Mortgage Rates Fall on Fixed Mortgages – Massachusetts

Friday, November 12th, 2010

The following report is in regards to fixed mortgage rates.

The mortgage rate bar is even lower, but few home buyers are making the jump. Rates on fixed mortgages again fell to their lowest levels in decades this week, Freddie Mac said yesterday.

That marked more than a half-year of record lows. But housing activity has still faltered.

Stiff headwinds — unemployment, foreclosures, and tight credit — are undermining the attractive rates. Home sales logged their worst summer in decades, with third-quarter sales falling by 21 percent from a year earlier, the National Association of Realtors said. Median home prices fell in half of US cities in the July-to-September period. And banks are on pace to take back more than 1 million homes this year, RealtyTrac Inc. says.

The average rate on 15-year fixed loans, a popular choice for refinancing, fell to 3.57 percent from 3.63 percent, Freddie Mac said — the lowest since the survey began in 1991. The average rate for 30-year fixed loans fell to 4.17 percent from 4.24 percent last week. That’s the lowest on records dating to 1971.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac collects rates from lenders across the country Monday through Wednesday of each week.

Source: http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2010/11/12/mortgage_rates_continue_record_slide/?camp=misc:on:share:article

How to Shop for Title Insurance in Massachusetts

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

How To Shop For Title Insurance in Massachusetts

Are You Really Getting Such A Great Deal?

Beware of Junk Fees

Title insurance is only one of several fees that fall under the label of: “title charges.”  Generally, you must also pay attorney fees, title examination fees, courier fees and recording fees. While some title companies offer discounted title insurance rates, they may be charging you higher fees for other costs.

When you get to closing you realize that you have been the victim of a bait and switch. The $200 savings on title insurance was offset by an inflated title examination or other miscellaneous fee.

Kane Title Services provides you with all of our fees upfront. No hidden fees, no surprises…

What About Their Customer Service?

The old adage: “You get what you pay for;” generally applies to title companies offering discounted title insurance. Most discounted rate title insurance companies handle closings throughout the United States and are located in remote parts of the country.

Little in the way of personalized attention is given to you or your file. Your phone calls and emails may go unreturned, causing you unnecessary aggravation. When it comes time to close your loan, they may not be able to find an attorney to close when and where you need to.

At Kane Title Services, Attorney Jason Kane personally oversees every file and is available to answer your questions at any time. He can be reached 7 days a week via phone, email, or instant messaging. Kane Title Services does everything possible to schedule your closing at a time and place that is convenient to you. This includes weekends and evenings.

Do You Want A Notary Public Handling Your Closing?

Many title companies offering discounted title insurance rates are doing so by cutting corners. In many instances they are using notaries rather than attorneys to close transactions. In most states anyone over 18 who is a registered voter can become a notary public. However, attorneys must undergo seven years of rigorous post secondary education and pass the state bar examination.

An attorney can provide you with legal advice. A notary is not qualified to do so. If you have any questions about what you are signing at your closing, you may have to simply take the mortgage companies word on the loan terms.

The notary public can only tell you where to sign and witness your signature. This practice results in many people signing documents that they do not understand. Many borrowers have been deceived by dishonest mortgage companies into signing documents that were different than what they verbally agreed to.

At Kane Title Services, only a licensed real estate attorney will handle your closing. Rest assured that you will have all documents explained to you in simply, easy to understand words.

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Call us toll-free at 1-877-380-7650 to discuss your Massachusetts Real Estate Closing or

Click Here to Request a Massachusetts Title Insurance Quote.

Kane Title Services provides you with all of our fees upfront. No hidden fees, no surprises…