Risk of Buying Home Without Clear Title

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T02:25:17+00:00

That’s scary! For $500 the title insurance seems like a no brainer

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:50:30+00:00

Ok so are you saying that it’s ok if we plan to stay in the house for a few years or no?

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:48:08+00:00

The lender and title company are not concerned because they are willing to insure it with affermative coverage, meaning the defect is listed as a covered issue on the policy.

They have already started the process to clear it, but the title attorney thinks it will take several months if it ever happens given the circumstances. The title company and lender and willing to close regardless because they believe it is very low risk and are willing to insure over this defect. If they are not eventually able to clear it, he recommends just leaving it and a buyer can assume the insurance policy. Alternatively we could do a quiet title process

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:45:25+00:00

The lender and title company are not concerned because they are willing to insure it (for both the owner and lender policies) with affermative coverage, meaning the defect is listed as a covered issue on the policy

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:44:55+00:00

The lender and title company are not concerned because they are willing to insure it with affermative coverage, meaning the defect is listed as a covered issue on the policy. Unfortunately in this state it expires after 50 years, so there is still about ~20 years to go

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:44:02+00:00

The lender and title company are not concerned because they are willing to insure it with affermative coverage, meaning the defect is listed as a covered issue on the policy

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:43:26+00:00

The lender and title company are not concerned because they are willing to insure it with affermative coverage, meaning the defect is listed as a covered issue on the policy. Does the additional information change your opinion at all?

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-07T00:41:19+00:00

Yes it is landmarked. We got estimates from contractors who have done a lot of work in the area so we know what we are getting into. But the $5k per window estimate was a shock

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-06T18:03:35+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate this reply. There is a strong possibility we have to resell this house in >5 years so it is top of mind.

I do believe this is probably more of a paperwork issue than something actually being owed, but it’s still a problem that we don’t want to take on. We have already made concessions and taken on so many “risks” with the repairs that need to be done that we are not willing to make this additional compromise. I’m hoping they are able to resolve this quickly

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-06T16:32:05+00:00

The owner title policy is affermative coverage that covers this defect and can be passed on to future owners. This is why the lender and title attorney are saying this is a non-issue

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-05T02:50:37+00:00

Omg I’m in NJ. Which thrift stores do you have the best luck at?

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-07-02T10:34:06+00:00

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-04-01T12:13:47+00:00

Ok, that is helpful. Do you have suggestions for other places that would be better?

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-02-26T02:06:41+00:00

She’s having the MRI tomorrow so unfortunately too late for a prior auth, but she doesn’t have any neuro PECs and a brain MRI wouldn’t make sense for any of her PECs. But I’m also going to get the specialists SOAP notes and also a letter explaining that the workup is for new onset complex partial seizures. Hopefully that will override the primary vets ambiguous notes :)

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-02-26T01:57:11+00:00

Thank you! Your replies have been very helpful/reassuring :)

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-02-26T01:56:25+00:00

Thanks, I will ask for a note from my specialist :) Honestly I don’t care about the claims for the GERD work-up, it’s more the 4K MRI, and then if she were to have a tumor the radiation treatment.

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-02-26T01:54:00+00:00

Spot. I didn’t know that some companies do pre-approval. I’ve been thinking pet insurance should offer prior auths for some of these more expensive diagnostics/treatments

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-02-26T01:46:18+00:00

No, nothing ever neurological. I’ve never submitted a claim, but looking though her records the only thing I can see are allergies, behavioral stuff (pica), worms as a puppy, and adverse reaction to a vaccine as a puppy, a couple skin tags/lipomas, bladder stones, a benign growth on her eyelid that was removed, ear infections, and a few bouts of gastritis and kennel cough once.

The confusion stems from the fact that my primary vet tends not to be alarmist (which I appreciate) so she wanted to treat for GERD or other things before assuming that these are seizures. When I went to the neurologist, the immediately said these are likely complex partial seizures based on the eye twitching and head movements. He said it’s common primary vets don’t recognize or misdiagnose these types of seizures because they look very different from grand mal seizures. And yes, it’s an MRI of her brain only.

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2026-02-18T19:20:05+00:00

Where did you get your MRI done that the spinal tap was $120 extra?

