Community Title Network - Baltimore

09/03/2026

In case you missed it: A property tax rule that could catch your buyer — and their lender — off guard.

In the latest Title Talk Tuesday, James Schroeder shares a real example from Dorchester County where a transaction hit a snag at recording because the property taxes had been set up for semiannual payment.

The issue? On a transfer, the county required the taxes to be paid annually for the first year.
That meant the buyer needed to come up with additional funds, despite their lender’s escrow being structured around semiannual payments.

If you’re doing business on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, James explains why this is something agents and lenders should be talking about before it becomes a last-minute surprise.
Watch the latest episode of Title Talk Tuesday and reach out to James or our team with any questions.

Maryland real estate agents: an unexpected property tax requirement...

09/01/2026

Title Talk Tuesday: Could property taxes impact your buyer’s cash to close?

In Episode 2, James Schroeder, the Maryland Title Guy, breaks down a property tax issue Maryland Realtors should have on their radar, especially when an investment property is being purchased as a primary residence.

Depending on the county and timing of the settlement, a buyer who expects taxes to be handled semiannually could unexpectedly need thousands more at closing. James shares a recent Howard County example where the difference was roughly $4,500.

The key? Get ahead of it. Talk with the lender and title company early so there are fewer surprises at the settlement table.

Have a title question for the next Title Talk Tuesday? Drop it below or reach out to Community Title Network.

https://youtu.be/CyiNLMzSGzU

https://communitytn.com/locations/baltimore/

08/18/2026

🎉 Title Talk Tuesday is officially here!

James Schroeder, Business Development in Baltimore, just launched a new video series designed to help educate Maryland real estate agents on the title and settlement questions that come up every day.

From things you may have forgotten to situations you simply haven’t encountered yet, James is breaking down the topics agents should know to help create smoother settlements for everyone involved.

Have a question or a topic you’d like James to cover? Drop it in the comments and follow along every Tuesday.

👏 Go show James some support and check out the first Title Talk Tuesday! https://www.instagram.com/p/DcLlk8kMUWc/

08/15/2026

Earnest money just got easier.

With ZOCCAM®, Community Title Network gives agents a faster, more secure way to deliver EMD—right from their phone.

No driving checks.
No delays.
No guesswork.

Just a simple, digital solution that keeps deals moving and clients confident.

It’s one more way we support agents with the tools they actually need—when they need them.

Learn more: https://communitytn.com/emd-delivery/

07/21/2026

Two true stories from 23 years in mortgage lending — and two very different endings.

On the latest episode of Real Estate with the Resnicks, Brian Kesler of Direct Mortgage Loans shares the wildest things he's seen buyers do between pre-approval and closing:

The heartbreaker: A buyer was pre-approved for a fully rehabbed home at below-market value, with grant money lined up. While waiting for the property to be finished, they stopped paying their other bills to "save up." By the time the house was ready, their credit couldn't be salvaged — and the deal was gone.

The happy ending: A first-time buyer followed the advice almost too well. They stopped using credit entirely, and after six months of inactivity, their credit score simply disappeared.

Fortunately, there was enough time to rebuild the history and still lock in a great rate.

The lesson in both: credit needs consistency. Keep paying your bills, keep accounts active, and stay in close contact with your lender from pre-approval all the way to the closing table.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/m2m9-qtGUyw

Note: This conversation focuses on Maryland real estate. Requirements vary by state.

07/17/2026

"Do you think we'll see interest rate relief soon?" It's the question every buyer is asking. 📉

On the latest episode of Real Estate with the Resnicks, Brian Kesler of Direct Mortgage Loans breaks down where rates stand — and why the crystal ball is cloudier than usual:

🌍 Rates were trending down — dipping just below 6% — before conflict in the Middle East pushed them back up
🛢️ Inflation, driven in part by oil prices, remains the wild card
📊 Industry forecasts are calling for higher rates through next year — but even the experts admit predicting this market is "throwing darts"

The takeaway? Waiting on rates is a gamble. Every time rates dip, more buyers flood the market and competition heats up. The best move is having a plan for the market as it is, not the one you're hoping for.

🎥 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/m2m9-qtGUyw

Note: This conversation focuses on Maryland real estate. Requirements vary by state.

07/15/2026

Winning your dream home starts long before you find it. 🏡

On the latest episode of Real Estate with the Resnicks, Brian Kesler of Direct Mortgage Loans shares why serious buyers are moving beyond pre-approval to pre-commitment — full underwriting completed BEFORE the house hunt, so financing is locked in and subject only to the property itself (insurance, title, appraisal).

The playbook:

📋 Provide documents early — pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns
✅ Get fully underwritten, not just pre-approved
💰 Know your closing costs and monthly payment before you shop
⚡ Move decisively when the right home hits the market

In a market with multiple-offer situations and tight deadlines, the prepared buyer wins.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m2m9-qtGUyw

07/08/2026

A buyer was days from closing on a below-market home with grant money in hand. Then the lender re-pulled their credit — and the deal died.

What happened? They stopped paying their bills to "save up more." 😳

That's just one story from Episode 4 of Real Estate with the Resnicks, where Hal and Brian Resnick sit down with Brian Kessler of Direct Mortgage Loans — 23 years in Maryland lending — for the lender's perspective on today's market.

What we cover:
🏙️ Baltimore City's hidden landscape — ground rent, the state's highest property tax rate, and grant programs (up to $5,000+) most buyers never hear about
📈 Where interest rates are headed — and why "waiting for rates to drop" usually means more competition, not more savings
💰 The truth about points — how some big-box lenders bury thousands in upfront costs inside a "lower" rate quote
📋 Pre-approval vs. pre-commitment — the extra step that makes your offer bulletproof in a multiple-offer market
🚫 What NOT to do before closing — new car loans, job changes, big cash deposits, and yes... boats
Whether you're a buyer, agent, or industry pro, this one's packed with practical takeaways from all three sides of the closing table.

🎧 Watch the full episode – https://youtu.be/m2m9-qtGUyw

Note: This conversation focuses on Maryland real estate. Requirements and programs vary by state.

07/03/2026

Wishing you a happy, safe, and memorable Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

07/02/2026

Maryland's quirks vary block to block, not just county to county.

The line item that seems “normal” to someone who works this market every day is often the exact thing an out-of-area buyer never saw coming. Lean on people who close in your neighborhood.

That's the whole point of a local title team. Need help with a transaction? Let's talk! https://communitytn.com/locations/baltimore/