Karen Daily Ekofo

Karen Daily Ekofo I am a settlement attorney at Ekko Title LLC in Northern Virginia. Real estate ended up being a better fit. EKKO Title Ashburn Office

Prior to real estate, I was a litigator and represented clients in business litigation, real estate, and personal injury.

09/18/2026

Have you ever asked yourself, Is this really necessary, or is it just another expense?
That's a question we get all the time when it comes to surveys.

I want to share something that happened to some of our clients, because I know a lot of you are facing that same decision right now.
Three years ago, some buyers purchased a large tract of land. They decided to skip the survey because the extra cost didn't seem worth it at the time. We get it, everyone's looking to save where they can.

Now, those same people are selling their property. And guess what? The new buyer did get a survey, and it revealed encroachments that they now have to deal with out of pocket. The same issues that could have been easily fixed from the start.
đź’¬ I'm not sharing this to scare you, but because we know what it's like to make big decisions without all the information. And that's exactly why we're here, so you don't have to go through this alone.

Have questions about buying or selling? Reach out to us, we work with trusted surveyors and we'll walk you through every step. You can also contact your local Ekko Title office directly, we're always happy to help.

08/24/2026

Going through a divorce while also selling your house? There's one detail a lot of people overlook, and it can create real headaches at closing.

When there's a marital settlement agreement, it sometimes includes a requirement that certain credit cards or personal loans (unrelated to the house) get paid off using the sale proceeds. The problem is that many of these agreements don't clearly spell out how that process should work.

Our recommendation: as soon as the sales contract is ratified, reach out to that creditor to request a payoff statement. This helps you avoid surprises and delays right when you need everything to go smoothly.

Going through a divorce and have questions about how this process works? Reach out to any one of us at EKKO Title, we're happy to walk you through it.

08/20/2026

A Big Change to Your Financing Contingency Every Buyer Needs to Know ⚠️

One of the most common questions buyers ask: "If I don't get approved for my loan, will I get my earnest money back?"

Great question, and the answer just changed. The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors updated the financing contingency, and it directly affects your protection as a buyer.

Here's what you need to know:

The financing contingency is what protects you. If you get denied for your loan, it allows you to get your earnest money back.

But there's a critical catch now: you can no longer write "market rate," "TBD," or leave the interest rate blank.

Why does this matter? If you leave it blank or vague and you get denied, the contract now puts you into alternative financing, which means you lose that protection entirely. No denial protection. No earnest money back.

So before you write your contract, talk to your loan officer and determine the exact maximum interest rate you'll accept without paying points. That number needs to be in writing.

This is a big change, and it matters. If you have questions, reach out to your local EKKO Title office. We're happy to walk you through it so you can write a solid, protected contract.

08/14/2026

I couldn't use the garage the way I wanted is not a reason to keep the deposit. And a buyer tried it anyway.

Post-settlement occupancies are back: the seller stays in the home for a period after closing, and leaves a security deposit on the table. But that deposit has one purpose, and it's not what a lot of people assume.

Recently, a buyer tried to withhold it, claiming they couldn't use the property in a certain way. That's not what it's for. The deposit exists for one thing: making sure the property comes back in the same condition it was in on settlement day. No scratched floors from the movers, no dings in the garage, no hidden surprises like a hole in the wall.

We had to sit down with the buyer's title company and make it clear: property condition, not property use. That's the line, and it doesn't move.

Sellers and agents, keep this in mind. Next time you negotiate a post-settlement occupancy, you'll know exactly what that deposit protects, and what it doesn't.

08/06/2026

Did you know that switching jobs before closing on your house could put your loan at risk?

Your lender verifies your income with your employer BEFORE closing. If you switch jobs right before that date, you might not have the documentation you need in time, and that can delay or complicate your transaction.

âś… Golden rule: don't make any big changes (jobs, credit, bank accounts) while you're in the middle of buying a home.

Not sure what you should and shouldn't do during the process? Reach out. At EKKO Title, we're here to help.

