Episode 22 (Behind the Curtain: The Role of Title Companies in Homebuying): In The Rundown, Michael and Brad highlight the latest mortgage news and real estate market stats. Michael makes his next prediction for where interest rates are headed. Brad reviews the March year-over-year plus the last 7 days of real estate market activity and how the market is trending. In The Scoop, we're joined by a special guest and title attorney - Tom Drechsler of Sage Title Group. We discuss the work title companies do to ensure buyers can legally buy and sellers can legally sell a house. In this week's The Unreal, we talk about the impact a single person had on inflation in Sweden (can you guess who it was?). In The Spotlight we feature Linwoods in Owings Mills! You can get everything from a burger or pizza to lobster tempura to sea bass to rib eye. They're on Instagram at @linwoodsrestaurant, or call them at (410) 356-3030, or find them on the web at www.linwoods.com. Check them out! Episode Highlights Brad talks more slowlyHope everyone had a fantastic Father's Day!How we spent our Father's Days[00:03:55] THE RUNDOWN (Mortgages)[00:07:30] THE RUNDOWN (Real Estate)[00:12:05] So what is a skoonch (and how do you spell it)?[00:17:10] THE SCOOP (Behind the Curtain: The Role of Title Companies in Homebuying)[00:17:22] Buyers have the right to choose their title company in a home purchase[00:21:40] What's the 50,000-foot level overview of the title process?[00:28:40] What tools and sources do title companies use in their work?[00:39:35] Title insurance overview and why you need itLink for Maryland State Insurance Commission info on title insurance: https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/titleinsurancebrochure.pdf [00:48:06] How title companies handle escrow funds (and fraud advice)[00:53:33] What do you actually sign at the settlement table?[00:56:22] How title companies ensure the property transfers legally to the right parties[00:59:30] What happens after the settlement?[01:02:00] How long does it really take to do the title work (and what can slow things down)?[01:05:37] Strange things that happen in title work[01:08:30] Things real estate agents should look out for related to title[01:10:50] Final thoughts from Tom Drechsler[01:12:35] THE UNREALThe unexpected impact of a single person on inflation in Sweden[01:16:10] THE SPOTLIGHTLinwoods in Owings Mills![01:18:55] Final thoughts Next episode - Insuring Your Home: Top 10 Insider Tips (another special guest!) Hosts Michael Becker, Sierra Pacific MortgageNMLS #200085 Michael.Becker@spmc.com (443) 310-0012 (m) / (410) 252-9000 (office) https://lo.sierrapacificmortgage.com/michael-becker Brad Cox, The Vesta Group of Long & Foster Real EstateMD Lic #652795 Brad@HomesByVesta.com (410) 375-7550 (m) / (410) 583-5700 (office) https://www.bradcox.realtor/ Our Guest Tom Drechsler, Sage Title Group (410) 821-4510 (office) https://www.sagetitlegroup.com Links Michael Becker, Sierra Pacific Mortgage Brad Cox, The Vesta Group of Long & Foster Real Estate @berealmdpod