Colony Title Group, Ltd.

If you’ve just added “homeowner” to your list of titles – including the title insurance you purchased with your new property – chances are, you’re in the process of looking to furnish it.  But between the cost of real estate and inflation of prices in just about every market, outfitting all those big, empty spaces in your new place might seem like a bit of a break-banker, not to mention overwhelming.

You already know that you can’t skimp on title insurance, as it ensures that you won’t get caught in any title claims arising from the unfinished business of any previous owners.  But when it comes to looking for pieces for your home, whether it be furniture, art, accessories, or otherwise, it is certainly possible to scrimp and save.  Below, check out Colony Title’s tips for decorating your digs on a dime at yard and estate sales.

If you’re a sensitive person, it might take you a bit to get over the fact that you’re cashing in on the amazing mid-century modern lamp of a recently deceased person, but the fact of the matter is, second-hand sales are a great way to pick up new-to-you pieces.  Whether you’re looking for gently used contemporary furniture or antique collectibles, there’s usually a smattering of just about everything at yard and estate sales.

For many people, stopping by one of these sales is often a spontaneous matter, decided on a whim based on a sign posted on the side of the road.  But it can be a much more calculated affair: the Internet is a great resource to help you plan a route to several spots.  Whether you download an app on your smart phone or jot down some addresses before leaving the house, getting online is a great way to optimize your time and take advantage of all the deals in your area in one weekend.

Keep in mind these hot items to pick up on the cheap: frames (even if you’re not a fan of the artwork in them), inexpensive wood pieces that can be updated with paint or new hardware, complete china sets that are marked down to seriously satisfying prices, and whatever else catches your eye.  Don’t be afraid to negotiate on cost, either.  Just be sure to ask politely: chances are, the homeowners are looking to get rid of their old items and free up more space, so they’re usually not opposed to haggling price points.

If you’re not into second-hand, don’t forget to shop smartly at furniture stores: check out outlets near you, ask about floor model discounts, and hop on opportunities to purchase non-returnable, close-out items – just be sure to measure your space before you buy.  Check to see if the store offers any financing plans, too, to make the money you’re about to spend a little more manageable to pay off.

Colony Title wants you to make wise decisions when it comes to your home, which is why we wanted to offer up these cost-saving strategies, and to remind you to choose our team of experts to perform a title search on your home: no use making the most out of your money with furniture if you find out after the fact that you owe thousands due to a title claim.

About Colony Title Associates:

Founded in 1995, Colony Title Group handles in excess of 2000 real estate closings per year in the central Maryland area. The founder Tee Tillman has over 23 years experience in the title and real estate law fields. Colony handles closings for several lenders, including banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Colony is the preferred choice for many real estate brokers in the area.

You can also follow Colony Title on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Purchasing your first home comes with a wellspring of emotions: anticipation, excitement, anxiety – and the list goes on. It’s a bigger commitment than buying a car or signing a lease, and certainly doesn’t come with a thirty-day return policy like those shoes you bought at the mall last week.

At Colony Title, we make it our business to make your home buying process less stressful by searching and insuring the title for your new residence, but we’d like to offer a bit of advice about launching your hunt for the perfect place. Follow these guidelines and enter more confidently into the plethora of potential pads waiting to be made into your home.

Enter the World of Online Shopping: With the convenience of one-click purchasing online, it’s easy to forgo shopping malls and individual retailers for the ease of the internet. Shopping for a home is not any different: be sure to peruse those listings, take those virtual tours, and examine those detailed photographs. This is a quick way for potential home buyers to identify what it is they want most in a property in addition to what neighborhoods are suitable to their lifestyle, wants, and needs. Before you even consult with your realtor, you’ll know what you’re looking for, and be able to communicate those desires with her so that she can effectively help you find your dream house.

Be a Visionary: Many first-time home buyers are quickly put off by personal finishes lingering in the space from the current owner. Don’t get tripped up over someone else’s taste. That heinous avocado green bathroom? It can be painted in a day. The classic kitchen cabinets that seem slightly outdated? Pop off the old hardware and replace it with something more modern. The overstuffed sofa that’s shoved against a wall in the large living room? Imagine your couch replacing it, and scooted forward in the room to create a cozy seating arrangement. Don’t be distracted by the interchangeable details: examine the bones of the house and envision your own touches making it a home.

Go with your Gut: When searching for properties, don’t let indecision get the best of you. Many first-time home buyers tour a house, can envision themselves there, and then hold off just in case there’s something better our there. While attempting to track down that hypothetical alternative place, the one that actually suits you is just sitting around and waiting to be bought up by someone else who knows how to act fast when the moment is right. Be bold. Take the plunge.

