Real Estate
First-Time Homebuyer Credit – Extended Deadline
New legislation, the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which was signed into law on Nov. 6, 2009, extends and expands the first-time homebuyer credit allowed by previous Acts.
Title insurance offers post-purchase protection
Experts say one of the best ways new home buyers can protect their investment is with the title insurance. That's because defects in the title of the property can cause loss of all or part of the investment in your home. Title insurance is the only protection against that risk.
Title Insurance Order and Information Sheet
Our firm's Title Insurance Order and Information Sheet has been created to assist us in gathering all the essential information needed to complete a Title Insurance Application for our client. Please do not spend an inordinate amount of time gathering the information requested on the form. However, we have found that having this data available at an initial attorney/client meeting will aid both you and our firm in focusing on title insurance issues specific to your situation.
If you have any questions about the form, please call our office; otherwise, please complete as much of it as possible and return it to us either by fax or regular mail. We look forward to assisting you with your title insurance needs.
Download the Title Insurance Order and Information Sheet
Title Insurance Rates and Fee Schedule
Download the Title Insurance Rates and Fee Schedule
It's the Law: Attorney or title company for closing?
In Florida, both title companies and attorneys may issue title insurance. Since most policies are issued at rates promulgated by the Department of Insurance, title insurance obtained from an attorney is priced the same as title insurance from a title company. In many cases, title insurance through an attorney is underwritten by the same underwriting company as would be obtained through a title company.Q: I plan on selling my lot and buying a condominium on Marco Island. What would be the difference in using an attorney or title company for my closing?
Deducting Refinancing Costs
Low interest rates have motivated many homeowners to refinance their mortgages over the past couple of years. Falling rates have allowed borrowers either to lower their monthly payments significantly, or to obtain funds through ?cash outs? while keeping their payments relatively level. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reminded taxpayers who took advantage of this year's low interest rates to refinance their mortgages that they may be eligible to deduct some costs associated with their loans.
Fund and Old Republic Joint Venture
Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc. and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company have formed a joint venture called Attorneys’ Title Fund Services, LLC, and known as THE FUND, to provide the same service, technology, education, marketing support, and underwriting to Florida real estate attorneys that THE FUND has in the past. Except for acting as the insurer, a role that will now be undertaken by Old Republic, the new company, jointly owned by THE FUND and Old Republic, will perform the same services that it has been performing for its member agents for 60 years.
Mortgage Workouts
There is tax relief for struggling homeowners. If your mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven at any time during 2007 through 2012, you may be able to claim special tax relief on your federal income tax return for that year.
New Home Sales on the Rise
WASHINGTON — New home sales in June posted the fastest increase in more than eight years as buyers took advantage of bargain prices, low interest rates and a federal tax credit for first-time homeowners. While home prices are still falling, the figures released Monday were another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back. Earlier this month, the government reported that new home construction rose to the highest level since last fall. And data out last week showed home resales rose almost 4 percent in June, the third straight monthly increase.
$8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
The benefits of buying a home just got better, especially for first-time homebuyers. Why? Because Uncle Sam is going to give them more bang for their bucks, according to the Tallahassee Board of Realtors.
$1.5 million Awarded for Leon County Housing Assistance
A grant of $1.5 million from the state has been awarded to Leon County Health and Human Services by the Florida Housing Trust Fund to provide for two Leon County housing programs: a Foreclosure- Prevention Assistance Program and a First-Time Homebuyer Down-Payment Assistance Program.
