Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Federal Government Deems Title Insurance Too Costly

During the latter part of 2007, the United States Government – through the Accountability Office – spent a great deal of time and energy examining the title insurance industry. Unfortunately, with this close examination was completed, the government determined without a doubt that the title insurance industry had serious problems and defects that were effecting consumers in a negative manner. Most particularly, this in depth governmental examination revealed that the cost of title insurance premiums were far higher than the needed to be in this day and age.

In issuing its important report, the U.S. Government Accountability Office made four specific and very troublesome findings about the title insurance industry:

• There isn’t much competition in the business, suggesting that prices could be too high.

• Local title agents keep up to 90 percent of the premiums paid by homebuyers and refinancers at closing and only about 5 percent is paid out in claims.

• Besides charging what appears to be an inflated amount for the title insurance, many title agents also tack on extra charges for research fees, analysis and a variety of administrative charges.

• Affiliated business arrangements lock out lower-cost competitors and provide incentive for real estate practitioners to steer customers to title companies in which they have a financial stake.

Even though the results of this particular study and report can be considered grim, consumers are not helpless when it comes to title insurance in this day and age. Consumers simply do not have to accept the status quo.

The first step that consumers can take to protect themselves against bad deals and related problems when it comes to title insurance is to educated themselves. In this regard, consumers should make use of a website like http://freetitlequote.com/, a website which provides a vast array of useful resources when it comes to the area of title insurance.

Second, consumers need to take the time to shop around for different premium quotes from different title insurance companies. Long gone are the days when consumers can simply and intelligently accept recommendations from individuals that are involved in a particular real estate transaction. The fact is that real estate agents, real estate brokers, mortgage lenders and mortgage brokers oftentimes have a clearly vested interest in recommending a particular title insurance company. And, that vested interest has nothing to do with the best interests of the consumer in need of title insurance.

With this in mind, a consumer can also utilize the resources at http://freetitlequote.com/ to obtain up to five quotes from different title insurance companies. Moreover, obtaining these quotes will take only a matter of minutes.

Third, when it comes to ensuring that a consumer really does get the best deal on the costs associated with title insurance, it is crucial that the consumer begin looking at different title insurance company and policy options very early on. This is not something that can be rushed and saved for the last minute if a consumer really is intent on getting the best deal when it comes to title insurance.

Title Insurance: What Your Real Estate Broker May Not Tell You ...

If you are on the market for a new home for yourself and your family, you may have elected to engage the services of a real estate broker. Indeed, on many levels, making use of the services of a real estate broker is solid plan of action.

In the end, a qualified real estate broker can provide you with a wide range of assistance and services. A real estate broker can make the whole process of finding the home of your dreams far, far easier. This particularly is the case when you are dealing with a volatile real estate market such as exists today.

However, you need to keep well in mind that there are some limitations as to what you tasks you should rely on your real estate broker to assist you with, to complete. The reality is that no matter how qualified, experienced and helpful your real estate broker may seem to be on so many levels, there is at least one aspect of a real estate transaction concerning which you must not solely rely upon your real estate broker for advice and assistance.

When it comes to finding a title insurance, you simply cannot follow the lead of your real estate broker without first undertaken an independent course of investigation, research and education. While it is not the intent of this post to paint real estate brokers as dishonest when it comes to title insurance, it is hardly uncommon for the typical real estate broker (or agent for that matter) to fail to fully disclose to a consumer the connections he or she may have with a particular title insurance company or title insurance agent.

In this day and age, title insurance companies and title insurance agencies take great pains to cultivate close relationships with real estate agents and real estate brokers. While the code of conduct or professional responsibility for real estate brokers and agents does limit what they can and cannot accept in the way of gifts and renumeration in some instances, the door is fairly wide open as to what title insurance companies and agencies can to today to cultivate the favor of and referrals from these types of real estate professionals. The reality is that in some jurisdictions real estate professionals actually can receive some sort of direct benefit each and every time they refer a consumer to a particular title insurance company or agency.

In the vast majority of cases, home buyers simply do not bother to question a recommendation from a real estate professional about a particular title insurance company. While it is regrettable to have to make such a strong statement, in many instances when it comes to title insurance consumers are led around by their noses by real estate professionals. These home buyers simply do whatever the real estate professional tells them to do.

