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Why I recomend MBH and Ryan Stuart for title and settlement needs

MBH title
MBH is in Old Town

What is a settlement company?

A settlement company processes and records transactions such as home sales or mortgages and refinances. One such settlement company is MBH Settlement Group L.C. Ryan Stuart of MBH tells me, "The settlement company's primary role is to insure the conveyance of clear and marketable title from the Seller to the Purchaser.  Further, as a settlement service provider, the settlement company prepares documentation incident to the closing, conducts the settlement, records the deed and necessary loan documentation in the land records, and disburses all funds in accordance with the HUD-1 settlement statement."

Who do you recommend for settlement?

MBH in Alexandria VA is located on Washington St. in a historic structure in Old Town. When clients ask me for a recommendation for a title company I often suggest MBH because I've been pleased with the service at MBH.

Why did you choose MBH in the first place?

MBH title
Inside MBH
I met Ryan Stuart of MBH because a fellow realtor recommended Ryan at MBH to me. Ryan Stuart is counsel to MBH and handles many closings for them. My colleague said that Ryan had "the best closings in Alexandria". Not knowing Ryan at the time I really doubted this claim. Her endorsement was so enthusiastic, I almost wondered if she was taking a kick-back from him! Of course, I knew she was not receiving any such payment from MBH or Ryan. It's important for consumers to understand that enticements and payments for endorsements like these are illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The colleague that recommended MBH and Ryan is a highly ethical agent who works for a reputable brokerage. I knew I had to give MBH a try.

Why do you tell your client's about MBH?

MBH title
MBH is in Old Town
My brokerage makes nothing off of settlement, and so long as the transaction is smooth and professional, I personally could care less who does your title work. The client has a right to choose any company for settlement and I encourage clients to take advantage of that right. However, most clients ask me for a suggestion when it comes time to pick a title company. I tell them the truth. The services provided by the title companies are nearly identical anywhere you go. (More on this later.) There is very little difference in pricing on title work. What I like about MBH is that there is very little hassle dealing with them. I submit the title order to them and then forget it. But, I would expect no less from any title company. What I love about MBH is how Ryan handles a closing.

Ryan Stuart of MBH

Ryan at closing
Starting a closing with Ryan Stuart
From the time Ryan settles in to the time the last document is signed, it's obvious that that Ryan is a professional. He knows exactly where the money is going and where it's coming from and it's all spelled out on the documents. One of the duties of a settlement agent is to explain the transaction in a way that the layman can understand the paperwork. I find that many settlement agents use industry terms that make perfect sense to myself or other real estate professionals, but Ryan goes one step further. He breaks down the transaction using simple English that anyone can understand and this is his real value add. He doesn't get frustrated with questions, and he doesn't rush the signers. He will work with the client until there is a full understanding by all parties at the table.
closing with Ryan Stuart
settlement agent
I asked Ryan, why do property owners need title insurance. He told me, "A title insurance policy contains a statement of the condition of ownership of real property. A title policy indemnifies you against loss or damage incurred as a result of title defects on your property. In the event of a lawsuit challenging your ownership interest, the title insurance company provides a legal defense for the policyholder and, if the suit is lost, pays all valid claims or losses insured by the policy." For example in a recent closing, a property was sold with only the signature of one spouse. Years later, heirs or the missing spouse could come back to make a claim against the title. Title insurance protects against this kind of a claim.
Jane is relieved
When settlement is over, Jane is relieved.
It's a huge relief when all the ducks finally line up and the property is yours.
Will Nesbitt About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Fire at Huntley Meadows Park?

Huntley Meadows Huntley Meadows is a 4500 acre park in Fairfax County, but today the park service only maintains about 30 acres of meadows. The remainder of the park is following the natural life cycle of the land. In the days before Columbus, Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley were mostly a sprawling meadow, and even here on the East Coast we had bison herds. The meadows are not the natural state here though, and they were maintained by natives who burned and cut the forest from time to time to leave room for the big herding animals. Left on its own, the land here will slowly revert to a hardwood forest. In Huntley Meadows, visitors can explore this forest by way of many trails and paths. Huntley Meadows trees The change to forest happens over time. When the meadows first fall fallow, weeds rush in. In a few years brambles and honeysuckle mix in with fast growing trees like locusts or cedars. Eventually the tree canopy grows so thick that the vines and undergrowth begin to die off. In dry months, this undergrowth becomes brittle and fires are easy to start. Left unchecked, nature will start its own fire to clear the undergrowth and to replenish the hardwoods as they grow. vines and duff The forests of Huntley Meadows are young. This is evidenced not only by the diameter of the trunks and by the types of trees that are tallest. It's also evidenced by the duff, or undergrowth, that is heavy in parts of the forest. The park's management recently ignited a number of controlled burns to clear up the duff and to help keep the forest healthy. fire at Huntley Meadows You'll see signs of the fire along many paths in the park. feathers at Huntley Meadows Huntley Meadows is also popular with birdwatchers. I found these feathers scattered along the trail. Perhaps a fox found a meal here? I am curious what type of bird this might have been.

