The information that I am providing to you is taken from Form F-13 Protect Yourself When Buying A Home from the Georgia Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

8. Buy An Owner’s Title Insurance Policy.

An owner’s insurance policy protects the buyer is a pre-existing title problem is discovered after the closing. Normally, a title insurance policy is purchased and issued at the closing by the closing attorney. A title problem can be as simple as a neighbor claiming to own a small portion of your property based upon a disputed fence line.

However, it can also be a serious problem, such as a forged deed, where you could lose the title to your property. Mortgage lenders require the buyer to pay for title insurance covering the lender’s interest in the property. However, in a world where there is an increasing amount of identity theft and the forging of documents, title insurance covering the owner is recommended.

There are different types of title insurance policies offered in Georgia. The most comprehensive are sometimes referred to as “enhanced title policies” and in some cases they protect the buyers from title claims even after the closing date. Since the premium for title insurance is paid only once, it is recommended that buyers obtain the comprehensive policy.

Please check back soon for the 4th way to protect yourself when buying a home. Should you have any questions or concerns before then, please feel free to Contact Me, or call me at 706-994-8686 for any Real Estate advice you might be seeking.

If you missed the First 7 Ways To Protect Yourself When Buying A Mountain Home, Please Click below to catch up on those.

#1 Reason; #2 Reason; #3 Reason; #4 Reason;  #5 Reason; #6 Reason and #7 Reason.

More than 60 percent of U.S. homes are “over-assessed”, says an industry trade group. Homeowners in Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Ellijay and Hiawassee pay more in property taxes than they otherwise should have to.  You might be one of them.

Have you considered fighting your real estate tax bill?

In this 4-minute piece from The Today Show, you’ll learn:

• When to file your tax bill dispute for the best chances of winning
• How to pull your “property card” and check for tax bill-raising errors
• What to do if the taxing authority turns down your request

Most importantly, you’ll learn that don’t need to hire an attorney to fight your tax bill.  You just need to be prepared.  Do your research and make your case. It’s estimated that nearly half of all contesting homeowners are successful.

J. Byron Wyndham is an attorney with over 25 years experience in Georgia real estate law. He has represented buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and lenders within his practice. A graduate of the College of William and Mary in Virginia, he began his practice in 1973. He has endeavored to work with all parties required in the purchase of a new home with a professional and understanding attitude and demeanor.

 Although I have asked Byron to share with my readers advice on Real Estate Law, Byron thought it best that he break into the blogosphere with what he feels is his favorite time of year in the North Georgia Mountains. I told him I would let it slide just this one time, next time I would have to fire him! Byron truly does have a passion for mountain living, and he like so many, feels very fortunate to be able to work and live in such a beautiful place. Byron is seldom seen around town without a big ol’ smile on his face. I hope you enjoy his prelude to what I am sure will be very valuable information in his weekly real estate tips and advice in future posts on the Porch.

It’s Cold, It’s Wet, It’s Gray….It’s Perfect!

 Many people do not come to the mountains in the winter. They think it would be like going to Buffalo and being stuck in the ultimate experience of cold and the snow. They are sure that they would get snowed in, lose heat, electricity and not be able to get out and go home. They believe the perfect time to visit the mountains is in the spring, summer and fall when all is green or colorful.

Have you ever looked up at the distant mountains and seen the frost or snow caressing the summit and ridge? Have you ever looked at what was only a thick covering of trees and suddenly being able to see the mountains in the distance because the leaves have fallen and there is now a view?

I have discovered winter to be my favorite season in the mountains. Even though the color is mostly gray as you gaze over the ridges and mountains, and the sky seems to go on forever and there is a sereneness in the view and the color. One can feel the surroundings wrapping around you and giving you a sense of majesty for the pleasure of taking the whole sight in.

It’s a time for visiting your favorite restaurant and lingering over your favorite dessert. It’s a time to “scrunch” up in an overstuffed chair, light a fire and read the book you got for Christmas, and not hurrying to finish it. It’s when you can pull over to the side of the road to look into the distance and see that view you’ve never seen before because you hadn’t traveled this road in winter before.

It may be cold and wet and gray, but it’s perfect. The mountains, the sky and the views will be here tomorrow too! Come and join me.

Byron Wyndham