In the end, this may not be a wise course not in the best interest of a consumer simply because in many cases the real estate professional will have a vested interest in making a referral to a particular title insurance company even if that company does not have the best policy and premium options for the home buyer.

If you desire more information about your title insurance options, and if you want to obtain a reliable title insurance quote, you will want to spend some time at http://freetitlequote.com/.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Insurance Fraud Epidemic Extends to Title Insurance Industry

Insurance fraud has reached epidemic proportions in the United States in this day and age. Indeed, experts estimate that insurance fraud overall costs the typical family in the United States nearly $1,500.00 on an annual basis. Of course, the most common types of insurance fraud involve automobile, health and life insurance. However, in recent times, fraud in the title insurance industry is also becoming a more common problems.

Because fraud is becoming even more commonplace in the title insurance industry, these incidents of criminality are costing consumers seeking this type of coverage more and more money all of the time, with each passing year.

For example, this week in the State of Florida, a remarkable 62 people were arrested in a large scale insurance fraud conspiracy. The men and women arrested in this scheme are believed to have cost consumers millions of dollars. Indeed, one married couple involved in this conspiracy were said to have defrauded consumers of more that $7 million.

There are a number of different types of fraud schemes that are infecting the title insurance industry today. For example, there are fly by night operators that have set up fraudulent entities that are not true title insurance agencies. These sham enterprises entice people to pay over what they believe to be premium payments for title insurance when the money really is not going to obtain such a policy. The sham operators merely pocket the cash and head off into the night.

In a similar vein, there unfortunately are some title insurance agents who actually misappropriate a consumer's premium payment for their own use. In the end, the consumer ends up unprotected without title insurance and the agent ends up converting premium payments for his or her own use.

Understanding that fraud is now infecting the title insurance industry, there are some specific tips that you need to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing title insurance in this day and age.

First, you need to make certain that you connect only with a reputable and reliable title insurance company.

Second, along the same lines, you need to make certain that you utilize only the services of a qualfied, experienced and reputable title insurance agent.

Third, in order to find out all the information you need to identify and then utilize a reputable title insurance company, agency or agent, you will want to utilize the resources to be found at http://freetitlequote.com/. This site can provide for you all of the information that you will need in regard to title insurance, including quotes and price comparisons.

Fourth, your real estate agent or broker can also provide you some basic information about a title insurance company and title insurance agent that can best meet your needs – and that have reputations for reliability, honesty and trustworthiness.

By paying attention to these pointers, you will be able to avoid the trauma that many consumers have faced when it comes to fraudulent practices in the title insurance industry today

Friday, February 22, 2008

Title Insurance Fundamentals for the First Time Home Buyer

If you are on the road towards purchasing a home for the first time, you are heading into one of the most exciting experiences of your life. Despite how thrilling buying your first home can be, there is also serious work to be done. In this regard, once you sign that grand contract for the purchase of your first home, the home of your dreams, you have a long list of tasks that you must accomplish. Included on that list will be the purchase of title insurance.

In regard to the task of finding the best title insurance for the most reasonable premium cost, you actually will want to spend some time shopping around for the best policy. However, before you undertake the process of looking for title insurance, you need to make sure that you do understand the basics of title insurance.

Title insurance actually is somewhat of a rare bird in the insurance industry. Generally speaking, other types of insurance are designed to protect you against future risks. For example, when you purchase health insurance, it is designed to provide you with appropriate coverage for your health and medical needs in the future. Likewise, life insurance is designed to provide benefits to loved ones upon the occasion of the death of an insured at a future date. Title insurance by design protects you against problems that have occurred in the past.

When you make application for title insurance, as part of the underwriting process, the title insurance company (or agent as directed) undertakes a title search. Through the title search, the title insurance company investigates the deed associated with the real estate in question to make sure there are no liens or other encumbrances attached to the deed or title. If these conditions or problems exist, the title insurance company (or agent) will report back to the parties to the real estate transaction. The closing will not be able to occur in most instances until these title defects are cleared up and resolved.

Beyond the closing date, the title insurance company maintains an obligation to the purchaser of real estate (and to that person's heirs in many instances). Into the future, the title insurance company is obliged to protect the insured real estate owner (or mortgage lender) against any losses that may result from an undiscovered defect to the title to the real estate, against losses that might arise from any lien, encumbrance or other defect to the title that might rear its head at a later date.

