Like many wise home buyers you now know to have your own settlement agent at the time of the settlement. If this agent is an attorney specializing in real estate settlements you will be even more protected. Here's another step you should take to protect yourself.

Most lending institutions will require you to have title insurance on your new property. Remember that the lenderÕs title insurance policy does not protect you. Neither are you protected by the previous owner's title insurance. So to protect yourself from some new unforseen claim it is best that you purchase your own title insurance. Here's how to save some money.

If you buy an owner's title insurance policy, it is usually much less expensive if you buy it at the same time and with the same insurer as the lender's policy. Bear in mind that the lender's title insurance doesn't protect you. So you should have your own policy. In the event that some new claim surfaces on the title of your property you will be fully protected.