Homeowner’s insurance provides coverage in event of damage to your property. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover damage from fire, smoke, windstorm, hail and/or snow. Everyone’s homeowner’s insurance covers different damage to their property and you should (more…)

Tags: date of loss, homeowners insurance, statute of limitations

I attended a meeting this morning where it was announced that there had been a significant rise in title insurance claims in New York State.  These claims are made against title insurance policies issued to either the homeowner (if he/she purchased this optional policy at the time they bought their home) or the bank lending the money for their purchase or refinance (such a policy is always required by the bank). (more…)

Tags: identity theft, insurance fraud, title insurance claims, title insurance fraud

Though the Buffalo area has not been hit as hard by the mortgage crisis as other parts of the country, there are still many local people who are affected. Whether in a foreclosure situation or in negotiating with a lender to accept something less than the full mortgage debt that is owed (a “short sale”), a homeowner may end up having a portion of his or her mortgage debt forgiven by his or her lender. In the past, (more…)

Tags: foreclosure, mortgage crisis, short sale

A client recently shared with me an unsolicited offer he had received in the mail. The company offered to obtain (for a sizeable fee) a certified copy of the client’s deed of ownership to his property from the local county clerk. The offer stated that it was a good idea to have a copy of this valuable document, which is the single best indication that you own your own home. I agree with that statement, which is why all lawyers (more…)

Tags: deed scam, real estate, record retrieval