David and his team have over 30 years of experience and knowledge of the title and real estate industry. Take that and combine it with top-notch service, and you’ve got a settlement company in the heart of Kennett Square that puts clients first before, during, and even after closing.

Read on to learn more about David, personally and professionally!

The Basics

Tell us a little about yourself (family, education, etc.):

I live in Kennett Square, the town I grew up in, with my wife, three children and one dog. I went to Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia and law school at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, in Lansing, Michigan.

How did you start out in the title/real estate industry? What did you do before co-owning Madison Settlement Services in the Brandywine Valley?

After college, and prior to going to law school, I worked at The Vanguard Group for seven years. After law school, I worked at another law firm/title company and learned the title world there.

Madison Settlements Kennett Square

What made you decide to co-own and open a Madison Settlements location in Kennett Square?

I always wanted to own my own title company, and Madison Settlements was a perfect fit for me. The cohesiveness of the different branches and the ability to work with many experienced title agents was a huge draw. The corporate structure of Madison Settlements allows us on the local level to concentrate on the services we provide our valued clients.

Why should a client work with you and your team?

When you work with Madison Brandywine Valley, you will partner with closing agents and title examiners who know real estate laws, customs, and markets inside and out. We are committed to thorough record searches and secure handling of your money and information. You will receive accurate and on-time processing of your transaction by the best people (Nydia Brison) in the industry.

With your background and experience in law, how does that benefit the daily operations of your location?

I am able assist our clients with the difficult legal issues that may arise during the transaction. Whether it is an estate/inheritance tax matter or interpretation of different documents, my legal background adds to the services that our branch can provide in the title process.

Best thing you’ve learned (so far) as a co-owner of this company?

Never assume that a cash deal is going to be easy.

On a Personal Note

Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?

My father, David L. Myers, has had by far the most influence on my professional career. He was also an attorney, and during the time I worked with him, prior to his retirement, I learned so much about the profession. Not only the work, but also how to treat people. He is such a well-respected individual in our community. I have always strived to continue his fine example.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Kennett Square?

We have so many great restaurants in Kennett Square, that is tough to answer. My wife and I love eating at La Verona, not only because their food is always delicious, but my wife loves the generous wine “pour”.

Time travel or read minds – which would you choose and why?

Time travel. I think you can do more public good with the ability to travel into the past and the future. In addition, you can make some good investment choices to better your financial situation. Just like Forrest Gump, I would buy some stock in a “fruit company” back in the 1980’s.

What TV show or shows are you currently watching that you can’t get enough of?

I don’t watch many shows, more sports. My wife and I just finished Ozark, which was great. We are now watching Stranger Things, with two more episodes to drop. Sometimes after work you just need some mindless entertainment. (We couldn’t agree more on that, David!)

The post Location Spotlight: Madison Settlement Services Kennett Square PA appeared first on Madison Settlement Services LLC.

Show Me the Money – What’s Your Budget?

Our first tip in the homebuying process is to determine your budget. Be realistic about the price range you are looking for in a home. Stick to a firm number. If the house is going above how much you’re comfortable spending, don’t stress – they’ll be more. And if a home is under your budget, but is in dire need of repairs or updates, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of what you’re willing to financially put into fixing it up.

The closing process will also add up with other fees and costs during the homebuying process. Remember to take that into consideration when planning on how far you want to stretch your dollar.

The Mortgage Process

Getting pre-approved will also help you not only with your budget but will give you a much better idea on the max you can spend on a home. Working with a lender or broker will help determine what rate you’re pre-approved at based on your income, debt, etc. Don’t be afraid to shop around and explore your mortgage options as well.

Here’s another great tip: check and strengthen your credit score. There are tons of free credit score checking software systems that you can use. Easy ways to increase your credit include paying your credit card statements in full each month, keep your credit usage low, and limit your requests for new credit (i.e., opening any new accounts like a car or other loans).

Find a Local Real Estate Agent

Our next tip on the first-time homebuying process is to find a real estate professional! Not only do they listen to your house wants and needs, but they also represent you during the entire homebuying process. Whether that’s through showing you homes, helping you in negotiations, or teaching you about the entire homebuying experience, we couldn’t recommend finding a real estate agent more! They are true lifesavers during the process, particularly for first-time homebuyers.

