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What Is FIRPTA? Understanding Foreign Seller Requirements in Real Estate Buying or selling real estate already involves a significant amount of documentation, but transactions involving a foreign seller can come with an additional federal requirement. The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) establishes special withholding rules when certain…

Refinancing your home is usually about creating a stronger financial future—whether that means locking in a lower interest rate, reducing monthly payments, or putting your home equity to work. But behind every successful refinance is an important step many homeowners don’t think about: the title process. Working with a trusted…

🏡 New FinCEN Rule: What Real Estate Buyers Need to know Starting March 1, 2026, a new nationwide reporting rule from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will take effect — expanding oversight of all-cash residential real estate purchases. This change is designed to prevent money laundering through real estate…

Intro: Purchasing a home introduces many unfamiliar terms, and “escrow deposit” is often one of the most misunderstood. Buyers frequently ask where these funds are held, who manages them, and how title insurance plays a role. Knowing how escrow deposits and title insurance work together can help buyers move forward…

It feels like everything is getting more expensive these days. That’s because inflation has remained higher than normal for longer than expected – and that’s impacting the costs of goods, services, and more. And with rising costs all around you, you’re probably questioning: is now really the right time to…

Real Estate Expert Q&A: Understanding the Necessity of Dual Title Insurance New Homebuyer's Question: “As we navigate our first home purchase, we're carefully budgeting for the down payment, closing expenses, and moving costs. Our loan provider’s closing cost breakdown listed 'Owner’s Title Insurance' as optional, yet mandated 'Lender’s Title Insurance.'…

Crafting a successful real estate farm list necessitates a methodical and considerate approach to guarantee sustained success and expansion within a specific geographic area. To begin, it is imperative to conduct meticulous research. Evaluate the local market trends, demographics, and socioeconomic factors in potential farming areas. Scrutinize the demand for…

It's true that many homeowners associations (HOAs) charge various fees, including transfer fees or reinvestment fees, when a property changes ownership or when certain conditions are met. These fees can vary significantly from one HOA to another and can be substantial in some cases. Here's an overview of these fees:…

You’ve decided to buy or sell your property and are faced with trying to find a Title Company. Fortunately, you know that Metro Title & Escrow is there to help you! Below are 5 things your Title Company should do for you and 5 that they should not do during…

CE (Continuing Education) classes. Everyone has to deal with them, and everyone has grumbled about them a time or two. It’s understandable and relatable! You’ve done the work, why do MORE work just to keep your license? Well, in short, things change. We live in a world where laws, policies,…

Buying a new house can be very exciting and a little daunting. If you’re familiar with the process, buying a new house can be easier and more enjoyable. Understanding Escrow, how it works and why it matters, can bring you peace of mind in this whole process. And who doesn’t…

Before you select Metro Title & Escrow for property closing and title insurance needs, make sure you understand the details of all you will be receiving. There are several types of title insurance policies you can get, and the coverage you are provided with will be a big part of…

Rick Kahler: Can home title thieves can't steal your house? No, they can't. Home title theft. This is a “threat” I only learned about from frantic radio commercials warning that your home can be stolen from you. They claim thieves can deed your property to themselves and then mortgage or…

Dear Metro Title & Escrow Customers, We are aware of the Cloudstar data breach. Although this is a tragedy, we are hoping is remedied sooner than later, this will not affect Metro services or transactions. We will be open for normal business hours on Monday and are still able to…

If you're considering a home refinance, you probably have plenty of questions, such as: What does refinancing mean? What does a loan for refinancing give me? What role does the title company have in that process? We know this can be confusing if you haven't done it before. The points…

One of the key areas of a real estate transaction are title and escrow fees. When buying a home, you should be prepared with the right closing cost information on those fees and other expenses. Here's what home buyers should know, when it comes to title and escrow fees: The…

As our world family continues to deal with the COVID-19 virus, we at Metro Title & Escrow are taking every possible precaution to ensure that we're doing our part to resist the spread of this virus. In addition to sanitizing our offices regularly, the following protocols are in place: Closings:…

With the right Title Insurance Calculator, you get a good idea of title costs before you start. It's easy. Just choose buyer or seller, and put in the sales price or amount. Then you can see the settlement fees and title insurance premiums. You'll know what you can expect to…

Title insurance can be costly, but there are ways you can save money. If you want big savings, there are lots of things to consider. Here are three of the best options, so you can get the insurance you need at a fair price. 1). Shop around for the right…

There are plenty of title companies to pick from. They come in different sizes and offer different services. Full-service title companies handle it all, from beginning to end to close a transaction. You should choose a company that can provide you with a good closing experience, and will answer questions…

When you purchase Utah real estate, a title company takes a look at past ownership of that property to ensure previous transactions were completed without any disputes. But is that all you get with title insurance? No. There's a lot more to consider. Title insurance claims can still happen, even…