Skip to content

The DMV Title Guy Blog

Title Insurance & DMV Closing Insights

Straight answers on title insurance, closing costs, and settlement for buyers, agents, and lenders across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

85 articles · written by Will Rapuano, Pruitt Title LLC

Browse by topicSwipe for more →

Showing 13 of 85 articles

Featured
EducationNovember 3, 2026 · 5 min read

Fake Purchase Contract Scams: How Title Companies Spot Them

A fake buyer, a generic contract and an oversized deposit. How the fake-contract scam aimed at title companies works, and how to check a deal is real.

Read article

More Articles

12 of 84 posts
Closing CostsOctober 17, 2026 · 6 min read

First-Time Homebuyer Closing Tax Breaks: MD vs DC vs VA

Maryland buyers can pay no transfer tax, DC cuts recordation to 0.725%, and Virginia has no closing-tax break. What each saves on a $600,000 home.

Closing CostsOctober 17, 2026 · 7 min read

Montgomery vs Prince George's County Closing Costs (2026)

Prince George's County costs more in transfer and recordation tax below about $775,000; Montgomery costs more above it. Rates, totals and who pays.

Settlement/ClosingOctober 17, 2026 · 6 min read

Title Company or Attorney for Closing? VA, MD and DC

You don't need your own attorney to close in Virginia, Maryland or DC. Who can run a closing in each, DC's deed rule, and when to hire a lawyer anyway.

Closing CostsOctober 17, 2026 · 7 min read

Virginia vs Maryland vs DC Closing Costs for Buyers (2026)

On a $600,000 home, a buyer's taxes run about $3,600 in Fairfax County, $6,725 in Montgomery County and $8,700 in DC. Side-by-side breakdown.

Title InsuranceOctober 13, 2026 · 2 min read

525 New Affordable Homes Coming to Tysons: What Buyers Need to Know

525 affordable housing units are coming to Tysons near Greensboro Metro. Here's what buyers need to know about title insurance for new construction, income restrictions, and metro-adjacent properties.

Closing CostsOctober 6, 2026 · 6 min read

Escalation Clauses and Closing Costs: What Changes When Your Offer Goes Up

An escalation clause raises more than the price. How it changes transfer and recordation taxes and title insurance in VA, MD and DC, and how to plan for an appraisal gap.

Closing CostsSeptember 23, 2026 · 10 min read

The DC Real Estate Contract: How a Washington, DC Home Purchase Contract Works

How a DC home purchase contract works: the GCAAR form set, seller disclosures, condo resale rights, TOPA for tenant-occupied homes, lead paint and taxes.

Closing CostsSeptember 23, 2026 · 9 min read

Maryland First-Time Homebuyer Transfer Tax Exemption: Who Qualifies and What It Saves

First-time Maryland buyers pay no state transfer tax. The seller pays a halved rate. Who qualifies, the sworn statement, and what it means for county taxes.

Closing CostsSeptember 23, 2026 · 10 min read

The Maryland Real Estate Contract: How the Standard Residential Contract of Sale Works

How the standard Maryland residential contract of sale works: deposits, contingencies, disclosure and HOA/condo rescission rights, and transfer taxes.

Title InsuranceSeptember 21, 2026 · 9 min read

Title Company for Military and Out-of-State Relocation to Northern Virginia

PCSing or moving to Northern Virginia from out of state? You can close without being here, you choose the settlement agent, and VA loans limit what you can be charged. What to line up first.

Title InsuranceSeptember 21, 2026 · 9 min read

Title Insurance for FSBO Buyers in Northern Virginia: What Happens With No Agent

Buying directly from the owner in Northern Virginia? Virginia law gives you the right to choose the settlement agent, and your FSBO contract may not say so. What to order, and when.

EducationAugust 25, 2026 · 9 min read

Types of Property Surveys: A DMV Homebuyer and Closing Guide

Compare boundary surveys, location drawings, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, topographic surveys, and building plats—and learn which survey fits a DC, Maryland, or Virginia transaction.

Stay in the loop

Get practical title and closing guidance in your inbox.

Real estate marketing insights and title industry updates, delivered without the noise. Unsubscribe any time.