EQUES Title

04/23/2026

03/26/2026

We are looking for a great new team member!

Eques Title is looking for a Part time assistant to help Title with the following duties. https://equestitle.com Compensation: $17/hr Location: Berlin, Ohio (In Office) - 5989 County Rd 77, Millersburg, Ohio 44654 Hours: +/-20 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 1:30 PM About EQUES® Law Group...

03/25/2026

A home purchase can move fast, especially when a property is in demand. That speed is exactly why buyers need a checklist. A good checklist does not replace judgment, but it does help buyers slow down long enough to avoid missing something important.Start with the obvious but often neglected questio...

03/25/2026

Property Law Tip: Buying into an HOA or condo means you’re buying into a set of rules, and sometimes surprise costs.

A lot of buyers focus on the house and the mortgage payment, but the HOA/condo documents can change what you can do with the property and what you’ll owe after closing.

Red flags to watch for:
- Special assessments (roof, siding, road repairs, reserve shortages)
- Restrictions on rentals, pets, fences, parking, sheds, and exterior changes
- Litigation involving the association (can affect financing and risk)
- Low reserves (often a clue assessments are coming)

Smart move: Before you remove contingencies, request and review:
- HOA/condo declarations, bylaws, rules, and financials
- Meeting minutes (where problems show up first)
- Any pending special assessment or planned capital projects

If you want a quick legal read on HOA/condo docs before you’re locked in, we can flag the biggest risks in plain English.
https://wix.to/f9U9XB4

03/25/2026

Buying a home is exciting, but it is also a legal transaction with real consequences. Most buyers spend a lot of time thinking about price, mortgage rates, and move-in dates. Fewer think about the legal issues that can complicate a purchase or create problems after closing. That is a mistake worth a...

03/25/2026

New episode: Title with Tom and Mary
Attorney Tom Schmitt and Paralegal Mary Stone break down title and closings in under 2 minutes.
Perfect if you’re buying or selling property and have questions.
Watch now: https://wix.to/LiaumMh

Have a question about your property? Contact us!

03/25/2026

When people hear the phrase “market snapshot,” they often assume it is just a quick summary of home prices. In reality, a useful market snapshot tells buyers something more important: how the current conditions may affect their timing, negotiating power, financing, and legal risk.A real estate m...

03/25/2026

Property Law Tip: Earnest money isn’t automatically lost if a deal falls apart.
Earnest money is a good-faith deposit, but whether you get it back depends on the contract, especially the deadlines and the exact wording of your contingencies.

Common ways buyers lose earnest money:
- Missing a contingency deadline (inspection, financing, appraisal)
- Sending notice the wrong way (email vs. portal vs. written notice requirement)
- Waiving a contingency without realizing it (or letting it expire)

Smart move: Before you sign, confirm:
- What contingencies you have (inspection, financing, appraisal, title)
- The dates you must act by
- Exactly how to give notice if you need to terminate

If you want to know what your contract actually allows (and when), we can review it before you sign so your deposit isn’t riding on guesswork.
https://wix.to/OAAg7fO

03/25/2026

Property Law Tip: Fences aren’t legal boundaries.
Before you buy, make sure you understand what you’re actually getting, especially if the property line is close to a driveway, shed, fence, or neighbor’s landscaping.

Red flags to watch for:
- The listing says “approximate lot lines” or uses a vague map
- There’s a driveway, fence, garage, or outbuilding near the edge of the lot
- The seller says “we’ve always used it” (that isn’t the same as a recorded right)

Smart move: Ask for a survey (or at least review prior surveys), and confirm whether any easements exist for driveways, utilities, shared lanes, or access.

If you’re unsure what the boundary/easement language means, we can review it before you sign so you don’t buy a surprise.
https://wix.to/CXmfSqJ

03/20/2026

Go Hawks!!