Buying a Home

Q: What is the first step to buying a home?

A: The first step is to receive a mortgage approval. This mortgage approval will determine how much you can afford and where your comfort zone is for your monthly mortgage payment.

Selling a Home

Q: What if I have a house to sell?

A: If you have a home to sell before you purchase a new one, I can help you market your home and get it sold. There are many different ways this can be accomplished, call me today and I can explain them to you. You will than have a better understanding on how it all takes place.

Title Insurance Questions

Q. What is title insurance?

A. Title insurance is an insurance policy that protects your legal right to own, possess, use control and dispose of land.

Q. Why is transferring the title to real estate different from transferring the title to other items, such as a car?

A. Transferring a real estate title can be complicated, because land is permanent and the usage of land and the rights to use it can change over years.

Q. What is a title search?

A. A title search is a detailed examination of the historical, public records concerning a property.  These records include deeds, court records, property and name indexes and many other public documents.

Q. Why do I need title insurance?

A. There are two types of title insurance policies a lender’s policy and an owner’s policy.  The lender’s policy is required for a mortgage, financially covers the amount of the loan, and provides protection to the lender.  An owner’s policy protects the landowner against any title loss, which ensures the value of the property. With title insurance, if a claim is made against the title, the underwriter must pay any and all costs associated with defense against the challenge, and if unsuccessful in that defense, reimburse the landowner for any reduction in the value of the land.

Q. Is title insurance as important as homeowner’s insurance?

A. Homeowner’s insurance typically provides protection against theft or damage.  If a fire destroys your home, you can rebuild and buy new possessions. If the title to the land fails, you could lose the right to inhabit your home as well as the land it occupies.

Q. How much does title insurance cost?

A. Title insurance charges vary in different sections of the country.  However, you pay for an owner’s policy of title insurance only once; there are no monthly premiums.

Q. How long does title insurance coverage last?

A. The lender’s policy of title insurance lasts until the mortgage is paid in full.  An owner’s policy of title insurance lasts for as long as you or your heir’s retain an interest in the property.

Q. Where can I get title insurance?

You can obtain title insurance from a licensed title insurance company or its agents operating in your state. 

A Title Insurance Company that I recommend and affiliated with is Elizabethtown Realty Settlement Services, LLP and they can provide all your title needs, whether buyer a home, selling a home or refinancing.Services are provided throughout the mid-state area. Conveniently located at 41 S. Market St, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, Phone: 717-367-8836, Fax: 717-367-9603.

Financing a Home

Q: How do I get approved for a mortgage?

A: I work with well known lenders in this area that can get you approved for a mortgage. Call me today and we can start the process!!

Q: What do I need to get a mortgage approval?

A: You will need the following documentation to receive a full mortgage approval: Last 2 yrs Income Tax Return (especially if you are self-employed), Last 2-3 pay stubs, any alimony/child support documentation, Last 3 months of bank statements including all accounts and any recent investment account statements.

Q: After I have a mortgage approval, what is the next step?

A: After the mortgage approval is completed, the next step is to call me and we can go and see the homes that interest you. The lender will provide me with a Prequalification Letter that needs to be submitted with any offer you submit on a home.

Q: Could you recommend any mortgage lenders?

A: Yes, here are a few lenders that I recommend:

Mark W. Pontz
Vice President
Arlington Capital Mortgage/Windsor Financial Mortgage

Phone: 717-581-8830 fax: 1-866-563-2558 or 717-581-0947
Mobile: 717-475-4444
Website: www.markpontz.com

About the Elizabethtown/Hershey/Lancaster Area

Q: What are the schools like in the area?

A: Go to www.greatschools.net to check the schools in the Hershey Lancaster Area

About home buyer tax credits

Q: Are there any home buyer tax credits?

A: Go to Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit 2009/2010

or Home Buyer Tax Credits