Question 1

Do I need a real estate attorney to close in Virginia or North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

In North Carolina, closings must be conducted by a licensed attorney. It's state law. Virginia doesn't require one, but an attorney-led closing gives you legal representation a title company can't offer, usually at a comparable cost.

Question 2

What's the difference between earnest money and a down payment?

Accepted Answer

Earnest money is a deposit paid when the contract is signed, showing you're serious about the purchase. It's held in escrow and applied toward your costs at closing. The down payment is the portion of the purchase price you pay upfront at settlement, separate from your loan.

Question 3

How long does closing usually take once we have a ratified contract?

Accepted Answer

Financed purchases typically take 30–45 days from contract to closing, largely set by the lender's underwriting timeline. Cash deals can move much faster, sometimes in a week or two, once title work is complete.

Question 4

What is title insurance, and do I actually need it?

Accepted Answer

A title search catches most problems in the public record, but title insurance covers what the record doesn't show, like a forged deed or an heir nobody knew about. Lenders require a loan policy; an owner's policy is optional but protects your equity for as long as you own the property.

Question 5

Can we close remotely if I'm out of state or out of the country?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We handle mail-away closings and, where permitted, remote online notarization: the same file, the same attorney, just without you at our table in Virginia Beach.

Question 6

What if a title issue turns up right before closing?

Accepted Answer

Most title defects (an old lien, an estate that wasn't properly probated, a missing release) can be resolved before settlement once we know about them, which is exactly why we start the title examination the same day we open your file rather than the week before closing.

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