Home Inspection

If possible, pay for the home inspection. This prevents you from hidden repairs and problems that might be within the home or on the property. Here’s a life example for yours truly. When my husband and I were shopping for our first home, we found a great starter home within our budget. Thanks to our real estate agent, she found us a fantastic home inspector. Did we want to pay that additional cost (since we were on a very, very tight budget)? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely. The home inspector was beyond thorough with the home we were ready to buy.

And what did he find? About $30,000 in repairs and updates that we couldn’t see with our own eyes. Mold. Bad wiring. Roof holes. Leaks in the ceiling. You name it, he found it. That additional $30k was NOT in our budget and we passed on the home. With zero regrets.

Title Insurance, Escrow, & Moving In

To add another real-life story, my husband and I also purchased title insurance when we closed on our starter home. Two years later when we refinanced, the settlement company found a mortgage issue on the property from about 15 years prior. That unpaid second mortgage would have become our problem financially had we not had title insurance to cover this unexpected issue on the title of the property. Do yourself a favor and purchase title insurance.

Once you’ve found your home thanks to your agent, the home has been inspected, and you have purchased title insurance, it’s time to go to escrow! This is an exciting time in the homebuying process as you are almost to the finish line.

After everything is all clear to continue and you have signed all the documents, it’s time to move in. Don’t forget to change your address with the post office and bank. Some settlement companies even offer a moving-in checklist!

And there you have it! Our top homebuying process tips for first-time buyers. Feel free to connect with our Madison Settlement Services team today to help you with your homebuying process.

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What You Get When Working with Us

A commercial purchase is no small feat or deal. Hunting for the perfect property and commercial real estate space can be quite the task. But once you’ve found the perfect spot, you then have to work on making it yours. That’s where we come in.

Madison Settlement Services Experts

With your commercial purchase transaction, the skilled and expert team at Madison Settlements will work directly with our staff attorney to ensure a smooth experience. (It doesn’t hurt that our attorney has a proven history in the commercial real estate realm as well.) Our on-site attorney works diligently to get you to closing on your commercial property within your specific time-frame.

What else can we do? Glad you asked! Our team works on the title exam process, the legal review aspect, title insurance, closing cost estimations, and then some. That way, when it’s time to close, you will have absolute peace of mind knowing that we prepared everything behind the scenes efficiently and effectively. Once the paperwork is signed, the space will officially be completely yours. This means no potential legal or title issues in your future!

In Summary

A commercial purchase is a pretty big deal and a very large investment. This is why we take your purchase seriously. If you’re looking for a smooth transaction from start to finish, as well as a title company that is backed by leading underwriters such as WFG, Old Republic National Title, and First American look no further. Contact our Madison Settlement Services team today to get you all set up and ready to go with your commercial real estate purchase!

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Will There Be Another Housing Crash?

There’s no doubt about it that the past two years created one crazy ride in the real estate market. Not only were refinances at a serious high, but buying a home was also off the hook. Since then, there have been concerns such as low inventory and increased interest rates. But if you look back in time, mortgage interest rates in the ’80s were approximately 20%. That’s a lot of interest right there.

Whether you’re an agent, a lender, homebuyer, home seller, refinancer, etc., we understand the concerns. Take solace in the fact that the housing market today is nothing like it was back in 2008. As serious as it was then, we did come out learning what not to do with the real estate market.

What’s Different This Time?

Years ago, people got away with getting a mortgage loan with a low credit score. Lenders then were not as particular about loans if your credit was on the lower end. Flash forward to today where lenders are more careful. If you currently have low credit, some of our favorite tips include: paying credit card statements off in full monthly, keeping your credit usage down, and trying to limit your requests for new credit.

Home Inventory

During the housing crash in 2008, home inventory was in oversupply with little demand. Meanwhile, today, the housing market is experiencing an under-supply with high demand. While low inventory is not the fuzziest feeling to read about or deal with, it’s certainly a more positive outlook for the economy in general. If you’re looking to buy or sell your home, make sure you work with a real estate professional!

Foreclosures Are Different Now

Foreclosures many years ago were in the millions. But that situation today is very different. Over the past four years, new foreclosures have been roughly under 300,000. That’s a big jump in numbers!