07/16/2026

Did you know that as a seller, you're NOT required to use the buyer's title company? This real-life story shows you exactly why it matters

We recently received a title commitment from the buyer's title company. As we reviewed it, we noticed something important: they were requiring a payoff for a judgment that had been entered against a property owner… who had already passed away.

When we spoke with the current owner, she told us that she and her husband had bought the property together. And once we looked at the deed, everything became clear: they were listed as tenants by the entirety, with common law right of survivorship.

What does that mean? That if there's a judgment against one party but not the other, that judgment doesn't attach to the property.

So we pushed back with the buyer's title company and explained the situation. The result? All that was needed was a continuous marriage affidavit… and that was it. We closed without a hitch.

The takeaway: having a title company that reviews every detail on your side can save you from unnecessary payoffs and major headaches.

Have questions? Reach out to any one of our Ekko Title offices. We're always happy to help

07/06/2026

Buying a property that already has a tenant? This one's for you

When you buy a property that's occupied by a tenant —whether residential or commercial— there's one key detail you can't overlook: the lease.

Why does it matter so much? Because there's almost always rent and a security deposit that need to be accounted for in the transaction. And trust us: it's so much easier to handle this from the start than at the eleventh hour, when all the numbers are being finalized and you get the classic "oh, we forgot to mention this"

âś… Our advice: if you buy a property with a tenant in it, give us the lease right from the start. That way we can make sure everything's in order as we head toward the closing date.

Have questions? Reach out to any one of our Ekko Title offices. We're always happy to help

06/22/2026

Buying new construction without a realtor? Here's what nobody tells you.

When you buy directly from a builder, it's easy to think, "I don't need a realtor." And honestly, the builder is happy to let you believe that… because it saves them the commission. But there are details that can cost you way more than that commission

✔️ Credits you negotiated that DON'T make it into the contract. Your realtor makes sure the title company gets them in time.

✔️ Lender not going to be ready by closing? A realtor handles the right paperwork so you DON'T end up in default… and avoid hefty penalties.

✔️ With new construction, a lot of buyers don't realize the builder won't hand over the keys until the funds are in their account. (Though this is starting to change.)

The commission is not the difference between having a realtor or not. Rather, the difference is who's protecting YOUR interests when things get complicated.

Thinking about buying new construction? Send me a message and I'll walk you through every step.

06/16/2026

Did you skip getting a survey when you bought your property to save money?

It may seem like an expense you can avoid during the home buying process, but years later, you may need it more than you realize.

A survey helps identify your property's boundaries and can be essential if you plan to install a fence, make landscaping improvements, build an addition, or complete certain projects that require approval from your county or HOA.

The problem is that many homeowners discover they need a survey long after they've purchased their home, only to find out they never ordered one in the first place.

In those situations, they may have to hire a surveying company to complete a new survey, which can mean additional time, expense, and hassle that could have been avoided from the start.

That's why, before cutting costs during the home buying process, it's worth understanding which expenses may help you avoid headaches down the road.

Do you think saving money today is worth it if you might need that document tomorrow?

06/08/2026

Are you planning to sell your home and use the proceeds to purchase your next one? 🏡

Many homeowners assume the funds from their sale will be available immediately at closing, but that is not always the case.

For example, in Virginia, recording and disbursement requirements can affect when your funds become available for your next purchase.

That is why, if you are coordinating the sale of one property and the purchase of another, it is important to plan both transactions carefully to avoid unexpected delays.

There are also tools, such as an Assignment of Funds, that may help streamline the process when the two transactions are connected.

The reality is that selling and buying at the same time requires strategy, coordination, and a clear understanding of what happens behind the scenes during the closing process.

At EKKO Title, we believe that understanding these details can help you make informed decisions and avoid surprises during one of the most important transactions of your life.

Before scheduling both closings on the same day, make sure you understand your options and the timelines involved.

A little planning can go a long way in making your transition from one home to the next much smoother.

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Ashburn, VA
VA

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