Neighborhoods near Huntley Meadows

Here are a few resources for house hunters in Northern Virginia:
  • Huntley Meadows --- a map of the park with homes for sale nearby
  • Kingstowne --- condos, houses and townhouses for sale in and near Kingstowne
  • Hayfield Farm --- Single family homes near the Coast Guard station
  • Woodstone -- Townhouses and single family houses near Huntley Meadows
  • Stoneybrooke -- Single family homes between Groveton Hieghts and Huntley Meadows
Will Nesbitt About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Inauguration Day in Alexandria

At noon on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Barack H. Obama will be sworn in on the steps of the Capitol as the 56th President of the United States of America. The City of Alexandria is expecting a record number of visitors, and preparations are underway for our guests and friends.

Jumbotron in Market Square

At the heart of Old Town is Market Square. Market Square is at the City Hall building, 301 King St. It is a brick courtyard and gathering point for city residents. The Presidential swearing-in ceremony and parade will be on Jumbotron (a giant TV) live on Inauguration Day at Market Square from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Area Road Closures and Bridge Restrictions

The City of Alexandria states: "Road and bridge closures and security restrictions around the U.S. Capitol and the Inauguration parade route will make traveling by car directly from Northern Virginia to Washington, DC impossible beginning at 2 a.m. on January 20. The City urges residents---whether attending the Inauguration, going to work, or staying in Alexandria---to make plans and stay informed." So far, the road closures and bridge restrictions generally begin at 2 AM on Tuesday January 20th (early on Inauguration Day). At around that time, personal vehicles will not be allowed to enter Washington from Northern Virginia. Residents and visitors in Northern Virginia are urged to take public transit to the Inauguration activities. If you insist on driving, drivers will only be able to enter Washington by driving in from designated Maryland routes. Road closures and detours:
  • Traffic on I-395 traffic heading toward Washington will be diverted at the Springfield interchange (exits 170B and 170C) onto 1-495 North (Inner Loop) or I-495/95 East (Outer Loop). Southbound 395 remain open to traffic.
  • The 14th Street Bridge, Roosevelt Bridge, and Key Bridge will be closed to general traffic. Only authorized vehicles will be allowed to cross these bridges. The Memorial Bridge and the Chain Bridge will be open to pedestrians only.
  • North Washington Street at Montgomery Street to Reagan National Airport will be closed.
  • The George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed in both directions from I-495 to the 14th Street Bridge.

I-95/395 HOV Schedule

HOV on I-95/395 will begin at 3 AM, after 5 AM only buses and authorized vehicles will be permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes from Route 234/Dumfries to Washington. The HOV lanes will reverse at 8 PM with restrictions lasting until 9 pm or later.

Metro and VRE on Inauguration

As federal, state and local agencies continue to develop plans for the Inauguration, information on road closures may change. Please check this page for updates. Alexandria VA and Washington DC are expecting record turnouts for the 46th Presidential Inauguration. The public is urged to use public transportation and to arrive early. The best way into Washington DC from Northern Virginia and Alexandria on Inauguration Day will be Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express. Metro claims they will have public parking spaces available at all Northern Virginia Metro stations. It will be interesting to see how this is accomplished at some stations. For travel around the area on Inauguration Day, Metro is probably a good choice. To plan your trip via the Metrobus or Metrorail, use Metro’s Trip Planner; for bus travel within Alexandria, visit the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) system, or ride the Free King Street Trolley, which runs from the Metrorail King Street Station to the City’s Waterfront. For more detailed information please check the Secret Service Announces Security Information for the 2009 Presidential Inaugural (PDF) For more travel options to, and within Washington, D.C., and other important information, please check out CarlyleDistrict.com.

Walking

Persons walking from to the Inauguration from Alexandria have a number of options, including the Mount Vernon Trail. A less hearty walk would start at Arlington National Cemetary. You may wish to Metro to Arlington National Cemetary and walk the Memorial Bridge into DC. WMATA has produced and provided a commemorative walking guide and map. Bicycling The Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) will be operating two free bicycle valet parking areas on January 20, including one at the Jefferson Memorial. Visit WABA for more information including maps, bike rental information and valet tips. The City of Alexandria's Online Bike Map can prove useful as can the Regional Bike Path Route-Finder. Bicycles will not be allowed on Metrorail all weekend long, beginning Saturday, January 17th. Bicycles will be allowed on MetroBus throughout the Inaugural weekend.

Alexandria Events

Here's a list of other Alexandria Inauguration events.