Final Thoughts & Advice

As the housing industry continues to evolve, there is no need for fears of another housing crash.

Our best advice to home buyers and sellers? Stay adamant, don’t give up, realize that a home is the best investment you can make for your future, and work with a wonderful agent and lender. Also don’t forget to purchase title insurance. This market is still crazy and hot, but you never know what issues might happen once the paperwork is done. Title insurance protects you, don’t neglect it!

And our best advice to agents and lenders? Keep up the awesome work. Stay constantly in the know of the market. And work on ways to expand your business via marketing tools and strategies. If you need a title/settlement team that’s got your back from start to finish, connect with the experts at Madison Settlement Services today.

The post Worried About a Housing Crash? Don’t Be! appeared first on Madison Settlement Services LLC.

Why Should You Refinance Your Home

In a previous blog post, we discussed how many times you can refinance your home and why you should do so. But since we already have your attention, residential refinancing can help do a few things. It can lower your monthly mortgage, shorten the term length of your loan, or provide you with a sum of cash (based on your home’s equity). The choice is yours once you receive feedback from the lender.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Refinancing does not typically take as long as a normal homebuying process. In fact, it takes approximately 30 to 45 days to complete. You begin the process by reviewing which refinancing route you want to go with. Then apply for it through a lender. Once you have your documents together, the lender will look over everything and let you know their current refi rates.

From there, you can decide if you want to lower your payments, decrease the loan length, or just choose a cash-out refinance option. It’s up to you and what makes the most sense (cents) financially! Also, it’s important to know that you can always shop around with lenders to see different rates.

Choose Madison Settlement Services for Your Residential Refinancing

As you go through the residential refinancing process, the Madison Settlement Services team will deliver the lender and the customer the best service and practices. Our skilled and experienced team gives the same amount of care and attention to refinances as we do on purchases. No matter which Madison Settlements location you choose to refinance with, we will go above and beyond to get you closed on your new refinanced option as soon as possible.

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Here are our top Instagram tips for real estate agents.

Instagram for Real Estate Tip #1: High-Quality Images

If you’re reading this, chances are you have a cell phone that can take AMAZING pictures. Even better? The most recent and up-to-date cell phones provide high-quality images especially for when you’re in a pinch and need an image or images on the fly. There’s also nothing wrong with using a name-brand camera either. Whatever works to get you that high-quality shot or shots!

Before videos, reels, and stories, Instagram was a visual platform designed for others to simply share images (with filter options).

Keep in mind, your photos should have a few ‘Great’ things.

1. Lighting
2. Staging
3. Placement

A well-lit room that’s clean and staged accordingly to the house and the placement of where you’re shooting the image (straight-on, no weird angles) will take your listing photos up a serious level for your real estate business Instagram presence.

Instagram Tips for Real Estate Agent #2: Your Handle & Bio

When choosing a handle (a.k.a. the name of your Instagram that others will see), make sure it’s straight and to the point. Something simple like your realty business name. Or your name with ‘agent’ or ‘realtor’ in it. Make it a name that easily identifies you to the public. Choose a professional photo of yourself. You could also use the logo of your real estate business as the profile picture instead.

Also, don’t leave your bio hanging. That’s one of the first things people read/see when they visit your profile. Very briefly explain who you are and what you do. You can even add the business slogan in there as well. Add a link to your business website as well. If you have more than just the website you want listed, we recommend a software service such as Linktree where you can add multiple/customized links for people to click on.

Tip #3: Video Is Your (Best) Friend

Using videos on your social media platforms attracts more attention and even increases engagement compared to image/text posts. Looking for ideas? Take out your phone and start filming short videos showcasing rooms or the best features of your latest listing(s). Or do a video of yourself discussing real estate market news and updates. If it’s authentic and it represents your real estate business, that’s what matters.

However, video can be tricky if you’re not used to it. Our team put together an awesome blog and video giving you all the tips and tricks on how to make real estate videos that stand out from the competition!

We also include reels in this section. They’re a fun and interactive way to add filters as well as music to your videos and increase your engagement/noticeability on the app.

Instagram Tips for Real Estate Agents #4: Company/Agent Spotlights

As much as clients love seeing pictures and videos of your listings, they also want to see the people behind the scenes. Do a spotlight every so often about yourself and your team. By doing so, you show your audience that there are actual humans on the other side of the social media app who work hard to get the job done.

