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Real Estate transactions can be complicated. You need a facilitator to make sure everything goes smoothly. Without the Title Company, it would descend into chaos.
A title officer or settlement agent guides you through the stack of paperwork (hundreds of pages). They ensure every document is signed and notarized correctly, disburse the money to all parties, and record the new deed with your local county government to make your ownership official.
This is another one of our new listings. It is a luxury property in a beautiful neighborhood. I will be conducting an open house here between 1-3 PM on Sunday. It is truly a stunning home with an amazing screened, elevated deck with soaring views over forest and rolling hills. Brookville is close to everything, but still has rural charm.
Come see me at the open house. If interested in seeing the property - call me at 410-271-9499. Have a house similar to this one - let us make it EZ for you to list.
https://www.nestfully.com/homes-for-sale/15421-Rivercrest-Court-Brookeville-MD-20833-438287545
This is one of our new listings that went active this week. I'll be conducting an open house here tomorrow (Saturday) between 1-3 PM. It is an affordable option for anyone looking to locate to Annapolis.
Funny story - I had a neighbor in this subdivision call me yesterday to give me pointers on how to sell it. Very tight-knit community that take pride in their homes.
Come see me. If interested - call me at 410-271-9494. Need help listing your home, we can make that EZ.
https://www.nestfully.com/homes-for-sale/126-Spring-Place-Way-Annapolis-MD-21401-438271446
When people are purchasing or even selling a home, they are often times mystified by the number of hands that are touching the transaction. These can include Local and State Governments, Attorneys, Abstractors, Insurance Companies, Surveyors, Realtors, Lenders, etc. etc. etc. Each comes with their own fees/taxes/commissions that are charged at closing. All of these fees are paid from an Escrow Account.
During the closing process, large sums of money change hands. A title company often serves as the escrow agent. They hold your earnest money deposit, down payment, and lender loan funds in a secure neutral account. They only release those funds to the seller once every contract condition has been met.
Need help in understanding how a real estate transaction works? Let EZ Team be on your side. Call us today - 410-271-9499, and let us demystify the process for you.
Continuing with my Series on the Importance of a Title Company and how they fit into the closing process. Title companies provide peace of mind to both the Buyer and Lender. If there is ever any doubt about ownership, they have you covered.
Issuing Title Insurance (The Safety Net) - Even the most thorough search can't catch hidden issues like forged signatures or unrecorded deeds. That’s where title insurance comes in. Unlike auto or health insurance—which protects against future accidents — title insurance protects against past mistakes that surface after you move in. There are two types:
1) Lender’s Policy: Usually required by your mortgage lender to protect their financial investment in the loan.
2) Owner’s Policy: Optional, but strongly recommended. It covers your equity and legal defense fees if a hidden title issue arises down the road.
One thing to note - Title insurance is paid as a one-time fee at closing, and the policy stays active for as long as you or your heirs own the home.
A big chunk of closing costs in a real estate transaction go to the Title Company. Many Buyers and Sellers that do not have much experience in real estate transactions often do not understand the Title company's role. In my next 4 blogs - I will detail the 4 major roles of a Title Company, and how essential they are to making sure everyone is protected and the transaction goes smoothly.
The first essential role they play is for conducting the Title Search (The Detective Work). Once a purchase contract is signed, the title company digs through decades of public records— deeds, land registries, tax records, court filings, and divorce decrees. They are searching for title defects (often called "clouds on the title"), which can include:
a) Unpaid Liens: Outstanding debts left by previous owners, such as unpaid property taxes, contractor bills, or child support obligations attached to the house.
b) Ownership Disputes: Unknown heirs or long-lost relatives claiming rights to the property.
c) Errors in Public Records: Incorrect names, illegal deeds, or recording mistakes made years ago.
If any issues pop up, the title company works with the seller to clear them before closing so you don't inherit someone else's debt.
It is important that the Title company that is used is thorough in their Title Search. Using the wrong Title company could lead to headaches down the road. At EZ Team, we help our clients sift through different choices and help them make informed decisions services provided. Call us today - 410-271-9499.
Don't Skip the Final Walkthrough!
You’ve survived home searches, bidding wars, mortgage applications, and home inspections. The finish line is in sight, and signing the paperwork feels like a mere formality. But before you pick up the pen at the closing table, there’s one non-negotiable step left: the final walkthrough.
A final walkthrough isn't a secondary home inspection—it's your opportunity to confirm that the property you agreed to buy is in the exact condition you expect before the title officially transfers. Once those papers are signed, any unresolved issues become your financial burden.
What Does the Final Walkthrough Protect?
1. Verification of Agreed-Upon Repairs
If your purchase contract required the seller to complete specific repairs following the home inspection—such as repairing a damaged roof, replacing a faulty water heater, or fixing electrical wiring—the walkthrough is your time to verify the work was completed properly. Always request receipts and invoices from licensed contractors prior to the walkthrough so you know what to double-check.
