm Saturday: 10am-7pm Sunday: 10am-4pm Photo Credit:  FunLake.com In addition to being a great time for the whole fam...

Spring is in the air! After a long winter, many people who have been thinking about selling their homes will finally take the plunge. Spring can be a great time to sell your house, but there are several steps that must be taken in order to sell quickly. Deep cleaning your home is one of the most important steps.  Spring is a popular time for many homeowners to tackle the disorganization and layers of dust that may have built up over the winter and the rest of the preceding year, but this process is especially critical for sellers. To help make the job easier, Arrowhead Title, Inc. has compiled a spring cleaning checklist for you. While you can certainly add to this list, completing these tasks at a minimum will help you set yourself up for a successful (and hopefully speedy) sale. Spring Cleaning Checklist - CLEANING Kitchen Wipe down all the counters Clean the oven and stove Sweep and mop the floors Wipe down the front of the refrigerator and ...

What are your plans for 2016? If you are planning to relocate for work, move out on your own for the first time, or switch residences to accommodate a growing family, you'll be faced with an important decision: should you buy or rent your next home? If you are leaning towards renting, you may wish to reconsider. Here are six reasons why Arrowhead Title, Inc. thinks you may be better off buying a home of your own. 1. You Can Avoid Rising Rent Costs Rent costs have been steadily rising over the last several year, and experts expect that they will increase significantly again in 2016. If you get a fixed-rate mortgage, you don't ever have to worry about your payments increasing. Being able to count on your mortgage payment greatly reduces stress and makes it easier to plan your budget. 2. You Can Design Your Own Space As a renter, you are limited as to what you can do to your home. You have to get your landlord's approval before you can repaint, remodel, or perform ...