Many people think that the original recorded deed is necessary for their sale. This document, however, has already been recorded in the Register of Deeds’ Office for the county that your property is in and is not nearly as helpful as their Owners’ Title Insurance Policy.

In searching the title to your home, the buyers’ closing attorney will customarily perform a 30-year search or, in certain circumstances, will “tack on” to an existing Owners’ Title Insurance policy, thus shortening the length of the search from the date of the sellers’ Owners’ policy. This serves two purposes, one benefiting the buyer and one benefiting the seller: (1) the buyers get a reduced, or “re-issue,” rate on the title insurance they must purchase for their lender and for themselves; and (2) the sellers need only to resolve any title issues that have arisen since the date of their Owners’ policy, which is typically the date that they purchased the property, rather than having to resolve any title issues of the last thirty years. This can save you countless time and effort if all it takes is providing a copy of your Owners’ Title Insurance Policy.

Other important documents that might (but may not necessarily) be needed are any existing surveys, cancelled Notes/Deeds of Trust that had been paid off or refinanced while you’ve owned the property, certificates of occupancy for additions/alterations, variances, and any documentation pertaining to approvals sought and granted by the homeowners association for improvements to the property.

A little bit of foresight and preparation while these documents are readily available to you could save you from having to locate documentation or reconstruct a paper trail and, instead put you on the path to a smooth closing.

Cynthia J. Robinson
C.J. Robinson, P.A.
10336 Troutman Road
Midland, NC 28107
(ph) 704-721-0076
(fax) 704-721-0661
(email) cjrobinson@ctc.net

Ask yourself-what attracted me to my current home in the first place?

Whether or not you need schools at the time, schools will continue to play a vital roll in protecting your value and increased desirability.  Award winning schools are the most important consideration.  Great shopping centers create a lifestyle of convenience and social gathering spots.  We are all creatures of convenience and these spots are exactly that.  Whether you want to live in South Charlotte, with such shopping centers as Blakeney or Stone Crest, or up North in Huntersville where you have Birkdale Village these award winning centers are a hub for shopping and enjoyment.  Today’s buyers are focused on a community and neighborhood that offer so many choices.  Country club life style of golf, tennis, and an on site restaurant, having a club house with work out facilities and a lazy river for the family or just a well groomed community play a major roll in the ease of selling your home.

Real Estate is local in nature and not all communities are impacted by “market conditions”.  Even though we face tougher economic times not all communities are declining in value.  Some communities continue to outpace the market because of the factors I’ve listed above.

Want to know more?   Do you have questions as to which communities are the best and which schools have the best ratings?  Think before you purchase and consult your Realtor.

Survey Data Reveals…

Renting is Getting Costlier

In the old days; it was easy to argue that renting was more affordable on a month-to-month basis. In other words, monthly rent payments were often drastically lower than average monthly mortgage payments. That is becoming less and less true. In fact, it’s often possible to get a mortgage with a monthly payment that is significantly lower than the payment that goes along with the typical apartment lease. Renting isn’t always cheaper, and you could save a lot of money by purchasing a home instead.

Interest Rates are at Record Lows

When it comes to buying a home, interest rates have never been lower. In recent months, they have dipped down to record lows. The overall expense of getting a home loan is, therefore, considerably lower than it used to be. The same is true about home refinancing. By refinancing right now, you could secure an exceptionally low interest rate that lowers your monthly payments by a significant margin. The real estate market may not be in great shape, but low interest rates mitigate a lot of that.

Housing Prices couldn’t be Lower

In just about every part of the country, housing prices have dropped precipitously. While that is bad news for the people who currently own those homes, it’s great news for people who are looking to purchase new homes. Prices are expected to drop a little lower too. They aren’t expected to start rising again for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean that you should wait. Thanks to these low prices, you can probably afford a nicer and larger house than you could even a few years ago.

Buying a House is Still a Smart Move

Whether home values remain the same or go up, buying a house is still a very viable option. Unlike renting, you will be investing your money in something that will provide long-term benefits. That is true even if you don’t end up making a lot of money when selling the house at a later date. As a homeowner, you will be able to call all of the shots when it comes to updating and remodeling your home. There is a lot of satisfaction to be had from owning a home, and there has never been a better time to buy.

Incredible low country home situated on a private 2.48 acre cul-de-sac homesite. This 2 story home has a fully finished basement and features 5 large bedrooms and 4.5 baths in over 4800 square feet. A charming wrap-around front porch invites you in to this beatiful home with hardwood floors, fresh paint thoughout and new carpet. Call today for a tour!

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