Title Tip: Are You Ready to Play 20 Questions on Real Estate?

Let’s play an old-fashion game of 20 questions – the real estate version. In this guessing game, all the answers are supposed to be a simple yes or no.

The challenge for most attorneys and escrow officers to answer just yes or no is because we are accustomed to elaborating on answers to allow for different situations. Therefore, I will preface by saying that these yes or no answers should all be followed by the word “usually” or the phrase “unless you have something in writing that says otherwise”.

Here are 20 common questions I am asked. How many can you answer correctly?  We’ve provided some articles as hints!

1. Does the seller get to choose the title company?

Title Tip: Who Chooses The Title Company?

2. Can I use a credit card, debit card, or Venmo for my earnest money or down payment?

How to Buy a Home With Good Funds

3. If the earnest money is not delivered on time, can the seller terminate the contract?

Title Tip: Earnest Money Delivery and Delays

4. Can I get the keys to the house the day before we close to start my remodel?

Title Tip: The Anatomy of a Texas Real Estate Closing

5. Can the IRS or county tax assessor take my home for not paying my taxes?

Title Tip: Texas Homesteads And Judgment Liens

6. Can a debt collector or contractor take my home for not paying them?

Title Tip: Texas Homesteads And Judgment Liens

7. Can I take back an offer made on a house if the seller has not signed the contract yet?

Title Tip: What Happens When You Rescind an Offer to Purchase?

8. Is it worth the trouble to file a homestead exemption on my home?

Title Tip: How to File For Your Homestead Exemption

9. Will paying cash for a house save me money?

Title Tip: The Romance of a Cash Offer

10. Does the title company have to accept the seller’s copy of a survey?

Title Tip: Do You Need a New Survey Every Time? It Depends.

11. Can an HOA forbid me from parking on the street or storing my boat in my driveway?

Title Tip: Are There Deed Restrictions On My Property?

12. Can I close on my house on a Saturday or Sunday?

Title Tip: Why Are Title Companies Closed on Weekends?

13. Does my Nest thermostat have to stay with the house when I sell?

Be Smart About Transferring Smart Home Devices After a Sale

14. May I take the curtains and curtain rods when I sell the house?

Title Tip: What You Can And Cannot Take With You When You Go

15. Do I have to tell the title company if I am single, married, divorced, or widowed?

Title Tip: Why Does The Title Company Need to Know if I’m Single or Married?

16. Do I need a paper copy of my title or deed?

Title Tip: Solicitations And Scams After Buying a Home

17. Are closing costs and title insurance higher in Texas than most other states?

Title Tip: 2019 Data Shows How Texas Ranks on Closing Costs

18. Can a title company refuse to close on my sale?

Title Tip: What Real Estate is Actually Unsellable?

19. If I do not have a current driver’s license, can I bring my social security card for my ID?

Title Tip: Do You Have Any Idea About Your ID?

20. Can I get a better price on the title insurance?

Title Tip: How Much Are Closing Costs?

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Answers

Add ‘usually’ to each of these answers:

1. No
2. No
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. No
7. Yes
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. No
11. Yes
12. No
13. Yes
14. No
15. Yes
16. No
17. No
18. Yes
19. No
20. No

The opinions expressed are of the individual author for informational purposes only and not for legal advice.