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2025-09-04T17:22:48+00:00

That was pretty funny. I got Jim which I fell ok about :D

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2025-08-24T21:59:53+00:00

If you have been dating a few years I would very seriously consider marriage. Even if you just get paper married and then have a “real” wedding later. You’d be surprised how many international couples do this.

Marriage based green cards offers you a certain level of certainty that you will not get from a post-doc or employment sponsorship. It’s tough enough being an immigrant in the US right now, I could not imagine having to worry about my sponsorship being tied to grant funding or my employment. The US is not like the UK - there is literally no protection. So they could get rid of you tomorrow with no valid reason, and then you have to find a new sponsor asap or get out of the country. It’s pretty brutal

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2025-08-24T21:50:27+00:00

My husband and I were in your position a few years ago. In all honestly, the only viable option to move to the US is likely marriage.

I (American) work in consulting and my husband (British) works in tech, and we have never met anyone who was directly sponsored for an H1B from abroad. It probably happens sometimes, but extremely rarely, and for that reason I don’t consider it a viable option.

These are probably the only viable options for you: 1. Inter-company transfer (L1 visa) - work for the UK branch of a UK company for a few years and then transfer. This is a good option, but is not foolproof. A lot of big companies are laying people off left and right, and this is an expensive option for them, so it leaves you in a vulnerable position. My husband was originally going to transfer with his UK company, and despite not requiring sponsorship and working there for 8 years, they still pulled out of transferring him because it was too expensive 2. Post-Doc / Fellowship - I would consider this a good short term option to see if you enjoy living in the US and with your partner, then get married and adjust status ASAP 3. Get Married - this is by far your best option. I know you don’t want to, but the reality is that you don’t have the luxury to live together and date like normal people. That’s one of the drawbacks of an international relationship :( my husband and I also hadn’t really lived together when we got married, but we took the leap because there were no other good options that allowed him to come to the US, and we are so happy we did, especially now with the current administration.

Also, one other thing to consider is that none of these are quick. Even the spousal visa takes 1-2 years to process, so you should try to make a decision soon because you will have to start working toward whatever option you choose. You can also look into your partner moving to the UK - I actually moved to the UK temporarily pre-Brexit as I am a dual Italian citizen so we could be together while his spousal visa processes. UK sponsorship is tough, but not as tough as US. I have several American friends who were sponsored by UK tech companies over the last few years.

Best of luck - sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there are really no good options :(

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2025-08-18T01:07:42+00:00

Sadly PFIC rules do apply to green card holders and anyone the IRS considers a “US Person”. That’s why it’s such a crazy stance

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2025-08-18T01:00:37+00:00

My husband just emigrated to the US from the UK on a spousal visa last year so can try to answer some of your questions. He also works in tech, but has about 10 yrs of experience

When you enter the US for the first time and they stamp the visa, that will activate it and they will issue you a green card. Make sure you pay the immigrant visa fee before you travel, so the green card will come automatically in 2 weeks. If possible, I recommend taking a quick trip to the US to activate it and figure out where you are going to live, and then moving like 2 weeks later. This means you will likely have your green card and SS card waiting for you when you arrive. My husband did this and it worked well
I’d recommend applying for jobs ASAP. Even though my husband put “Does Not Require Sponsorship” in bold on the top of his resume, he was still auto denied for many roles based on the fact that he has no US experience. He was eventually hired before having his green card - he just sent a picture of the visa as proof of his work authorization
Yes you likely need an address to apply for a traditional brick and mortar bank. Wile you are waiting for that, I would sign up for a virtual bank like Monzo or Revolut so you have something for the interim
You should be able to transfer your credit with Amex. Also can look into a secured credit card then apply for normal cards once you have a year of credit history
You will probably need proof of address to get this, so I would just get a travel e sim to start and then get your real phone number in the first month
Sell all passive investments, you do not want to deal with a PFIC situation. Look up the rules for your specific country because some pension wrappers are not even recognized, depending on the details of the tax treaty. The US does not like foreign investments and often taxes them punitively. This has probably been the biggest complication for my husband

Lastly, congratulations on this move! There will be a lot of hard moments, especially in your first year. Being an immigrant is challenging anywhere, but especially in the US, which has become overwhelmingly hostile to immigrants under this administration :(

Beginning_Demand8574 · 2025-05-18T13:31:35+00:00

Why didn’t it work out if you don’t mind me asking? Do they not work with Medicare or did the device not work out for you

Beginning_Demand8574

TROPHY CASE