Title Experts: 2011

Happy New Year from Capital Title

On January 23, the Chinese New Year kicks off year 4709 - the year of the dragon. The Hindu calendar will be ringing in the year 5113 and in September, the Jewish calendar will turn to the year 5773. And if you've been to Port Austin lately, they're still stuck in 1955. For the rest of us though, tomorrow night our very own Gregorian calendar brings us 2012.

Regardless of what calendar you follow (or if you're from Port Austin) I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Gregorian calendar New Year. Thank you for all your support in 2011, 4708, 5112, 5772 & 1955; it has been much appreciated by us here at Capital Title. We are grateful to be associated with an organization as great as Real Estate One.

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Quotable: Steve Jobs

Be a yardstick of quality.

Some people aren't used to an environment

where excellence is expected.

- Steve Jobs

Holiday Wishes

Word Search and Trivia Contest: Purchasing A Home

UPDATE: The answer to the trivia question

"In 2006, America's highest median home

price was in this city." is . . .

San Francisco

And the winner is Michelle C,

who works in Capital Title's Troy branch.

Congratulations Michelle!

Stay tuned for more chances to win prizes.

(Six people out of 13 who submitted answers to the trivia question guessed San Francisco. Montecito, CA, although not found in the puzzle, was also an acceptable answer based on information found here. Newport Beach, CA, another common answer, was the city with the highest median home price for 2005.)

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Happy Hanukkah

A Season of Gratitude

We are grateful for

Our Customers

agents ~ lenders ~ sellers ~ buyers

Our Staff

You make it happen.

Green Bean Casserole

It's tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Communication Tool: In Other Words

 Say What You Want To Communicate

In as Few Words As Possible

In Other Words . . .

Avoid Wordy Phrases

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3 Reasons to Close on a Tuesday

3 Reasons to Close on a Tuesday

Have you heard about Capital Title's newest program, Celebration Tuesdays? Here are a few reasons why scheduling your closing at a participating branch on a Tuesday in November and December would benefit your client:

Relaxed Atmosphere. Tuesdays are traditionally a light closing day for title companies and lenders.
Refreshments. Most branches are providing a light lunch or snack during the promotion.
Prizes. Each side of a qualifying transaction is entered in a drawing for one of two $100 Lowe's gift card.

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October 2011 Michigan Real Estate Market Update

The Market Report is a monthly recap of the sales, listings and supply for many counties in Michigan.

October's Report is now available at our sister-blog, Let's Talk Michigan Real Estate.

Celebration Tuesdays!

Introducing . . .

CELEBRATION TUESDAYS!

Let us help bring the celebration back to the closing table.

Schedule your closings on Tuesdays in November and December

in one of our 14 eligible closing locations*, and we'll enter your client

for a chance to win a $100 Lowes gift card.

Refreshments will also be provided.

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On a (Tootsie) Roll

Did you know that Halloween is the
2nd most commercially successful holiday?
(Christmas being the first)

Halloween is the largest candy-purchasing holiday in the U.S.

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Adjusting To a New Normal

Adjusting To a New Normal

The past five years have been the most challenging time frame in my 22 years in real estate services industries. Looking back to 2005, bank-owned properties were a tiny percentage of the business, leases were just as rare and the terms “short-sale” and “buy-side” didn’t even exist. Those items went from being less than 5% of our market to dominating the landscape in less than 30 months with “distressed” sellers peaking at about 85% of the marketplace. Not to mention that both lenders and title underwriters dramatically tightened their requirements in reaction to the tremendous fraud and defalcations that were exposed, those that survived bankruptcy anyway.

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About Us

Welcome to Abstract Thoughts, the official blog of Capital Title Insurance Agency, headquartered in Southfield, MI.

The contributors to Abstract Thoughts are part of the team of Title Experts at Capital Title. We have been serving the industry’s title and escrow needs since 1975 and are one of the largest title agencies in Michigan. It is Capital Title’s mission to be the number one title company in quality and service.

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Michigan Market Update

Michigan Market Update

August 2011 Michigan Real Estate Market Update

August brought us another month of good numbers in terms of homes sales and home values in Michigan. They both continue their (seasonally adjusted) upward trend in most all markets and price ranges. Click here for more details and cool charts.

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Why Do I Need Title Insurance?

Why Do I Need Title Insurance?

"Title Insurance . . . Why do I need that anyway?"

It's a question professionals in the title industry often hear.

When you purchase property, can you be sure the seller really owns it? How many mortgages does the seller have? Legal processes like divorce, probate, and trusts often affect real estate. A title company researches the property and ensures that all debts have been satisfied.

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