Category Archives: Military

Don’t make copies of military IDs

Posted on January 23, 2019 | Leave a comment

id-card-servicesWe live in a military town, and when people are asked for a photo ID, they often will show you their military ID.

If this is an ID that will be needed to be copied, ask for another photo ID; a passport or driver’s license is best.

The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and imprisonment.

It is OK to ask for one to visually ID someone, but under no circumstances can you photocopy or scan one unless you are from a government agency or law enforcement.

The reason is that no safeguards are in place to insure the card won’t be counterfeited or “cloned” based on a photocopy.

Getting or producing a military ID is considered a critical asset to have when planning and executing acts of terror or crime against the U.S. military.

See the links below for more details on the limitations.

http://www.army.mil/article/28452/photocopying-military-cac-ids-a-violation-of-federal-law

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title18/html/USCODE-2009-title18-partI-chap33-sec701.htm

Please here for a PDF of this Title Tip.

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Posted in Military, Title Tip of the Week

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VA Foreclosures and the Quit Claim Deed

Posted on May 15, 2014 | 3 comments

va foreclosed homes_05-05-2011Under normal conditions, you don’t want to close a property with just a Quit Claim deed, but there is an exception to this that has evolved over the last year.

Our underwriter will make an exception for VA foreclosures who are transferring with only a Quit Claim deed.

Buyers and their agents may be concerned that with a Quit Claim deed, that they may be taking on additional liability. As long as they have Owner’s Title Insurance, they should have no concerns, as the the underwriter will cover them the same as they would over other deeds.

One thing to keep in mind with all these foreclosures, though technically they are being sold by VA, it will take time for them to get the deed through the lending bank, to the VA, and then to the new buyer. This can extend the time to finalize the deal. Our processors and closers will keep you up to date on the process as it works its way through, but everyone should have a bit more patience when purchasing from the VA than in a normal file.

So, if you’re purchasing a VA foreclosure – close with Watson Title Services of N FL, get owner’s title insurance … and everyone should sleep well at night.

You can get the PDF of this tip here.

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Posted in Buying, Distressed Property, Military, Title Tip of the Week

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Don’t photocopy military IDs

Posted on February 24, 2014 | 1 comment

armedForcesWith additional military personnel coming to the area, and summer moving time just a few months away, expect even more military members to be your customers.

When it comes time to ask for a photo ID, make sure if you are going to be making a copy, that you ask specifically for anything but their military ID.

The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and imprisonment.

It is OK to ask for one to visually ID someone, but under no circumstances can you photocopy or scan one unless you are from a government agency or law enforcement.

The reason is that no safeguards are in place to assure the card won’t be counterfeited or “cloned” based on a photocopy. Being able to produce a military ID is considered a critical asset to have when planning and executing acts of terror or crime against the U.S. military.

See the link here for details, and you can get the PDF of this post here.

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Posted in Military, Title Tip of the Week

May I have a photo copy of your Military ID?

Posted on February 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

…. the right answer is a strong, “NO!”

There are a lot of military personnel in Northeast Florida, and there is a wrinkle to that fact that we should all keep in mind.

It is so common that it is almost part of the background noise to hear the phrase, “May I have a copy of your id?”

In the Title world, making a photo copy of an ID is an essential part of our closing process. Driver’s license, Passport or other official picture IDs should be the standard, but there is one ID no one should every photocopy; a military ID.

The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and imprisonment.

It is OK to ask for one to visually ID someone, but under no circumstances can you photocopy or scan one unless you are from a government agency or law enforcement.

The reason is that no safeguards are in place to insure the card won’t be counterfeited or “cloned” based on a photocopy. Getting or producing a military ID is considered a critical asset to have when planning and executing acts of terror or crime against the U.S. military.

For further details – please click here

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Getting Happy with HAP

Posted on December 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) is a very complicated program to help servicemembers who find themselves underwater in homes they need to sell due to being transferred. One of the programs inside HAP is the Government Acquisistion and Resale program. Following the bouncing ball is hard to do even for a pro, but I found this overview helpful to those looking to better understand that part of the process.

Government Acquisition and Resale Basic Steps

• Specialist receives Applicant file, makes initial contact with the Applicant
• Applicant responds to Specialist providing any information that has been requested
• Specialist reviews Applicant file, to verify all necessary documents are provided
• Specialist makes contact with Realtor and any other necessary parties and requests any additional information needed
• Funding to purchase the property is requested, reviewed, and approved
• Offer Letter is sent to Applicant
• Applicant Returns signed Offer Letter
• Specialist orders title work and closing documents
• Specialist writes a new sales agreement between the Buyer and the U.S. Government (this can only be done within 30 days of the actual closing date)
• New sales agreement is reviewed, approved, and emailed to Listing and Selling Real Estate agents
• Specialist receives signed sales agreement and then submits it for execution signature
• Executed contract is emailed to agents, lender, attorney, and applicant
• Specialist receives title work and closing documents from the HAP title company
• The title work and closing documents are reviewed and approved
• Mortgage payoff(s) are ordered by the Specialist
• Closing documents are written, reviewed and approved
• Approved closing documents are emailed to the Applicant (at this time the Specialist will provide the exact amount of certified funds that Applicant will be responsible to provide)
• Applicant reviews, signs, has notarized, and over nights these documents with the requested certified funds to the Specialist
• Specialist receives documents and certified funds
• Applicants has completed all steps necessary to close on the property, Applicant will not attend the closing between the U.S. and the Buyer
• Buyers closing attorney submits the final HUD to the Specialist for review and approval
• Approved HUD and conveyance deed is signed by the Chief of Real Estate
• Signed HUD and conveyance deed are sent to the closing attorney
• Buyer closes on the property with their attorney
• Specialist over nights payoff funds to the Applicants mortgage company(s)
• Applicants property has now been Acquired and Resold
Please note: This is only an overview of the Acquisition Program. It is intended to be used as an explanation tool only.

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Posted in Distressed Property, Military, Selling

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Tamika – Congrats!

Posted on May 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

One of the things I miss the most about being on active duty is helping my Sailors.

Well, in real estate I still have the chance to help out my Shipmates. In this case with my latest buyer’s success.

Tamika, congratulations on an accepted contract on your new home!

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Posted in Buying, Military

Military Tax Cuts Set to Expire

Posted on February 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

If you are active duty military, foreign service, or in one of the intelligence services, there is an outstanding tax credit that will expire if you don’t have a signed contract by 30 April 2011.

Recognizing their unique circumstances, Congress approved exceptions that give qualified members of the military, foreign service and intelligence communities an extra year to buy a home and claim the federal homebuyer tax credit. The exceptions apply to both the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and the $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who purchase another home.

Extension of Tax Credit Rules
• The homebuyer tax credit extension is available for qualified purchases with a binding sales contract in place on or before April 30, 2011, and closed by June 30, 2011. Qualified service members (and if married, the service members’ spouses) who served on official extended duty outside the U.S. for 90 days or more at any time between Jan. 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010, are eligible.
• A person forced to return to the U.S. for medical reasons before completing an assignment of at least 90 days of qualified official extended duty outside the U.S. may also qualify for the one-year extension.

Click here for Military Tax Credit Update flyer.

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Posted in Buying, Military

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