These are certainly uncertain times for much of the U.S. economy, but one industry that is still open is real estate. Especially given the current interest rate, many lenders are overwhelmed with mortgage applications. Here is what you need to know about your real estate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mortgage Relief Are you unable to […]
Industry News
May 2020 Market Updates
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate the headlines. Some states are finally starting to open back up, while others are committed to a few more weeks, at least, of the stay-at-home order. Investors and markets across the world wait in limbo for daily updates. The Labor Market Unemployment has finally dropped to pre-recession levels […]
COVID-19 Stimulus Package
The $2 trillion dollar stimulus package signed by President Trump is the first attempt by the government to slow the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. The stimulus, the largest in U.S. history, provides relief for individuals, families, and several businesses. Here’s what you need to know. Stimulus Package Basics Individuals and Families Individuals with gross […]
April 2020 Market Updates
The market has been anything but normal over the past few weeks as the U.S. economy has come to a standstill amid the COVID-19 outbreak. States and cities across the U.S. have issued stay-at-home orders. President Trump had initially hoped the economy would be reopened by mid-April, but his latest guidelines urge stay-at-home orders to […]
Why Title Insurance is an Essential Business
Late last week, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker authorized Executive Order 2020-10 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This effectively issued a stay-at-home order, outlined social distancing behavior, and declared essential businesses that would remain open. The order took effect Saturday March 21, 2020 at 5:00PM and lasts through April 7, 2020. Fortunately, title insurance companies […]
Special Report: Coronavirus and Mortgage Rates
This past month saw a tremendous increase of attention given to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump declared the pandemic a national emergency with plans to increase testing and shut down travel to Europe. Schools, restaurants, bars, sporting events, and other nonessential businesses are closing down for the time being. Across the country, Americans are […]
March 2020 Market Updates
The biggest economic news of the past several weeks stems from the impact of the spreading coronavirus. Stock markets have tumbled, and investors remain uncertain. In spite of this, reports from manufacturing, retail, and housing indicate growth in each respective industry. Stock Market Falls Amidst Coronavirus Concerns Coronavirus concerns have caused a tremendous shift for […]
Do You Need Title Insurance if You Buy with Cash?
The purpose of title insurance is to protect you, the home buyer, from ownership disputes caused by title defects. Many financial lenders require buyers to purchase title insurance. But do you need title insurance if you buy with cash? In short, the answer is yes. Regardless of your payment method, problems with your title can still arise. […]
February 2020 Market Updates
January threw a variety of obstacles at investors around the world. Tensions seemed to flare between the United States and Iran, negotiations on trade continued between the U.S. and China, the coronavirus spread to several countries, and impeachment proceedings continued in the Senate. Despite all of this, the stock market entered February at an all-time […]
How to Find a Good Title Agent
The home buying process should be a joyful one. The last thing anyone wants to worry about as they are closing their purchase is whether or not they have a true legal claim to the property. It may seem like a trivial concern; however, some estimates have claimed that 30% of all land titles have […]