At Republic Title, we want to make your job easier. That’s why we are sharing this helpful state-by-state guide. Containing valuable information, this guide provides a detailed look at local customs throughout the nation. If you need more information, please reach out to your Commercial Services representative.
Once the ground has thawed and the trees begin to bud, it’s time to prepare your home for spring. On top of your regular spring cleaning, you’ll also want to consider these general home maintenance tips. Use our spring home maintenance checklist to make sure everything in your home from the basement to the roof is in tip-top shape.
• Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
• Change the air-conditioner filter.
• Clean window and door screens.
• Polish wood furniture, and dust light fixtures.
• Refinish the deck.
• Power-wash windows and siding.
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank.
• Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking for deterioration.
• Vacuum lint from dryer vent.
• Inspect chimney for damage.
• Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanicals.
• Remove insulation from outdoor faucets and check sprinkler heads.
• Have air-conditioning system serviced.
• Drain or flush water heater.
• Fertilize your lawn.
source: www.bhg.com
You probably know at least five people in your sphere of influence, circle of friends or in your office that you are a little jealous of, right? It seems like they have it all…they enjoy success in every aspect of their lives, from their careers to their relationships and even their level of creature comforts. We all do and we wonder…how do they do it?
Darren Hardy, former publisher of Success Magazine and New York Times best-selling author, says “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
As a self-proclaimed sales and personal development junkie, the most important lesson of all came to me through a book called The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. Republic Title sponsored a lecture by him in January of this year. Since reading that book and others by modern thought leaders and motivational gurus, the ONE thing they all do and advise us to do is to have a morning routine. It is a secret weapon to winning the day and, after practicing one for the past three years, I can tell you…it works.
This may be yours: wake up, make and have some coffee, check the phone, maybe read or watch some news, take a shower, have a quick bite and then out the door. While this is more than likely close to everyone’s habit, this is NOT a morning routine. This is the day taking you for a ride, not you taking the day. All of the pros say that a morning routine should consist of at least three action items. By the way, NONE of them involve your smart phone or television.
Hal Elrod practices and writes about Life S.A.V.E.R.S, which include meditation, affirmations, visualization, reading and journaling. Brendon Burchard practices a Power Hour that includes twenty minutes of exercise, journaling and reading each. Mel Robbins has her own too that includes much of the same.
No matter HOW you do it…just DO IT. You can find a morning routine that is the perfect fit for you by searching Google or any of the people above.
And remember, the modern world we live in is filled with more distractions than we can count. Everywhere we go, our attention is being vied for by something. Technology was created to be a tool for better living, and while our constantly evolving “smart” devices are not the enemy, we must realize that they cannot and should not rule our day, much less our life. It is imperative that we remember the ONE thing that we are in control of…OUR MORNINGS.
Win the Day!
Janet Allen, Senior Vice President/Residential Business Development, Republic Title
What is Survey Deletion Coverage?
Survey Deletion Coverage is often also referred to as “Survey Deletion”, “Survey Amendment”, and “Survey Coverage.” When survey deletion coverage is given in the title policy it offers Buyers protection for errors or omissions that may have been made by the surveyor and accepted by the title company by changing the language in the “standard exception” of the title policy to read “Shortages in Area” only. The “standard survey exception” in a title commitment or policy (before being amended) reads:
“Any discrepancies, conflicts, or shortage in area or boundary lines, or any encroachments or protrusions, or any overlapping of improvements.”
Upon receipt of an acceptable survey, the title company may amend this exception to read “Shortages in area” only. Things that a title company will look at to determine if a survey will be acceptable include, but are not limited to, the following: that items noted on the survey are listed in the title commitment, verify the legal description, check platted building lines and platted easements, and other matters such as the seal and signature of the engineer, date of the survey, and north directional arrow.
Survey Deletion is addressed in paragraph 6. A. (8) of the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract, where the parties select between the options of amending or not amending the standard exception in the title policy and who will be responsible for the payment of the premium.
There are other issues that may show up in the review of a survey, such as a building or driveway or fence over a building line, or into a platted easement. When this happens, the title company may still accept the survey and amend the standard exception to read “Shortages in Area” only, but will generally add a special exception on Schedule B of the title commitment and owner’s title policy for any of these issues that were shown on the survey.
The cost of survey deletion coverage on residential transactions is 5% of the Owners Title Policy Premium, and is 15% of the Owner Title Policy Premium in a commercial transaction.
For more information on Survey Deletion Coverage, download our Survey Deletion Coverage Q&A flyer
‘Tis the season, tax season that is! There are lots of changes beginning with the 2018 tax year so take a look at this handy infographic we’ve put together for you that highlights the changes that REALTORS® should know.
