Blog | First Title Company

Selling your house? Here's how to attract buyers

As you prepare your home to go on the market, try to view it through the eyes of a buyer.

How real estate agents can protect clients from vacant land fraud

Fraudsters are pretending to own, and attempting to fraudulently sell, vacant land, costing Americans countle

What to know about residential surveys and title insurance

Surveys are an important part of residential and commercial real estate transactions, both to the parties involved in the transaction and...

Why do I need title insurance on a refinance?

From the lender’s standpoint, a refinanced loan is no different than any other mortgage loan.

Why it pays to use a Realtor – for sellers and buyers

Few people know as much about the trends in today's market as your local real estate agent or broker.

What is escrow? What to know when buying or selling a home

An escrow is an arrangement in which a disinterested third party, called an escrow holder or settlement agent (in this case, First Title...

Why get title insurance on a newly built home?

You might be thinking to yourself: “Why do I need title insurance if I’m the first person to own my home?”

What is a Warranty Deed? And is there more than one kind?

A deed is the legal document that transfers real property from one person to another. Different types of property deeds may be used.

What is title insurance and why do I need it?

Most types of insurance focus on possible future events and charge an annual premium. Flood, home and auto insurance are just a few...

What does title insurance protect me from?

There are few things in life more important than protecting your home. The following matters are examples of why you need title...

Understanding the closing disclosure

A Closing Disclosure is a five-page form that provides final details about the mortgage loan you have selected. It includes the loan...

Understanding the HUD-1 Settlement Statement

The Settlement Statement is the financial picture of the closing, used for cash closings, commercial property closings or investment...

What happens after a home purchase contract is signed?

You’ve found a house, or a buyer has found yours, and everyone has agreed on a price. So what happens between now and the time you or...

What does the home loan process entail?

If you are borrowing money from a lender to purchase real estate, you can generally expect to follow these steps as part of the loan...

Understanding the commitment for title insurance

First Title Company begins the process of preparing a Commitment for Title Insurance once we have received an order for title services....

How can home buyers help ensure a smooth closing?

The homebuying process can feel long and complicated if you don’t have the proper tools and resources. Here are some steps to take to...

How can home sellers help ensure a smooth closing?

Selling your home is a lengthy process with various things to consider and tasks to complete. Here are some steps to help ensure selling...

Who generally pays for what in real estate transactions?

When it comes to real estate transactions in Texas, generally the costs are split as shown below. The Buyer: All new loan charges...

How to avoid wire fraud in real estate transactions

Large sums of money change hands in real estate transactions, which can make you a target for wire fraud. Criminals may send emails to...

Understanding Texas homestead exemptions

You may apply for homestead exemptions on your principal residence. Homestead exemptions remove part of your home's value from taxation,...