Sometimes the perfect home, or the perfect buyer comes at an inopportune time. That long planned trip is right around the corner and buyer or seller will not be in town for the escrow process. There are options. One is utilizing a Power of Attorney...
Sellers who are 55 and over may be eligible via Proposition 60 (intracounty transfer) /90 (intercounty transfer) for a transfer of property tax base on their primary residence. Eleven counties in California have ordinances for intercounty tax transfer. Here's the list: Alameda El Dorado Los Angeles Orange ...
Spring is officially upon us! Besides blooming flowers and gorgeous weather, we often also associate this time of year with spring-cleaning. But, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Creating a simple annual maintenance checklist to properly care for your home can prevent potential issues from...
The Foreign Investment in Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) is a certificate of non-foreign status. FIRPTA addresses the disposition of U.S. real property interest by a foreign person. Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code requires that all transferees (buyers) of real property owned by a foreign...
We get asked this question a lot: "What is the difference between title and escrow?" We've created this educational infographic to help people understand, click on the image for a larger view! Contact your escrow officer if you have any questions! ...
Starting January 1, 2017, water conservation retrofitting goes statewide for single family dwellings. All homes built on or before January 1, 1994 are required to update to complying water conserving fixtures on or before January 1, 2017. Commercial buildings and multi-family units built prior to...
One of our priorities here at American Trust Escrow is to ensure we keep you informed about topics affecting our industry! So, we wanted to share with you a few details about a pretty hot topic: Social media + RESPA We all love social media....
The language of escrow and the real estate transaction doesn't need to be a stumbling block; once you know the terms, these words become what they are meant to be - valuable tools to help smooth the road to a successful transaction. Contingency This is a clause...
On July 26, 2016, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN"), a bureau of the United States Department of Treasury, issued a Geographical Targeting Order ("GTO") requiring title insurers, their subsidiaries and agents, to report certain information in connection with the purchase of 1-4 unit residential...
Several cities have updated their retrofitting and property report requirements. We have the latest report requirements here on our website: https://americantrustescrow.com/city-property-report-requirements/. Check back often for updates!...
