Real Estate

One of the most common questions I get asked as a residential real estate closing attorney is, “What can I do to protect the title to my home?” I wouldn’t be surprised if you as a Realtor also have been asked this question many times before by your clients and friends.

The short answer is NOTHING. There is nothing you can do to prevent someone from recording a fraudulent deed on the public record. You can, HOWEVER, sign up with the State of Georgia’s FREE Filing Activity Notification System (“FANS”). Please keep reading as there are other ways you can protect yourself against fraudulent deeds or security deeds filed on the real estate records.

So what is FANS? FANS was developed by the Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) as a valuable FREE tool that will notify you of certain filing activity on the Georgia real estate records.

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I am honored to be recognized as one of the Best Real Estate Closing Attorneys by Savannah Magazine. 

I’m REALLY posting this as an opportunity to thank my law partner Bailey Edwards and our entire team of paralegals who really are THE BEST! 

Thank you so much for everything!

As always, if you need help with anything (even if it does not relate to a closing in my office) please call me on my cell anytime (even nights and weekends).

While the landscape of college football has changed forever with the 12-team playoff, there is one thing that will never change: Filing for the Homestead Exemption.

If you are a Georgia resident who purchased a primary residence in 2024 (or made a prior owned property your primary residence as of December 31, 2024) and that property is located in Bryan, Bulloch, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh or Tattnall Counties, you should file for the Homestead Exemption now.  By filing for the Homestead Exemption, you will receive a reduction in your home’s assessed value. You only file the Homestead Exemption one time.  Please click your county’s link below for specific information on filing the Homestead Exemption. 

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“Do I need title insurance?” is one of the most common questions I am asked as a closing attorney. The answer is a resounding YES. Most individuals purchasing a home do not understand what title insurance is or how it can protect them from the issues that frequently arise in connection with a real estate closing. In fact, many of the most common title issues that occur are not anyone’s fault. But without an owner’s title policy, it can create issues for your client in the future. Since most people purchase an owner’s title insurance policy, we are able to rely on that policy to prevent most delays in connection with closing. I hope this article helps educate buyers on the importance of obtaining an owner’s title insurance policy at closing.

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