First American Blog - The First Word
Welcome to First American’s blog featuring highlights on home ownership and title insurance. Please also be sure to visit and subscribe to our Innovation Center Blog, our Caring for Our Community Blog and our Economic Center Blog.

New forms expected to make comparing mortgage terms easier

The Know Before You Owe campaign, developed by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), is intended to assist consumers shopping for a mortgage by allowing them to take advantage of revamped and more easily comprehensible mortgage disclosure forms.

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Topics: Homebuyer and Seller Education

Tips for hosting a successful open house during the winter

Winter isn't traditionally the most popular time of the year to sell a house; the weather is cold and gray, and there's a good chance it will keep potential buyers from wanting to get out to look at homes. Spring is the most popular season for homebuying, but that doesn't mean you're out of luck if you’re looking to sell now.

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Topics: Homebuyer and Seller Education

What you may not know about the Good Faith Estimate (GFE)

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act requires a mortgage lender to issue a Good Faith Estimate to all potential borrowers. When you apply for a mortgage, make sure you receive this form from your lender.

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Topics: Homebuyer and Seller Education

What is a tolerance cure?

NOTE: The GFE is no longer used in mortgage transactions. Visit https://www.firstam.com/ownership/transaction-disclosures/ for information about the new disclosures.

Whether you're new to the homebuying process or a seasoned veteran, the concept of a tolerance cure might still be a little hazy to you. But it's an important to term to know, because...

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Topics: Homebuyer and Seller Education

Would you buy a haunted house?

Every night you hear the floorboards creak from footsteps when no one is home, and you swear you felt someone standing behind you only a moment ago. Living in a house with these kinds of creepy occurrences may not be appealing to most, but a recent survey from Realtor.com found that a number of Americans would actually be willing to buy a haunted...

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Topics: Homebuyer and Seller Education Industry News

10 Steps to Buying a Home [VIDEO] Part 2

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Topics: Homebuyer and Seller Education New Home Buying