TTG · Title Group
The Blog

The Property Pulse

Plain-language answers to real homebuyer questions across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — written each week by Karen Todd, Esq.

A hand polishing an antique brass key with a soft white cloth, symbolizing a fresh start.
First-Time Buyer & Assistance Programs

Am I a First-Time Homebuyer (Again)? A Guide for the DMV

It’s a quiet Saturday morning in your Alexandria rental, and as you scroll through listings, a memory surfaces: the small townhouse you bought in your twenties and sold after a job relocation. That was years ago. You feel like you’re starting over, but a question nags at you—are you still considered a first-time homebuyer in the eyes of the lenders and programs that could help you buy again? The answer is more hopeful than you might think.

Karen Todd, Esq.
A dollar bill folded into the shape of a small house, symbolizing the financing of a home.
Closing Costs, Transfer & Recordation Taxes

What is a Seller Credit? | TTG Title Group

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.

Karen Todd, Esq.
An antique skeleton key rests beside a bundle of old legal documents, symbolizing the complex history of a foreclosure property.
Special Situations

The Real Deal on Buying a Foreclosure in DC, MD, and VA

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.

Karen Todd, Esq.

Get The Property Pulse in your inbox

Plain-language DMV real estate answers from Karen Todd, Esq. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

Call Send EMD