TITLE TIP # 5 DON'T GAMBLE WITH THE TITLE TO YOUR PROPERTY

TITLE TIP #5
Accepting a quit claim deed for real property is for gamblers.
Don’t take chances with your real estate investments.
Let me tell you why -
True life example:
A few years ago a Doctor came to us to insure and close on a property he just sold.
That property was given to him via Quit Claim deed from a patient who owed him a lot of Money.
The Doctor thought it was a good deal and rented out the house.
After a few years the Doctor decided to retire, sell the property as part of his retirement.
He found a ready, willing and able buyer.
We searched the title to his Quit Claimed rental and discovered there were more liens against the property than the property was worth!
When he accepted the Quit claim deed he also accepted all of the encumbrances and debt against the property!
The lesson is:
Always have the title to a property examined before you take title.
Insure the title.
Never accept a Quit Claim Deed - what you get may be more than you see!

GATEWAY TITLE TIP #4 - SMILE PRETTY!

When you are signing final mortgage documents, don't forget: You must bring with you, picture identification (valid driver’s license).
We have to copy this for our file.
This identification is required for closing on real estate. Oh, I know you hate that picture, Just about everyone hates that picture! :)

GATEWAY TITLE TIP #3..... WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Gateway Title - The FSBO Specialists #3 TITLE TIP: Debbie... Deborah.... Deb...Debra....Debbie K....Deborah Kay? Be careful to always sign all papers the same way in a real estate transaction. With or without your middle name, middle initial? Be consistant with what ever you call your "legal" name and avoid problems in closing!
How many identities do you have?

Gateway Title " Staging With Suzy" Seminar A Success!

Sitting in a class room at 9:30 on a sunny Saturday morning is probably not your idea of fun.For seven savvy sellers of beautiful local properties,it was exactly where they wanted to be. They attended "Staging With Suzy" (Suzanne Torchia Anton, REALTOR from the Realty Store).
Suzy told them like it is and showed many examples of before/after.Her tips were great! It was so interesting. I wish all sellers would get this and apply the information and "stage" their homes for sale. The whole presentation made a lot of sense.
To understand the difference between decorating and staging is so important in marketing a home.
I learned a lot and see it as: "decorating" is for the owners and "staging" is for the buyers!
How do you define it?

TITLE TIP #2 - HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON CLOSING COSTS!

TITLE TIP #2: Sellers, would you like to know one way to save $$ on closing costs?
If you owned the property you are selling for less than 10 years, You are probably entitled to a reissue rate discount on new title insurance costs. Find your old closing HUD statement or Title insurance policy and ask the title company to check for and credit you reissue discount savings at closing. Test the integrity of a title company. Do they tell you about this savings up front? Most don't tell you because they make less money. You are entitled.

GATEWAY TITLE TIP #1

Title Tip #1: Choose your own title company. Don’t let agents or lenders steer you to their “in house” title agency. Closings and title insurance are to be handled by a disinterested third party.
How can an “in house” title agency be neutral when it comes to a closing? RESPA states consumer’s rights, and no where does it give agents or banks the right to make that choice for you.
They must disclose relationships and respect your right to choose.
You pay for your title and escrow service. You pay...you pick!
www.realestateactuality.blogspot.com

"CUSTOMER SERVICE" ? Gateway Debbie Vents!

CUSTOMER SERVICE?!?!?!?!?
The internet is a wonderful thing. You can find anything you could possibly ever want or need. It’s a great tool for businesses to reach their customers, HOWEVER……..
I recently had an experience that really took the cake. The Boss asked me to find a new place we could buy the photo holders that we give to our customers, unfortunately the previous place has gone out of business. We buy a case at a time.
I called the manufacturer and they gave me the name and phone number of a place close to us, so what did I do then, of course?
I Googled them.
I went to their website and they did have just what we needed. So, I called them. I needed to know the price of the product we were interested in purchasing and maybe an alternative.
When I called I got a recording telling me what number to push for whatever department I needed- this was easy enough, so far, so good. My call was answered promptly and I explained (in great detail) my dilemma. I was told I HAD to sign up online to receive any pricing information. Let me repeat that. I was speaking to a”CUSTOMER SERVICE REP” asking, nay almost pleading to spend money with this company and I was told that she “could not help me over the phone and I had to go back to the website and register”. I saw this feature on the site when I was there the first time- The process takes up to 24 HOURS. This “Customer Service Rep” had me on the phone wanting to buy her products and I was shooed back to the website- WOW!
If I didn’t want to talk to an actual person- I wouldn’t have called.
Have we forgotten how to speak to one another??? I cannot imagine if Rachel aka “The Boss” heard anyone of us telling a customer “I can’t help you, you need to go to our website.” They wouldn’t be employed here long enough to hang up the phone.- Thank Heavens!