News & Insights

If you’re buying, selling, or refinancing a home, you’ll likely receive a document called an ALTA Statement during closing. While it may look intimidating at first glance, it’s actually one of the most helpful documents in a real estate transaction. At Excel Title Services, we believe understanding your closing documents helps make the process feel…

If you’ve ever purchased or refinanced a home, you may have come across the term “CPL” during the closing process. While it may sound like another complicated real estate acronym, a Closing Protection Letter (CPL) plays an important role in helping protect lenders — and in some cases buyers — during a transaction. At Excel…

If you’re buying a home, refinancing, or going through a real estate transaction, hearing the words “clear to close” can feel incredibly exciting — and maybe a little confusing. For many buyers, it sounds like the finish line. And while you’re very close, there are still a few important final steps before you officially get…

If you’re buying a home, refinancing, or navigating a real estate transaction, chances are you’ll hear the word “escrow” more than once. But what exactly does it mean? In simple terms, escrow is a neutral third-party account that temporarily holds funds and important documents until all parts of a real estate transaction are completed. Think…

Starting March 1, 2026, a new federal reporting rule will change what information must be collected and submitted in certain residential real estate transactions—especially all-cash (or otherwise “non-financed”) purchases involving trusts and entities. The rule comes from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and is designed to increase transparency in transactions that can be attractive for money laundering and…