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How do you get a building permit in Washington, DC? There are many steps and you may be required to get additional approvals and services from other agencies in the process.

Will you have to pay capital gains tax when you sell your current home? As with many things in real estate, that depends. This article covers information about capital gains taxes on real estate and strategies to mitigate the tax.

Do you have questions about the closing process? Read our most frequently asked questions and how the title company assists you through the process!

What is title insurance and why do you need it? Read through these FAQ to find out.

Does your county allow for e-closings? Check the list of counties in the DMV to find out!

Buying your first home in Washington, DC can be a daunting task, but did you know there are many resources available to help you through the process?

What is a condo conversion? Is it a good investment for you and is DC a good place to do one? Learn the facts and the process for converting one title into individually titled condominiums.

Are you selling a home in the DMV? Be sure you properly disclose all of the necessary information to the buyer before contracts are signed! Here are the legal disclosure requirements for the DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Moving into a new home can be exciting and scary, especially if you are relocating to a new city. Smart Settlements is here to help you set up all of your services in Washington, DC.

Moving into a new home can be exciting and scary, especially if you are relocating to a new city. Northern Virginia and its utilities can get complicated, but Smart Settlements is here to help you find the contacts you need!

Moving into a new home can be exciting and scary. If your new home is in Baltimore or the Maryland side of the DMV, then Smart Settlements is here to make the process a little easier by helping you find your utility service providers.

Buying your first home can be daunting, especially if you are looking in the DMV. Luckily, the state of Maryland offers first-time homebuyers three great programs to make the process easier.

Did you know that DC passed an update to TOPA, effective July 2018? Know your rights as a renter and/or owner of a single-family home in Washington, DC.

If you are a foreign property owner who is selling US property or are buying from a foreign seller, you need to know how the FIRPTA law affects you. Learn about the tax implications and exemptions here.

If you own a home in Washington, DC, you may qualify for the Homestead Tax Deduction, Senior Citizen, or Disabled Property Owner tax benefits! Learn more about each program in this article.

Having both the buyer and the seller physically present at a closing is not always possible, and SMART Settlements understands that. Learn how we can accommodate your closing remotely!

The DC Office of Tax and Revenue offers financial assistance through their Tax Abatement Program. Find out if you meet the qualifications and how to apply!

When you buy a home in Washington, DC, the number of different fees and taxes you pay can be overwhelming. One tax that will most likely apply to you is the DC Transfer and Recordation Tax. Learn the facts about this expense and your obligation to pay it.

Whether you are between renters or renovating an old building, it is critical that you know your financial and reporting obligations for vacant and blighted properties in Washington, DC.

If you own residential real estate in the District or are considering buying property there, it’s important to know your property tax obligations.

If you think title insurance is a luxury and not a necessity, think twice. Read about the most common title issues in residential real estate!

The word “refinance” gets tossed around the real estate industry, but do you know what it means to refinance your home? We answer the most frequently asked questions in this article!

If you are considering becoming a landlord in Washington, DC, then follow these steps to register your rental property!

What are your rights if you hold title on a property with someone else? Read our brief overview of tenancy to learn more about the three most common forms of joint tenancy.

Buying a home is a huge investment. If you are buying in Virginia, be sure to see what financial assistance the state offers homebuyers and homeowners.

Curious what the real estate tax rate is in Northern Virginia? See the current property tax rates for cities and counties in the DMV!

See how SMART is making traditional closings safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and offering virtual closings with Remote Online Notarizations (RON).

In the real estate industry, the words "title" and "escrow" are often used interchangeably, but the truth is they are two different parts of the real estate transaction. Learn more about these services and how SMART handles both in our settlements.

Although your settlement company may take care of the filing and submission of FIRTPA withholding taxes to the IRS after closing, it is important that you understand what the Foreign Investment Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) is and when it applies to a real estate transaction.

For more information about real estate tax rates in Maryland, how property is assessed, and how you pay your bill, read our FAQ article here!

Throughout your homeownership, there may be times when you wish to take out a subordinate debt in order to fully purchase your home or complete other projects. Read our SMART FAQ about the Automatic Subordination guidelines for Virginia and Maryland!

Buyers should not be discouraged by a hot DC real estate market. We are sharing strategies for making your offer as competitive as possible!

Although most of your interactions with real estate agents and title companies happen before or at closing, your questions may not end there. Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions post-closing.

Baltimore has a strong economy and job market, and in an effort to attract more homeowners and real estate investors to Baltimore city, various agencies offer property tax credit programs. Read about each one in our SMART blog.

Purchasing title insurance is a standard part of the closing process, learn what an owner's title policy covers and why every buyer needs one.

Smart Settlements has compiled a list of utilities companies to contact before you make your move to Miami-Dade County, Florida!

If you sell real estate in Maryland but are not a resident, you may be subject to the Maryland Nonresident Withholding Tax. Learn more about this tax and exemptions!

Condominiums are structured differently than other types of properties. Smart Settlements outlines many of the documents and information you should review before purchasing a condominium in DC.

If you own a Maryland home or plan on buying one, you need to know the rates for transfer and recordation taxes!

If you must remain in your home after you sell it, it is important to understand what is involved in post-settlement occupancy, including the agreement you sign with the buyer.

Insure your new property’s title to protect your rights as an owner and help you avoid expensive fees if anyone questions the legality of your ownership. Read about the two types of title insurance policy options for soon-to-be owners.

Learn about three common types of survey your title company or lender may request when you buy a new home.