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Closing costs: Here’s how much money you really need to buy a house

Housing Wire

Understanding what expenses are required at closing to buy a house will help you budget and save more effectively. In this article, we break down exactly what closing costs are so you’re prepared when you start shopping for a home: What are closing costs? Closing costs are the thousands of dollars associated with buying a home.

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Opinion: More can be done to shorten the average time to close

Housing Wire

Seemingly forever, the average time between reaching a sales agreement and closing on that property has hovered around 45 days — a month and a half. When asked why it takes an average of six to seven weeks to get to closing , there are a lot of complex (and honest) answers. But there’s also room for improvement.

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Unwrapping what to expect in your home inspection, appraisal and closing

Housing Wire

Have you budgeted for closing costs? Before you get overwhelmed, take comfort that critical milestones of home inspection, appraisal and closing processes are all great ways to get more acquainted with your prospective new home. Should the appraisal come in lower than the contract price, the closing process may be impacted.

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Opinion: More should be done to shorten the average time to close

Housing Wire

Seemingly forever, the average time between reaching a sales agreement and closing on that property has hovered around 45 days — a month and a half. When asked why it takes an average of six to seven weeks to get to closing, there are a lot of complex (and honest) answers. There’s an entire industry built upon the “What’s next?”

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Purchase market will highlight closing process problems

Housing Wire

The closing process, that time between underwriting approval and the actual closing, is the mortgage industry’s not-so-secret Achilles’ heel. That’s not a knock on the good professionals who enact minor miracles choreographing the multi-faceted ballet that is a typical closing. Let’s admit it.

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ALTA: Protecting property rights with title insurance

Housing Wire

However, most Americans don’t learn about title insurance until they buy their first home and amid the often stressful, frenetic activity of the closing process, homebuyers can be confused about many of the settlement costs and why they need to purchase a title insurance policy. Diane Tomb, ALTA CEO Contributor.

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Punctual Abstract acquires Slade Title Research

Housing Wire

According to Punctual Abstract, the company, which was founded in 1993, typically provides abstracts within 24 to 48 hours from the start of the title search. If the company hopes to wrestle any share of the 80.3% of the market controlled by the “Big Four” away it will need to continue to develop these assets.

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