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You Have Purchased a Home....Now What?
Now that you have decided to buy your home, what happens between now and the time you legally own the home?  A Title Company may handle the following items.  NOTE: in different parts of the country attorneys, lenders, escrow companies and other persons who are independent of, title companies perform some or all of these functions. 
Earnest Money - An agreement to convey starts the process once it is received at the Title Company.  Once you submit the loan application, it is usually subject to a credit check, an appraisal, and sometimes, a survey of the property.
Tax Check - What taxes are owed on the property?  The Title Company contacts the various assessor-collectors.
Title Search - Copies of documents are gathered from various public records: deeds, deeds of trust, various assessments and matters of probate, heirship, divorce, and bankruptcy are addressed.
Examination - Verification of the legal owner and debts owed.
Document Preparation - Appropriate forms are prepared for conveyance and settlement.
Settlement - An Escrow Officer oversees the closing of the transaction: seller signs the deed, you sign a new mortgage, the old loan is paid off and the new loan is established.  Seller, Realtors, attorneys, surveyors, Title Company, ... more

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