Get Title Insurance: In the litany of paperwork you’ll sign when closing on a home, don’t toss title insurance to the wayside. In many cases, a title search reveals a past problem with the title that you’re likely to inherit unwittingly without professional guidance. Maybe a previous owner failed to fully pay his taxes, or didn’t compensate a contractor in full after having construction completed on his land. The title professionals at Colony Title will be sure to resolve any of these issues for you before you close, guaranteeing that you don’t have to deal with any headaches as you’re settling in your new home. Title Insurance is a one-time purchase that insures you against most unforeseen title defects for as long as you own the property. It’s a small investment that could save you thousands in the long run, so don’t opt out of a Title Policy. To meet with an associate from Colony Title and start the title search process, please click here to visit our website and find one of our offices near you.

About Colony Title Associates:

Founded in 1995, Colony Title Group handles in excess of 2000 real estate closings per year in the central Maryland area. The founder Tee Tillman has over 23 years experience in the title and real estate law fields. Colony handles closings for several lenders, including banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Colony is the preferred choice for many real estate brokers in the area.

You can also follow Colony Title on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

As anyone knows, home buying can be expensive. First and foremost, there is the cost of the house. But then there are all of the closing costs, as well, including: Title Search, Attorney Fees, Recording Fees, Lender’s Title Insurance, Home Inspection, Home Appraisal, Home Warranties, and much more! So it is no wonder that many home buyers are hesitant to shell out any more money for optional coverages, such as Owner’s Title Insurance.

But according to REALTORs everywhere, Owner’s Title Insurance is a must!

Owner’s Title Insurance is one of the least understood, yet incredibly necessary insurance policies around. If a previous owner perpetrated a fraud, committed a forgery or the clerk of the land records failed to record or recorded incorrectly, the purchaser is unprotected without Owner’s Title Insurance.

The most common causes of title encumbrance include:

• False impersonation of the true owner of the property
• Forged deed, releases or wills
• Undisclosed or missing heirs
• Instruments executed under an invalid or expired power of attorney
• Mistakes in recording legal documents
• Liens for unpaid estate, inheritance, income or gift taxes
• Fraud

With the Owner’s Title Insurance, the title insurance company incurs the expense of determining the validity of a claim and defending against the claim. If there is a title defect, the title insurance company pays the claim so that the purchaser retains ownership without loss, or compensates the owner for any and all losses incurred as a result.

We at Colony Title want to be your Title Company and real estate law firm. For additional information, please contact Tee Tillman at 410.884.1160 ext. 3007 or visit ColonyTitle.com today!

About Colony Title Associates:

Founded in 1995, Colony Title Group handles in excess of 2000 real estate closings per year in the central Maryland area. The founder Tee Tillman has over 23 years experience in the title and real estate law fields. Colony handles closings for several lenders, including banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Colony is the preferred choice for many real estate brokers in the area.

You can also follow Colony Title on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Maintaining good credit is often one important aspect of people’s finances that they completely neglect until it is too late, like when they want to apply for a home mortgage. Did you know that most lenders require a minimum credit score of 680? Do you know what your credit score is?

Disturbing Facts about Credit Scores

• 79% of all credit reports have errors
• 25% of all credit reports have errors large enough to keep you from obtaining credit

Tips for Maintaining Good Credit

1. Occasionally obtain a copy of your credit report and go through it line by line to make sure everything is accurate. If you notice an error in your credit report, notify the credit-reporting agency as soon as possible.
2. Keep your credit card balance at less than 30% of your credit limit.
3. Be sure to pay your bills on time. Even just a few late payments can really damage your credit score.
4. Avoid going to a collection agency at all costs. If you are contacted by the collection agency, you have 30 days to resolve the problem before it appears on your credit report. A collection account can lower your credit score significantly!

Have any more questions? Contact the Real Estate experts at Colony Title!

We at Colony Title want to be your Title Company and real estate law firm. For additional information, please contact Tee Tillman at 410.884.1160 ext. 3007 or visit ColonyTitle.com today!

About Colony Title Associates:

Founded in 1995, Colony Title Group handles in excess of 2000 real estate closings per year in the central Maryland area. The founder Tee Tillman has over 23 years experience in the title and real estate law fields. Colony handles closings for several lenders, including banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Colony is the preferred choice for many real estate brokers in the area.

You can also follow Colony Title on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.