Title insurance protects homebuyers and lenders, not from future hazards, but from problems of the past. With owner’s title insurance, a buyer is free from worry about:

• An old forged deed that turns up.
• A long-lost heir that lays claim to the property.
• A misreading of an old will.
• Lost documents that come to light.
• A mix-up of names or marital status of past owners.

Also, a title insurance company will probably pick up the tab on any court costs involved in defending the homeowner’s case. That’s well worth the cost of the insurance – plus the peace of mind. The most economical way to buy an owner’s title insurance policy is to purchase it at the same time as the lender’s policy (Mortgage Title Insurance).

Todd Hueffed

www.ThatHomeZone.com in partnership with Keller Williams Bothell

425 220 2276 cell

I have been in real estate for around 12 years in Washington State the Snohomish and King County to be more specific. I and my business www.ThatHomeZone.com have helped many people purchase and or sell a home and have almost no past clients that would not use me again. Most of my clients would and do refer there family and friends to me so I guess what I am saying is that I feel that I am a pretty good agent and have strong client relations.

What I am thinking of doing is getting my real estate license in CA and the San Francisco Bay area to be more specific. I grew up in this area and refer a pretty good share of business to this area. I spend a lot of time down in CA and feel this might be a good fit for myself and my business while helping a larger client base and not having to refer out.

I would love to hear from consumers and agents alike with there pros, cons and general comments about this.

Todd Hueffed

I know where we are short sales are taking forever but not because of the agents as many consumers say but the banks. I also know by law until the banks except an offer in writing the banks can except multiple offers in our area.

I had a listing (short sale) that went on for months and months with an offer on it when the market was totally in its lowest low and the offer was reasonable for that time ... then after almost a year of fighting with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd we finally get the banks to all agree and we get another offer almost 8 months for more money and because the market had improved and the appraisal supported this the poor buyers in 1st position could no longer afford the house that they waited for 8 months and lost the home.

I felt terrible but what do you do?

In our market place its the banks I still think. They have a certain amount of time to respond to offers but they are also the ones that let you know when they get the offers. Fax cover pages and Fed Ex receipts do not seem to matter to the banks eather when trying to prove that they have recived offers and files.

While I hate more regulation on anything I do feel that something needs to be done to the banks making them more responsible to respond to offers and make "time of the essence" when working on files.

I find that open houses are a waiste of my time? However I cannot deny that over the last 10+ years I have found many buyers and sellers through an open house.

I always tell my clients of the security issues, along with the rest of the pros and cons of having an open house but always follow that information with "It only takes one buyer and they might walk through your door at an open house" 

I have also found that if you are trying to really market in one area and get your name out in that city or neighborhood that the more opens the better. Your signs are out every weekend and the neighbors are all out looking and talking to you, and who do you think they will call when they need a real estate professional?

Have I sold any of my listings directly from holding the house open? No. Have I ever gotten buisness from a open house? Yes and for 3 hours of my time a week it seems to be a good use of time. People only see blogs and most our marketing (including mailings) when they are thinking of doing some kind of real estate, an open house people see no matter what so are open houses a waiste of time?

Ok I have to rant on this for a second and would love everyone's feedback on any experiences you may have or insight.

I have been doing real estate for over 10 years so have been around the block a couple times.

I am so frustrated with short sales and the banks. The banks have 30 days supposedly to respond to offers however they are also the only ones that can tell you when they have received the offer. I have done many short sales now since the market has changed and have found on every transaction so far that the banks loose the files for as long as they want. I have fax cover pages confirming that the lien holder received the offer but when I call they say “we don't have it and we don't care what proof you have".

I have now defaulted to faxing and Fed Exing files (or requesting that the escrow or negotiators do this) simultaneously from the beginning. This way I have it in writing that they received it physically and electronically and do you think this helps???? Lol no.

I know so many agents that just refuse to show or list short sales for this reason along with the fact that the banks beat up the commissions, I don't blame them and starting to feel the same myself. Short sales are a lot of work on the agent’s part and tons of stress on the buyer. I am finding the average buyer does not have the tolerance to deal with the stresses of purchasing a short sale. So as agents are we doing our clients right by not showing certain homes????

I have a deal I am working on now that has three lien holders and we wrote the offer back in January and just now getting ready to close. We had approvals back months ago but not all of them and now that so much time has gone buy all the new approvals are 35K more money because our local market has recovered some. HOW IS THIS FAIR to the clients?

I hate to say it as I am one for less regulation than more but these slimy banks are still finding ways to hurt our markets and I feel bad for the poor sellers that have to deal with the stresses of loosing a home and having to deal with uncooperative lien holders.

If anyone starts a lawsuit please let me know the banks are just in the wrong in so many ways and need to be held accountable as right now they seem to act as if they are untouchable.

There needs to be some regulation put into place on the banks that they have to within 24 hours conferm that they have gotten offers and packets. Right now they can say we have not gotten whatever you have to send until they have time to deal with it.

Banks are givin 30 days to respond to an offer turned in but there is nothing that says they got it....and try telling the banks you have 10 fax cover sheets saying it was faxed.

Every deal I have worked on in the last year has had this one problem...along with millions more.

Todd Hueffed

Have you thought about moving or investing in real estate in Washington? I have  been selling real estate for over 10 years in King and Snohomish County Washington and have never seen a better buyers market. Rates are at historical lows, and our local economy here is really pretty good and many of the large companies here are still hiring.

There is even talk about a housing shortage in the next 3 to 4 years here because our local economy has not taken the beating that most the states have but our real estate got pretty beat up because of the loss of sub prime mortgages and to be honest the media scared off many buyers. The baseline of home sales is new construction and with our market lull there has been little new construction or development of lots for new homes......so the theory is that we will see a housing shortage......and we all know what happens when supply cannot meet demand.

I also feel that our market has already seen its bottom and with the start of the new year I think we will see a surge of new buyers in the market place as almost every lender I know is getting more and more busy and not just with refinancing....

So if you have ever thought of moving to Snohomish or King County Washington or buying some rentals now just might be the time to take a look here......

If you have any relocation needs please feel free to contact myself and also click here for your free online relocation kit and I look forward to working with you soon.......

Todd Hueffed

www.ThatHomeZone.com in Partnership with Keller Williams North Seattle

425 220 2276 cell

Mail@ThatHomeZone.com