Clients & Stories

Do you have excited clients who just closed on their house? Ask them for a picture and showcase their happy faces! This is a moment of joy, and it’ll mean the world to them that you got to capture it. Chances are, they’ll also probably appreciate if you share their happiness on your Instagram feed. It also shows potential clients what you can do for them.

Lastly, you know about Instagram stories. Don’t be afraid to use them. Share a recent post you did. Share a funny/relatable reel from another account. Show some behind-the-scenes action of life as a real estate agent, of your listings, of truly anything you think your audience would want to see on your professional account. It’s just another way to interact with clients and show them why they should work with you and your real estate business.

And There You Have It!

As a company with over 30 years of experience in the industry, these are our top Instagram tips for real estate agents. We hope you found them helpful and if you have anything you’d like to add (what works, what does not work, etc.), feel free to share them in the comments section!

And if you’re looking for a settlement company to help get your clients to closing efficiently and effectively, look no further. Our Madison Settlements team is always here for you.

The post Our Top Instagram Tips for Real Estate Agents: How to Attract & Keep Clients appeared first on Madison Settlement Services LLC.

First Step: Claim Your Business

In order to gain traction on Google, you must claim your business first and foremost via business.google.com. It takes next to no time to get it all set up. Once the business has been claimed by you, the owner, then you’re in and can get started on optimizing your Google Business page. Name your company simply what it is. Keep it short and to the point because Google loves authenticity and accurate information.

Follow that with adding your address, areas that you service (Sam does an excellent job breaking down more SEO-friendly tactics on this in the video below), a correct phone number for people to call you, and your business hours. Make sure your business hours are accurate so clients have a better idea when to connect with you. These are the first easy steps on how to optimize a Google Business profile.

Next: The Details

As a real estate agent or lender, you already know that details are everything in this business. And that includes your Google Business page. Add in your services (i.e. real estate agent, brokerage, etc.). This will help people know what services you provide. The primary category is especially an important keyword to have in order to have SEO meta tags. These meta tags will allow Google to communicate with your website as well. Thus, this gets you a higher ranking spot on Google. Which helps people find you and will lead to more business.

Also, if your office is located in a large building with other offices, it’s helpful to add EXACTLY where people can find your office by adding that information into your Google Business page. Details are everything! You don’t want clients roaming the building and then giving up finding you/your office out of frustration.

Lastly, make sure you add your PNG logo in the image section. You can even add pictures of your office (inside and outside), and this also allows your clients to add pictures too.

Third: Your Website & Posts

If you’ve got a website, add that as well in order to optimize your Google Business profile. You can add a link to a Contact Us page instead of a main website page. Or, if you’re an agent working with other agents in a Realty/Lending business, link it to your specific webpage and bio/contact information.

Did you know that you can add posts? That’s right. Adding posts on your Google Business page will increase your Google ranking too! If you’re posting on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc., you might as well just go ahead and post on your Google Business profile as well.

Five-Stars or One-Star: Respond to Those Reviews!

Reviews are literally everything. These set you apart from competitors. The good, the bad, and the ugly. All reviews are great ways to boost your Google profile and search results. Got a bad review? Turn that frown upside down (per Sam) and use that as an opportunity to make things right. Other clients will see that as a humbling way you reacted to a situation and will certainly make them more likely to contact you regardless of a bad review. Have good reviews? Reply to those too. Essentially, make it a point to reply to ALL of your reviews.

Want More?

Listen, we missed some key points because there is so much information to share. If you want all the info and all the insight into boosting your Google ranking, check out the entire webinar below!

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From beginning to end of the settlement process, Dawn’s accommodating and kind presence makes you feel comfortable and right at home. (Even as you’re about to finalize buying one!)

Let’s get to know the Co-Owner/Manager of Madison Settlements Carlisle a little bit more, shall we?

A Little Background:

Let’s start with the basics. Tell us a little about yourself (background, family, etc.):

I have been married for 35 years and have two beautiful daughters. I love the Carlisle PA area and am happy I get to be involved in this community.

Moving To Madison Settlements Carlisle:

How did your journey begin at MSS Carlisle?