Source: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-reform/
You finally found THE ONE and put in an offer that was accepted… now what? The process is just beginning for the behind the scenes team that make your dreams a reality and help get you into your new home. We’ve put together a comprehensive chart of the closing process that begins once you are under contract to help you better understand the whole process. You (the buyer), your REALTOR®, Mortgage & Title Companies have lots to do before you get to the closing table and get those keys in hand. Here’s a look at the process.
Over the last few years, phone and email scam’s have been on the rise. Here’s what you need to know about how the IRS contacts taxpayers, so you’ll be prepared if someone attempts to scam you.
Many taxpayers have encountered individuals impersonating IRS officials – in person, over the telephone and via email. Don’t get scammed. We want you to understand how and when the IRS contacts taxpayers and help you determine whether a contact you may have received is truly from an IRS employee.
The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
However, there are special circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business, such as when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, to secure a delinquent tax return or a delinquent employment tax payment, or to tour a business as part of an audit or during criminal investigations.
Even then, taxpayers will generally first receive several letters (called “notices”) from the IRS in the mail.
The IRS instructs taxpayers to make payments to the “United States Treasury.” The IRS provides specific guidelines on how you can make a tax payment at irs.gov/payments.
If an IRS representative visits you, he or she will always provide two forms of official credentials called a pocket commission and a HSPD-12 card. HSPD-12 is a government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification for federal employees and contractors. You have the right to see these credentials. And if you would like to verify information on the representative’s HSPD-12 card, the representative will provide you with a dedicated IRS telephone number for verifying the information and confirming their identity.
IRS collection employees may call or come to a home or business unannounced to collect a tax debt. They will not demand that you make an immediate payment to a source other than the U.S. Treasury.
Learn more about the IRS revenue officers’ collection work.
The IRS can assign certain cases to private debt collectors but only after giving the taxpayer and his or her representative, if one is appointed, written notice. Private collection agencies will not ask for payment on a prepaid debit card or gift card. Taxpayers can learn about the IRS payment options on IRS.gov/payments. Payment by check should be payable to the U.S. Treasury and sent directly to the IRS, not the private collection agency.
Learn more about how to know if it’s really an IRS Private Debt Collector.
IRS employees conducting audits may call taxpayers to set up appointments or to discuss items with the taxpayers, but not without having first attempted to notify them by mail. After mailing an official notification of an audit, an auditor/tax examiner may call to discuss items pertaining to the audit.
Learn more about the IRS audit process.
IRS criminal investigators may visit a taxpayer’s home or business unannounced while conducting an investigation. However, these are federal law enforcement agents and they will not demand any sort of payment.
Learn more about the What Criminal Investigation Does and How Criminal Investigations are Initiated.
Scams take many shapes and forms, such as phone calls, letters and emails. Many IRS impersonators use threats to intimidate and bully people into paying a fabricated tax bill. They may even threaten to arrest or deport their would-be victim if the victim doesn’t comply.
For a comprehensive listing of recent tax scams and consumer alerts, visit Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.
For more information on this issue as well as other helpful IRS articles, please follow this link.
Source: Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov
Republic Title of Texas, Inc. is proud to announce our completion of HA&W’s ComplianceSuccess® Program which certifies compliance with American Land Title Association (ALTA) Best Practices. ALTA’s Best Practices Framework includes:
1. Licensing: Establish and maintain current License(s) as required to conduct the business of title insurance and settlement services
2. Escrow Trust Accounting: Adopt and maintain appropriate written procedures and controls for Escrow Trust Accounts allowing for electronic verification of reconciliation.
3. Protecting NPI: Adopt and maintain a written privacy and information security program to protect Non-public Personal Information as required by local, state and federal law.
4. Settlement Processes: Adopt standard real estate settlement procedures and policies that help ensure compliance with Federal and State Consumer Financial Laws as applicable to the Settlement process.
5. Policy Production: Adopt and maintain written procedures related to title policy production, delivery, reporting and premium remittance.
6. Insurance Coverage: Maintain appropriate professional liability insurance and fidelity coverage.
7. Consumer Complaints: Adopt and maintain written procedures for resolving consumer complaints.
For more information on ALTA’s Best Practices Framework and why it is important to do business with a company that implements these standards, visit www.alta.org/best-practices
Do you know how the government shutdown will affect you, the agent? NAR posted this great article that summarizes the impact that the shoutdown will have on real estate transactions.
(As of January 4, 2019)
As of midnight on December 21, 2018, the President and Congress were unable to agree on the provisions of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government. As a result, a partial shutdown of some government operations has occurred. This partial shutdown includes some federal housing, mortgage, and other programs of interest to the real estate industry. A summary of the impact on selected agencies is provided below.
