Industry News
Industry news plays a vital role in understanding the latest trends in housing, title insurance, and escrow services. From monthly housing market updates to practical tips and best practices, staying informed can help navigate the complexities of real estate with confidence. Plymouth Title Guaranty Corporation shares insights and updates designed to keep professionals and homebuyers prepared for every step of the process.
Declining Loan Originations: Rising Prices & Limited Inventory Hurting Housing
After last year’s record-setting real estate year, 2022 is displaying declining loan originations and refinancing activity. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the housing market has taken center stage while home demand has skyrocketed. As the dust settles, the numbers now point in the opposite direction. As demand wanes, prices surge, and mortgage, refinancing, and loan applications begin to decline.
Owner’s Title Insurance: An Essential Aspect of the Home Buying Process
Owner’s title insurance contains a fascinating history, dating back over 150 years to 1868. In the case of Watson v. Muirhead, the transaction conveyancer discovered that the property in question was under lien. Although an attorney advised the conveyancer that the lien was invalid, a court ruled that it was in fact valid, after all.
As a direct result of the case outcome, a consortium of Philadelphia conveyancers banned together to form the first title insurance entity. With a clear goal in mind, the group set out to prevent innocent home buyers from falling victim to matters such as the aforementioned.Today, many in the real estate industry debate the merits of an owner’s title insurance policy. While lenders typically require their own policy to protect their interests, the same as generally not said for the end homeowner. However, as the real estate market progressively grows in its complexity, we firmly believe that an owner’s policy represents a saving grace for many.
Chicago Home Prices Appreciate Despite Limited Housing Inventory
With the United States continuing to witness record-setting inflation levels, Chicago home prices see massive appreciation. Of course, this market correction comes after a two-year period of record-low mortgage rates and a lackluster 2020 real estate year. Hot off the trail of 2021’s real estate market rebound, Chicagoland real estate affordability grows farther out of reach for first-time buyers.
Mortgage Rates Turn Volatile in 2022 Housing Market
After years of record-low figures, mortgage rates turn volatile as we progress into 2022. With the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic, mortgage rates plummeted alongside the global economic uncertainty. However, last year, the United States generated a much faster than anticipated economic rebound. In fact, 2021 home sales achieved their best year on record since 2006. One month into 2022, analysts already predict higher mortgage rates before the end of the year.
2022 Mortgage Rates: Analysts Forecast Higher Rates in the New Year
2021 represented a banner year for real estate, leaving many to inquire about 2022 mortgage rates. Last year, mortgage rates hovered around record low numbers. Real estate experts largely attributed this to the prevalence of the coronavirus pandemic, and its numerous variants.
Demand for Second Homes: What’s Really Causing the Rise?
With 2021’s low interest rates, real estate analysts noticed a surprising trend: demand for second homes. In today’s competitive real estate market, buying one home can be challenging enough. This is especially true in the era of COVID-19. However, analysts did not originally predict current homeowners to lead the charge on purchasing that second property.
Lifted Eviction Moratorium Had Stunning Impact on Mortgage Markets
Last month, the US Supreme Court pass a vote, which lifted the eviction moratorium. Previously, the Biden administration expanded the eviction moratorium.
Delta Variant Spurred Startling Mortgage Rate Plummet
The Delta variant spurred a startling mortgage rate plummet as of late. Mortgage rates declined as a result of the increasing economic uncertainties. Analysts attribute the uncertainty to the COVID-19 Delta variant and its mutations. As a result, the average 30-year loan rate fell to a five-month record.
Owner's Title Insurance: Why You Should Get a Policy Now
An owner’s title insurance policy is critical for protecting you from all types of issues you might have with the title of your home. It is essential and should never be overlooked by homeowners who want to make sure they are fully protected from title issues that could arise. Here, we will go over some top reasons to never pass on title insurance.
Public Record Errors Have a Tremendous Impact on Property Titles
Public record errors have a tremendous impact on property titles. Imagine this. You spend months searching for that perfect dream home. You gain preapproval and sign the contract. The closing process is going smoothly. All of the hard work was worth it, and it’s time to reap the fruits of your labor. Then, all of a sudden, you smash into a major wall.
The property title has public record errors. This wasn’t your fault. But what are the negative consequences?Usually, real estate industry professionals trust public records to be completely true and accurate. But mistakes do happen from time to time. Sometimes, those mistakes affect a homeowner’s title.
Real Estate Closing Advice & Actually Understanding What Happens Before
First-time home buyers search high and low for real estate closing advice. The real estate closing process generates unfathomable stress, especially for first-time home buyers. Prospective home Buyers await news regarding appraisals, property inspections, and title searches. With so many moving pieces, it is challenging to maintain constant vigilance over the process.
Plymouth Title Guaranty Corporation seeks to mitigate that. Some key pieces of advice (and information) help ease home buyers through their first foray in the world of property ownership.
The Difference Between a Title and a Deed
To most people, the words ‘deed’ and ‘title’ are interchangeable. But there are actually major differences between the two that are important to understand before you start the process of a real estate transaction.
Top 3 Real Estate Title Issues
Real estate transactions can be exciting for all parties involved, but without proper research and protection, you can find yourself on the bad end of a title issue that could challenge your rights as a homeowner. Here are a few of the most common real estate title issues and what you can do to protect yourself or prevent them altogether.
What You Need To Know About Property Liens
What happens when a property owner cannot pay back their debts or fail to pay taxes? Property liens. Though many have heard of them, few know exactly how they work, how to get rid of them, and even how a smart investor can profit from them.
United Wholesale Mortgage Goes Public to Start 2021
In major mortgage industry news to start the new year, one of the country’s largest mortgage companies has officially gone public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after a multibillion-dollar merger.
The Difference Between Owner’s and Lender’s Title Insurance
Most people understand the necessity behind purchasing title insurance, but few know that there are two distinct kinds of title insurance, and even fewer know the differences between them. Owner’s and Lender’s title insurance are similar in nature but cover two different sides of a real estate transaction.
Best Time for Home Refinancing
Homeowners have tried figuring out the best time for home refinancing for an exceptionally long time. Even before COVID-19, many people needed clarification about the appropriate time to consider refinancing, particularly those who have never owned a home before or are unfamiliar with the refinancing process. The historically low mortgage rates that have come alongside the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic have left multitudes of homeowners itching to take advantage of low rates to refinance their homes. It is easy to understand why. Low interest rates make for low mortgage rates, which is excellent when refinancing. That makes sense, right?
Public Record Errors & Title Insurance
Public record errors can leave a significant impact on your home’s title.Moving into a new home should be one of the most exciting moments in your life. You have worked hard for it, searched high and low for that dream house, and now, it is all yours!At least, it should be, but what happens when public record errors affect your home’s title? Your house might be a new acquisition for you, but unless it is also newly built, there is a history to be uncovered.
Best Practices for Preventing Real Estate Wire Fraud
Imagine spending hour after hour searching for your dream home and finally finding it. But, as you start to complete all the paperwork and get ready to close an urgent email appears in your inbox. The email appears to be from your agent or attorney or from someone representing the seller urgently requesting for the down payment and other closing costs to be wired today.
