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Consumer Information
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Why Title Insurance Is Needed When Refinancing a
Mortgage Loan
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Today's lower interest rates have spurred you to refinance your mortgage. Now
you can expect to reap the benefits of substantially reduced monthly mortgage
payments, but you can also expect to pay the lender the typical closing costs
associated with any mortgage loan.
Why? Because from the lender's standpoint, a refinanced loan is no different
than any other mortgage loan. So be prepared for service fees or points and
other expenses including a new charge for title insurance.
Title Insurance is Important When Refinancing
Why do you need to buy title insurance again even though you purchased a
policy when you first bought your home and there is no change in ownership?
It's because a separate policy is needed by the lender insuring the validity
of your mortgage when it is made.
For as long as you own the property your mortgage is valid, but it doesn't
insure the new mortgage created when you refinance, and it doesn't provide
protection against events that may have transpired between the time you
purchased the property and when it is refinanced.
For example, you may have taken out a second mortgage on the home that could
threaten the priority of the new lender's mortgage. Or, there could be legal
judgments against you or a mechanic's lien against the property by a supplier
who wasn't paid for home improvements.
Lenders also insist on a new title policy because many mortgages are packaged
as securities and sold to investors in the secondary mortgage market. Title
insurance is the only practical way to provide the assurance investors demand
and to ensure that the mortgages backing these securities are valid and
enforceable.
For your refinance transaction with the Chicago Title and Trust Family of
Companies, you may qualify for a special title insurance rate based on the
loan amount. There may be additional charges for recording fees, closing fees
and endorsements. Your lender can provide you with an estimate of these costs.
How to Prepare for Your Refinance Closing
Once you have made the decision to refinance your home, you'll want your transaction
to progress as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In an effort to avoid potential
problems and delays, consider the following points. Check with your real estate
agent to determine which ones apply to you.
- Bring a Cashier's or Certified check to the closing for the amounts you
must pay, not a personal check.
- Bring an original Homeowners Insurance Policy to the closing, along with a
paid receipt for the first year's premium. If you're refinancing a condo, bring
a Certificate of Insurance instead. A Certificate of Insurance can be obtained
from your condo association or property management company.
- Before the closing, contact your lender regarding any additional
requirements that must be satisfied PRIOR to closing.
- Bring personal identification that includes your picture and signature to
the closing.
- If you have an existing mortgage(s), a current pay off letter(s) must be
presented at closing. Contact your lender for instructions on how to obtain a
current pay off statement(s).
- If you are going to be paying off credit card balances at the closing, the
most current statements must be brought to the closing.
- If your property is a condo, bring an assessment letter from your condo
association or property management company to the closing.
- If your transaction requires a Notice of Right to Cancel, disbursement may
be delayed until the fourth day following the day of the closing.
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