Articles

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From Due Diligence to E&O Insurance: How Real Estate Professionals Can Safeguard Their Careers

Key Takeaways Due diligence in real estate means verifying everything about a transaction — title, zoning, physical condition, financial performance — before committing to close. E&O (Errors & Omissions) insurance is not optional for licensed agents — it covers legal defense costs and settlements from negligence and misrepresentation claims. Document every material representation you make […]

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Blog — ATG Title

Real Estate Marketing Compliance Refresher

Key Takeaways RESPA prohibits kickbacks and fee-sharing arrangements between settlement service providers — violations can result in fines, license suspension, and civil suits. Fair Housing Act compliance is not just about protected classes in advertising — it includes steering, selective showing, and discriminatory appraisal practices. Social media real estate advertising has its own compliance layer:

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VRBO vs. Airbnb: Key Differences for Real Estate Investors

Key Takeaways VRBO and Airbnb have different fee structures, traveler demographics, and property type fit — Airbnb skews urban/shared spaces, VRBO skews vacation homes and whole-unit rentals. Short-term rental regulations vary dramatically by jurisdiction — check local zoning, HOA rules, and municipal licensing requirements before purchasing a property for STR use. STR income is less

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The Best Places to Invest in Real Estate in 2024 in the US

Key Takeaways The best real estate investment markets combine job growth, population inflow, housing supply constraints, and landlord-friendly regulation. In the DMV, Northern Virginia suburbs consistently rank among the top investment markets nationally due to federal employment stability and ongoing population growth. Cash flow positive markets (lower cost, higher rent-to-price ratios) and appreciation markets (high-cost,

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Navigating CRMs: Roadmap for Real Estate Agents

Managing customer relationships efficiently is important for growth and success. This is where Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems come into play, serving as invaluable tools to streamline processes, enhance communication, and drive revenue. With endless options available in the market, selecting the right CRM can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we’ve compiled a

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Maximize Your Productivity: Why Every Business Owner Needs a Virtual Assistant

Entrepreneurship is both thrilling and demanding.  For business owners constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, time is often the most precious commodity.  Freeing up valuable time can be a game-changer that allows them to focus on things that elevate their business and accelerate growth.  Knowing which responsibilities to handle or hand off can be a challenge for

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Exploring Business Formation Options for Real Estate Professionals

Key Takeaways The most common business structures for real estate professionals are sole proprietorships, LLCs, and S-Corps — each has different liability, tax, and administrative tradeoffs. An LLC protects personal assets from business liabilities, including client lawsuits and contract disputes, at relatively low administrative cost. S-Corp election can reduce self-employment tax for agents with consistent

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Articles Archives — ATG Title

A Landlord’s Guide to Securing Long-Term Tenants and Keeping Them Happy

Every landlord has the same goal— find a trustworthy tenant that they can depend on. There are some seriously costly issues that can arise when leasing a space to a bad tenant. It is important that when a landlord has finally found a good tenant, they can make sure to do whatever they can to

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commercial title insurance

Commercial Title Insurance is Different Than Residential & Vital

Key Takeaways Commercial title insurance is structurally similar to residential — one-time premium, lender’s and owner’s policies — but with stricter zoning and use scrutiny. Zoning rules change over time, so historic use does not guarantee current legal use — the title search must confirm the property is zoned for your intended purpose. Commercial policies

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durable power of attorney in real estate

Durable POA & Real Estate – Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways A durable power of attorney (POA) allows a designated agent to manage real estate transactions on behalf of someone who is incapacitated, traveling, or otherwise unable to be present. For real estate closings, the POA document must be reviewed and approved by the title company’s underwriter before the closing — submit it early,

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