Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
Title charges are costs that are related to establishing and insuring title in a real estate transaction. These charges vary considerably and include title insurance premiums and other fees involved in closing a mortgage loan. This study analyzes the variation in title charges using data from almost 3,000 FHA-insured, 30-year fixed-rate home purchase loans in five metropolitan areas. Even after controlling for cost-related and other characteristics, more than one-half of the variation in title charges remains unexplained in four of the five markets. Substantial differences in charges between settlement agents suggest that consumers would benefit by shopping for settlement services. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015