While this is a very politically dynamic event, NAR staff continue to monitor federal agencies and work with Congress, the Administration, and other groups to assess ongoing impacts to NAR members and their businesses.
Environmental Protection Agency
Under EPA’s shutdown plan(link is external), most employees are now furloughed. This will affect various regulatory programs and compliance activities, such as wetlands determinations under the 404 program and enforcement of the lead-based paint disclosure and renovation, repair and painting programs.
Federal Housing Administration
HUD’s Contingency Plan states that FHA will endorse new loans in the Single Family Mortgage Loan Program except for HECM loans. It will not make new commitments in the Multi-family Program during the shutdown. FHA will maintain operational activities including paying claims and collecting premiums. FHA Contractors managing the REO/HUD Homes portfolio can continue to operate. Some delays with FHA processing may occur due to short staffing. Read more about these delays(link is external).
Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs)
During previous shutdowns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have continued normal operations since they are not reliant on appropriated funds. On December 26th both GSEs updated or clarified their loan purchase requirements in case of a shutdown. Freddie Mac requires all borrowers to sign a 4506T request form prior to close, but the request does not have to be processed prior to close. Fannie Mae requires the same unless the borrower’s income can be verified though Fannie Mae’s proprietary Desktop Underwriter verification system in which case no 4506T is required.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS will close and suspend the processing of all forms, including requests for tax return transcripts (Form 4506T). While FHA and VA do not require these transcripts, they are required by many lenders for many kinds of loans, including FHA and VA. Delays can be expected if the shutdown continues. Some loan originators may adopt revised policies during the shutdown, such as allowing for processing and closings with income verification to follow, as long as the borrower has signed a Form 4506T requesting IRS tax transcripts. On loans requiring a Form 4506T, see the GSE section above for additional details.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
After NFIP operations were initially suspended over questions raised by government attorneys, NAR worked with the White House and Congress to clarify that the government shutdown does not affect the sale or renewal of flood insurance policies or the payment of claims on existing policies. Disaster relief, airport screenings and other essential homeland security functions are unaffected. View the FEMA release(link is external) resuming the full and normal operations of the NFIP.
Rural Housing Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will not issue new rural housing Direct Loans or Guaranteed Loans. Scheduled closings of Direct Loans will not occur. Scheduled closings of Guaranteed Loans without the guarantee previously issued will be closed at the lender’s own risk.
Visa Programs – EB-5 and H-2B
Until the shutdown ends and the Regional Center EB-5 program extension is signed into law, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program is suspended and no new I-526 petitions can be filed. Investors must continue to file timely responses to USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID). In addition, investors may continue to prepare and file I-829 petitions.
While the Department of Labor was funded for 2019, the Department of Homeland Security was not. Therefore, while the H-2B Temporary Worker Visa program is still operational for workers currently in the U.S., the DHS is unable to approve any new or returning workers under an H-2B visa.
Source: National Association of Realtors – www.nar.realtor
In this day and age, safety is of utmost importance as a REALTOR®. Please read this post from MetroTex Association of REALTORS® with some tips on keeping you and your clients safe.
Holding an open house can be an act of faith. Your seller cleans, declutters, and prepares their home to look its best, hoping at least one of the visitors will fall in love enough to make an offer. At the same time, open houses are invitations to strangers to walk amoung your clients most prized possessions, often with only a single real estate agent present – and so there are very real security concerns, for agents and homeowners alike.
In North Texas there have been recent reports concerning thefts during and even after open houses. When you go through the house to make sure all lights are off and the house is in good condition after an open house, remember unscrupulous people have been known to unlock a window with the thought of returning later. After the open house, don’t forget to walk through the house and check every window (even on the second floor), gate, and door to be certain that they’re all locked.
Here are a few other tips to help your clients when showing a home:
Say ‘No’ to drugs
There are so many tales of open house visitors rifling through medicine cabinets and taking a few pills, or even whole bottles. Have your clients remove or put in a locked drawer all prescription drugs from their medicine cabinet, even the ones they might think are harmless.
Control your remotes
Most people don’t think about the extra garage remote they leave dangling from a hook near the back door. It’s small and easy to slip into a pocket, so take it with you when you leave for the open house.
File this under ‘Lock & Key’
Identity theft is real and should be taken seriously. Advise your clients to use a safe or lockable filing cabinet for important documents: birth and marriage certificates, financial statements, basically any legal, medical, or personal information they don’t want falling into someone else’s hands.
Source: http://www.mymetrotex.com/open-house-safety-important/