Claims made on title insurance policies actually are rather rare. The majority of claims involve unpaid property taxes that for one reason or another simply were not discovered by the title insurance company, title insurance agent or anyone else for that matter prior to the closing date. In other words, the majority of claims made on a title insurance policy normally are matters that – once discovered – are fairly easy to rectify.

A primary informational resource about title insurance, including reliable quotes, is .http://freetitlequote.com/

Purchasing Title Insurance: Get Independent Advice

If you have just signed the contract for the purchase of the home of your dreams. Obviously, you do have many loose ends to tie up before you reach the date on which you will close on the contract for sale. One of the items that needs to be on the top of your list during the period of time from the signing of the contract for sale and the closing is the purchase of title insurance. With this in mind, there are a number of factors that you need to bear in mind when it comes to purchasing title insurance in this day and age.

One of the principles that you do need to keep in mind when it comes to buying title insurance in this day and age is the importance of getting independent advice when it comes to this type of coverage. There are a number of reasons why it is important to get independent advice, to undertake independent research when it comes to title insurance.

First, unfortunately most individuals in need of title insurance simply follow the advice of their real estate agent or broker, home mortgage lender or some other professional tied directly to the real estate industry. There professionals nearly always have developed some sort of strategic relationship of partnership with a title insurance company or agency. In short, these professionals have a vested interest in referring you to one particular company.

Second, when it comes to buying title insurance, you cannot fall into the trap of believing that all title insurance policies are the same and that all title insurance premiums cost the same. The reality that there are some significant differences in the premiums charged from one title insurance company to another. However, and again, without seeking independent advice from someone not directly tied to your real estate transaction you will not have access to appropriate information in many instances about different title insurance policy and premium options that are available to you.

Third, understanding that you do not have an unlimited amount of time when it comes to obtaining independent advice or information about title insurance, you will want to take advantage of an online resourced like http://freetitlequote.com/. Through this site you aill be able to obtain information about different title insurance options. You will also be able to obtain accurate quotes from different title insurance. In this way, you will be able to compare policies and compare premium costs in a matter of minutes and with nothing more than a few clicks of your mouse.

In the end, by taking the time to obtain independent information about title insurance from a resource like http://freetitlequote.com/ you will be able to make informed and intelligent decisions about title insurance. Moreover, you will be able to save money on your title insurance premiums costs as well.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Title Insurance ... Behemoth: Consumers Continue to Overpay for Title Insurance

$16 billion.

When you are confronted with this huge amount of money, what comes to mind? If you think that $16 billion is the amount the Hollywood grosses on major motion pictures each year ... you are incorrect. The reality is that Hollywood flicks are expected to gross about half this amount in the coming year.

The reality is that $16 billion represents the amount of money that consumers in the United States spend on title insurance on an annual basis. The amount people are spending on title insurance actually is expected to climb into the future despite what most experts perceive as a housing slump in many markets that is driving the values of some real estate downward.

The fact is that the cost of title insurance is an expensive item when it comes to the other fees associated with a real estate closing. Of course, the cost of a title insurance premium is connected directly both to the particular real estate market and the value or purchase price of the residence in question. In many locations, it is not beyond imagination for a consumer to pay a couple thousand dollars for a home that is valued in the market's median.

The vast majority of consumers involved in the buying, selling or refinancing of residential real estate (and other types of real estate for that matter) simply do not question the costs associated with title insurance premiums. There is something akin to perhaps what might be called a sheep or even a lemming mentality when it comes to title insurance premiums.

Consumers simply are falling in line with what has always been done when it comes to title insurance and title insurance premiums: they are accepting what is handed to them when it comes to title insurance premiums and fees.

The fact is that in many markets and in many transactions (in the majority of markets and in the majority of transactions), title insurance companies have formed what might best be considered strategic alliances with real estate agents, real estate brokers, mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers and so forth. In short, these relationships prove profitable to these industry professionals who will simply provide a consumer with the name of one title insurance company from which the consumer usually will obtain a policy without question.

What has been an endemic status quo does not have to be maintained in this day and age. It is now very easy for consumers to obtain competitive title insurance quotes through an online resource like http://freetitlequote.com/. Within a matter of a few minutes, a consumer can obtain a number of competitive quotes for title insurance. Thanks to this resource, a consumer can cut the costs associated with a title insurance policy and can obtain precisely the coverage that is necessary for his or her circumstances.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Consumers Enjoy New Access to the Once-Confusing & Closed World of Title Insurance

Tampa, FL – Like the rest of the real estate industry, the title insurance market is also in a major period of transition.