I started with Madison Settlements in 2005 as a Branch Manager. In 2012 I became Co-Owner/Manager of Madison Carlisle.

What’s a typical day as the Manager/Co-Owner look like for you?

In the Title Business I am not sure any day is typical. Most days are spent on the road traveling to closings. My two wonderful employees are in constant communication with me so we can keep all files on track for closing day.

What separates Madison Settlements Carlisle from other title companies?

We have a special relationship with our clients. They are family to us and not just a “deal” that comes through our door. We respect and adore each and every one. Because of that, our team is a combined unit throughout the entire title process.

Is there any one thing you enjoy the most about being the Co-Owner/Manager at the Madison Settlements Carlisle office?

To be honest, I really enjoy closings and interacting with first time home buyers. Sometimes there’s nothing quite like watching their excitement once that last piece of paper is signed and they get handed the keys to their new home. I also thoroughly enjoy my relationship with our clients. We have the best clients out there.

Getting More Personal:

What do you like to do on your days off?

I spend my time off with my family!

Is there one item you can’t live without? If so, what is it and why?

The Blessings that I receive on a daily basis both professionally and personally.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Oh boy, this is a hard one! I have received a lot of great advice over the years but I believe the one that stands out the most would be from my parents. And that’s “Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do something” and “Always do your best no matter what the task”.

Any interesting or fun future plans (personally and/or professionally)?

Our oldest daughter is having our first grandchild any day and I am beyond excited to become a grandmother. Our youngest daughter is getting married and we will be blessed with an additional son-in-law.

Life is great and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

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Madison Settlements and the Residential Purchase Process

Whether you’re the homebuyer, the realtor, or the mortgage originator, our team has your back from start to finish. We coordinate the entire closing process to ensure a seamless experience. Meaning, we go the extra mile when it comes to residential purchasing.

How Do We Go the Extra Mile?

When it comes to a residential purchase, we customize our service to what best suits our customers’ and clients’ needs. Need to close after hours? No problem. Our team will be at our office ready to make it happen. Need to close in a home or another office? Again, not a problem. We’ll be there!

Other Benefits of Residential Purchasing Through Madison Settlements

Our expert staff believes that timely communication is vital when a residential purchase is in progress. We’re ready to answer any questions from homebuyers, realtors, and lenders at a moment’s notice.

Along with effective communication, we provide faster turnaround times than other agencies because we are attorney-owned and operated. No long wait times or drawn-out homebuying processes here! And thanks to having an attorney as our CEO, we are also able to provide you with legal advice in case any issues arise during the residential purchasing transaction.

Lastly, for our lenders, we offer customized processing solutions for you!

And Don’t Forget

As our team works hard during the entire residential purchasing process, don’t forget to purchase title insurance to protect your property. For a one-time small fee, title insurance will cover you and the residence you are buying for the entire length of ownership. The peace of mind alone from purchasing title insurance is priceless.

The post Services We Offer Part One: Residential Purchasing appeared first on Madison Settlement Services LLC.

Title insurance is a way to protect yourself and any future heirs from potential loss financially when it comes to the title of a property. A title insurance policy helps cover any legal-related expenses in cases where there’s a defect in the property’s title. Defects on the title of a property are something that an average person cannot see. That’s where the title experts come in!

Title Insurance Is Your Friend

We know your plate is full when purchasing a home/property. But trust us when we say that buying title insurance is one fee you’ll never regret paying during the process. The peace of mind alone is priceless! And title insurance is only a one-time fee. Not monthly, not annually. Just once and done. But it covers you and the property for the length of ownership.

Purchasing title insurance is not the most fun part of homebuying, but it is necessary. With that, let’s finally find out how much title insurance costs.

What Is the Cost of Title Insurance?

Essentially, the cost is based on the purchase price of your home. It is also based on which state you are purchasing the property. So, pricing technically varies.

As an example, the average homeowner’s title insurance policy on a $200,000 property in California is around $830. That’s it! Think of the potential financial loss and headache that an $830 title insurance policy could save you down the line with your home.

Standard title insurance policies cost a homebuyer an average of 0.5% of the home’s purchase price.

Our amazing team at Madison Settlement Services works hard to ensure that you and the title of your property is completely covered. As we know, stuff happens in life. Don’t forego the one-time cost of title insurance. Its value will never diminish.

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