2. Identifying New Damage
Moving out can be messy. Sellers carrying heavy furniture down narrow stairwells or removing mounted televisions can leave holes in drywall, scraped floors, or broken fixtures. The walkthrough ensures the home hasn't suffered fresh damage between the inspection and the closing date.
3. Ensuring Included Items Are Still There
Contracts explicitly state which items convey with the home—such as custom blinds, light fixtures, washer/dryer units, or kitchen appliances. Walking through the home ensures the sellers haven't accidentally (or intentionally) packed away items that were legally sold with the property.
4. Verifying Vacant, Clean Condition
Most purchase agreements require the house to be delivered "broom-clean" and cleared of all personal belongings. The walkthrough verifies that the previous owners haven't left behind old paint cans, bulk trash in the garage, or unwanted furniture that you'll have to pay to dispose of.
Essential Walkthrough Checklist
Bring a phone charger (to test electrical outlets), your contract, and a notepad. Run through this system check room-by-room:
Plumbing: Run every sink, flush all toilets, and check under cabinets for active leaks or water damage.
HVAC Systems: Turn on both the heating and air conditioning to ensure the thermostat and climate controls operate as expected.
Appliances: Run a quick cycle on the dishwasher, test stove burners, and check that the refrigerator and freezer are cold.
Doors & Windows: Open and close all windows, locks, and interior/exterior doors to ensure smooth operation.
Electrical Outlets & Fixtures: Flip all light switches on and off; plug your charger into outlets to confirm power flow.
Grounds & Exterior: Check gutters, garage door openers, and ensure outdoor landscaping matches contract terms.
What Happens If You Find an Issue?
Discovering a problem doesn't mean the deal falls through. If you find an issue—like an uncompleted repair or a newly broken appliance—EZ Team can present solutions to the seller’s agent before closing:
Closing Delay: Requesting a brief delay until the seller fixes the issue.
Escrow Holdback: Holding a portion of the seller's proceeds in escrow until the repair is completed post-closing.
Seller Credit: Negotiating a financial credit at closing to cover the cost for you to hire your own contractor after moving in.
Treat the final walkthrough as your last leverage point. Taking 30 to 60 minutes to inspect every corner gives you complete peace of mind when you finally receive the keys to your new home.
Need expert advice? Call EZ TEAM today - 410-271-9499. From start to finish - we are there for you.
One mistake that is made by both Buyers and Sellers of real estate is to underestimate closing costs. These must be taken into account - along with your overall budget - BEFORE selling or purchasing a home.
Demystifying Closing Costs: What Every Buyer and Seller Needs to Know
Navigating a real estate transaction is an exciting milestone, but the final financial stretch can leave both buyers and sellers scratching their heads. Enter closing costs: the collection of fees, taxes, and administrative expenses required to finalize a property sale.
Whether you are purchasing your first home or selling a property, understanding who pays what ensures there are no surprises when you sign on the dotted line.
What Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs cover the services required to transfer ownership of a property legally and securely. They include everything from lender processing fees and title insurance to state transfer taxes and real estate commissions.
Closing Costs at a Glance
| Role | Typical Percentage | Estimated Cost ($400k Home) | Paid Out Of... |
| Buyer | 2% – 5% of loan amount | $8,000 – $20,000 | Out-of-pocket cash at closing |
| Seller | 6% – 10% of sale price | $24,000 – $40,000 | Deducted from home sale proceeds |
The other day, we were helping our client with a Home Inspection before purchase. We always recommend to our Buyer clients that they get at least a Structural Inspection. While an Inspection report by a home inspector contains a lot of information on the home's condition, it is sometimes hard to discern what to prioritize when asking a seller for repairs. One thing that seems to get ignored, but has a great impact on the home is both over hanging trees and trees that are in close proximity to the house. Most Inspectors will recommend overhanging trees to be trimmed. As for trees and vegetation close to the house? It should at least be pruned away from the house. The importance of doing this cannot be understated. Ignoring this could put your home in danger of insect intrusion, foundation cracks, roof damage, or worse.
If you need someone to help guide you through the ins and outs of the home buying process, let EZ Team show you the way. We make it EZ! Call us today - 410-271-9499.
https://www.nachi.org/tree-dangers.htm
It's tasteless, odorless, colorless - and it may be linked to Lung Cancer. Radon. A gas that builds up in the lower levels of a home, and could cause long-term health issues.
Many of our buyer clients wonder if they should go through the expense of a Radon test when purchasing a home. Unless there is active radon mitigation in place (e.g. basement fan and vent), I always recommend a Radon test. While there is no understanding of how much Radon is acceptable - the less the better.
When purchasing a home, you must understand the risks - they can be financial or health related. An advisor like EZ Team can help you identify the risks and reduce them when possible. Understanding the risks going into such a major purchase is essential.
Do you need some help in understanding your risk tolerances? Let EZ Team be your guide. Call us today. 410-271-9499
https://www.cdc.gov/radon/about/index.html
