Stewart Title

MYTH: Attorney opinion letters (AOLs) are comparable to title insurance policies.

FACT: Attorney opinion letters are an assessment of title, not a legally binding policy.

In recent years, attorney opinion letters, or AOLs, have been approved for usage in some real estate transactions as an alternative to title insurance policies for lenders.

Unlike title insurance, AOLs are not regulated by the federal government. They provide an overview and opinion that states that a property has appears to have a clear title after a review of public records. Title insurance legally guarantees compensation and defense of covered claims, including unknown ones, if they were to arise.

AOLs do not provide coverage for hidden issues, like undisclosed heirs, forged deeds, liens, etc. Title insurance covers undiscoverable issues not found even in the most thorough title search.

To learn more about the protections title insurance provides, visit stewart.com/home.

Summer at home starts with the right touches. From backyard gatherings to open house hosting essentials, these top-rated Amazon finds can help make your space feel more inviting, comfortable and ready for the season ahead.

Explore budget-friendly products designed to elevate everyday homeownership and help you make the most of summer at home.

Read the full article for our favorite seasonal picks: https://www.stewart.com/en/insights/top-rated-home-products-on-amazon-for-summer

Top Rated Home Products on Amazon for Summer Discover top-rated spring essentials for your home! From efficient gadgets to cozy comforts, find the perfect Amazon buys to elevate your space this season.

Buying a house includes a lot of research, preparation and paperwork. Do you know how many documents homeowners sign during a real estate closing? Choose your best guess.

New to the homebuying and closing process? Learn about the basic steps of real estate closing here: https://www.stewart.com/en/what-we-offer/closing-and-escrow/the-basic-steps-of-closing

Are you buying a house soon? The title search is one of the most important, yet lesser-known steps in the process. From the title order to delivering a title policy, each step is designed to bring a thorough and complete history of a property before the title transfer.

Follow this title search flowchart to understand this crucial real estate process and visit steawrt.com/home for real estate resources, articles, FAQs and more!

Are you currently a homeowner? This National Homeownership Month, we’re looking to raise awareness on the real estate journey. Tell us, are you new to the homebuying market?

From finding the right real estate agent to navigating the closing process, we have resources and FAQs to answer your burning real estate questions. Check out these helpful links to get you started:

Step-by-Step Guide to Affording Your First Home: https://www.stewart.com/en/insights/step-by-step-guide-to-affording-your-first-new-home

Home Buyer and Seller Resource Page: stewart.com/home

Your ideal summer is loading... 🔋🔋🔋

A summer at home that feels like an escape everyday is possible with a few upgrades. Here are some things to help transform your house into a relaxing retreat for your family and guests:

⛱️ Retractable sunshade or patio umbrella
🏊 Kid- and pet-friendly splash pad or wading pool
🪑 Lounge chairs or reclining hammocks
💡 Solar-powered garden or string lights
🕯️ Citronella candles or bug repellent lanterns
🏏 Backyard games like co****le or bocce ball
🍖 BBQ grill or portable smoker
🍿 Backyard movie night setup
🔊 Portable speakers
🕺 A great summer playlist

Is your home ready for a summer staycation? What else would you add to the list?

A workplace where everyone belongs. Happy Pride Month!

Join us for our next Title Tenets webinar UCC Pledges, Policies and Foreclosures, on June 18 at 1 p.m. CT. Presented by Kate Fletcher, Associate Senior Underwriter and Jeremy Poetker, Chief Underwriter National Commercial Services, this session will provide a practical review of personal property collateral governed by the Uniform Commercial Code and the key considerations that can impact financing transactions, including:

- Pledge agreements delivered to lenders in personal property financing transactions
- How a lender’s lien is perfected
- UCC loan and owner’s policies
- The foreclosure process for personal property and UCC liens

Designed for commercial real estate professionals navigating complex transactions, this webinar will deliver practical insight and underwriting perspective grounded in real-world experience.

Register today: https://www.stewart.com/en/customer-type/commercial-title-closing-services/webinars-and-white-papers/webinars/2026/jun-registration?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social+Post&utm_campaign=Title+Tenets+June+2026

For title professionals, understanding these types of leases is essential to issuing accurate commitments, securing lender consents, and moving to a smooth closing.

In this guide, Senior Commercial Underwriter Jennifer Barrow breaks down the different types of leases, specialized structures, and the terms that most influence underwriting and title clearance in both commercial and residential deals.
Read our : https://www.stewart.com/en/insights/common-terms-in-real-estate-transactions

Lease Types Title Agents Should Know Discover lease types title agents should know, from residential to commercial leases and best practices for advising clients.

Did you know buying a home comes with more than just a monthly mortgage payment? Understanding how property taxes and escrow accounts work can help homebuyers prepare correctly for the ongoing costs of homeownership and avoid surprises along the way.

In our latest Insights article, we break down what escrow accounts are, how property taxes are paid and what buyers should know before closing.

Real the full article: https://www.stewart.com/en/insights/property-taxes-and-escrow-explained-for-homebuyers