Plain-language answers to real homebuyer questions across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — written each week by Karen Todd, Esq.
It’s one of the most common questions I hear from homebuyers in the weeks before settlement: “I saved for the down payment, but where does all this other money come from?” The figure on the preliminary closing disclosure labeled “Cash to Close” can feel like a second, unexpected mountain to climb. A seller credit can be the bridge that gets you over it.
It’s one of the most common questions we get from clients moving within the DMV: why does Maryland require an attorney at closing when D.C. and Virginia don’t? The answer is less about a rule and more about a philosophy of what it means to hand over the keys to a new home.
It’s one of the most common questions we hear: is title insurance a one-time cost, or will you be paying for it every year? The answer is simple, but the reason behind it reveals something fundamental about what it means to truly own a piece of property.
You've signed the papers and have the keys to your new home. But where is the actual title insurance policy? We explain the crucial post-closing steps that happen before your final policy arrives.
It’s late at night, and you’re scrolling through listings. Suddenly, you see it: a house in a neighborhood you love, listed for a price that seems almost impossible. Your heart quickens. Could this be the one? Often, that shockingly low price tag is attached to a property with a specific history—it’s a foreclosure. And while the idea of a bargain is tempting, it’s crucial to understand what you are truly buying.
Discover the surprising power of HOA and condo association 'super-liens' in the DMV and learn how a seller's unpaid fees can impact your real estate transaction if not handled correctly.
It’s one of the most common questions I hear from clients: Should I hold title in an LLC or a trust? The answer isn’t about finding a secret advantage; it’s about matching the legal 'container' for your property to your life's purpose for it.
You've sent the biggest wire transfer of your life. But what happens next? A real estate attorney explains the secure, careful path your money takes through escrow, settlement, and recording before it ever reaches the seller.
You’ve found the perfect brick colonial in Bethesda, a sleek condo in the Wharf, or a quiet rambler in Arlington. The inspection went well, your financing is in order, and you’re dreaming of where to put the sofa. Then, a worry surfaces: what if the current owners are behind on their property taxes? It’s a common fear. Could you, the new owner, be on the hook for someone else’s debt? The short answer is a reassuring one. The entire settlement process is a finely tuned machine designed to detect and resolve exactly this kind of issue, ensuring you don’t inherit the seller’s financial obligations. Let’s walk through how it works.