Q: I am getting into buying real estate. What is the most important part I need to do?
A: This is always a difficult thing to answer, as there are so many important things to be aware of when buying property. From inspections, to knowing the rights of the occupants, there are limitless issues that can arise. I would say, however, that the single largest step you must take is obtaining title insurance. Title insurance is the quickest way to protect the value of the asset you are buying. We have seen too many investors try to do quick deals, using quit claim deeds and avoiding title, only to find that they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on something that they don’t even own. Or they find out that they bought something, but the property is subject to countless liens. Buyers need to make sure that they are actually getting what they think they are buying.
Mark B. Zinman, Attorney