And in this case, transition is a good thing for consumers.

“The truth is that many home buyers and owners don’t or didn’t buy their own title insurance,” says Josh Cahill, President of FreeTitleQuote.com. “Few actually exercise their right to purchase their own title insurance because they believe the process is more complicated than it really is. In reality, though, purchasing it themselves can save them a significant amount of money at closing.”

This property-saving (and perhaps sanity-saving) insurance has until now traditionally been accessible only through the referrals of mortgage and real estate agents. Before the launch of this website, it would have been nearly impossible to “shop around” for different prices on title insurance; now, a number of major, reliable title insurers can be accessed through one site, making it a true one-stop title insurance shop.

“Consumers no longer have to be at the mercy of realtors and mortgage brokers,” Cahill adds. “Now, all they have to do is go to the site and research title insurance rates for themselves.” And on the flip side, title insurers that become members of the FTQ network will enjoy exposure to countless consumers who never before would have been accessible or even thought of us as potential customers.

“Especially in a down market,” Cahill explains, “title insurance companies that join our national network will be receiving title insurance business that simply was unavailable to them in the past.”

Ironically, even homeowners who own title insurance are confused as to what it really is, which may be why so many sellers and buyers end up paying too much for it. Title insurance is meant to protect a lender or owner’s financial interest in property against loss due to liens, title defects or a lawsuit attacking the title as it is insured. In short, title insurance protects both lenders and owners against loss that may incur due to disputes over the ownership of a property.

“When buying a home and/or property, it is important to realize that that property has likely gone through a number of ownership changes,” Cahill went on to say. There is always the possibility that some title transfers were based on forged signatures and other inconsistencies, which is why the protection of title insurance is so important.

“At FreeTitleQuote.com, we are empowering home buyers to take charge of their buying process. People shop around for car insurance and homeowner’s insurance quotes, why shouldn’t they find a good deal on title insurance too?”

About FreeTitleQuote.com:

FreeTitleQuote.com gives customers involved in the home-buying process the ability to request and receive title insurance quotes from a number of major, reliable title insurance providers and, in the process, save money at closing. For more information or to sign up to receive your customized quotes, visit www.FreeTitleQuote.com.

Contact:
Joshua Cahill, President
FreeTitleQuote.com, LLC
1-877-780-8384 Ext. 700

Crucial Tips for Buying Title Insurance

One of the most exciting times in your life is when you are buying a new home. This is true whether you are buying your first home or even a subsequent home purchase a bit later in your life. Of course, no matter how exciting the prospect of owning a new home actually is there is important work that needs to be done. On the top of that list is the purchasing of title insurance. With that in mind, there are some important (indeed, crucial) tips that you should keep in mind when it comes to buying title insurance.

Perhaps the most important pointer to bear in mind when you are in the midst of purchasing a home and are in need of title insurance is to compare prices on the Internet and World Wide Web. The fact is that even when you feel pressed for time as you head towards closing a deal on a new home you can quickly find quotes for title insurance online through a website like http://freetitlequote.com/

Through this particular website you actually will be able to accurately compare the premiums that are being charged by different title insurance companies. You will be able to consider different policies to ascertain which one will make most sense for you and will provide you the coverage you do need at a price that fits within your overall budget.

Along these same lines, the next tip that you will want to keep in mind is that it is vital that you truly do understand what you are buying when it comes to title insurance. In this regard you need to appreciate that there are two general types of title insurance – one kind that protects owners and another that protects lenders. There are some other elements associated with a standard title insurance policy that you will also want to educate yourself about as well. The freetitlequote.com website is an ideal resource for you to obtain more information about both types of title insurance and other matters as well.

Another tip that you will want to bear in mind when it comes to title insurance is that you actually should start looking for title insurance much earlier in the whole home buying process.

If you actually wait until you have signed a contract to purchase a home, you will be feeling the pressure to get many things done related to the closing, including obtaining title insurance. Therefore, you really may not have much time on your hands to shop around for title insurance.

What you really should do is begin shopping around for a title insurance company at the same time you start the process of looking for a home to purchase. By taking this course you will have the best chance of finding the best title insurance for your needs at a price that will be within your own budget.