Master Title Service, Inc.

08/28/2026

🎬 NPR History Corner: Lights, Stars & Big Dreams

In 1924, New Port Richey was officially incorporated — and investors had big plans.

They built the Meighan Theatre in 1926 and the glamorous Hacienda Hotel in 1927, convinced that movie stars would flock to the Cotee River and make NPR the next Hollywood. Some stars did visit. A few even built winter homes here.

But California won the race, and when the Great Depression hit, many of those beautiful downtown buildings fell into disrepair.

New Port Richey had other stories to tell, though. During Prohibition, moonshine stills were hidden in the underbrush. Al Capone is even rumored to have hunted at the Moon Lake Dude Ranch, just up the road.

The boom didn't last, but the buildings did. And so did the community.

What's your favorite piece of NPR history? Drop it below. 👇

08/25/2026

Not every home goes through probate.

Whether a property requires probate depends on how it was owned and the circumstances of the estate. Some properties can transfer without court involvement. Others can't move forward until the probate process is complete.

If you're navigating a probate-related transaction, it helps to have experienced title professionals who've been through it before.

Questions about probate closings? We're happy to be a resource.

08/20/2026

We believe strong communities are built by neighbors supporting one another. That's why we're proud to be an Antipasto Sponsor of the first annual Nonna's Fundraising Dinner! 🇮🇹

It's sure to be a wonderful evening filled with delicious food, great company, and a meaningful cause. We hope you'll join us in supporting this fantastic event. Don't wait too long; tickets are selling quickly! ❤️

08/14/2026

Who usually chooses the title company?

It's a question we get more often than you might think.

In Florida, choosing the title company is typically a negotiable part of the real estate transaction. While local customs often influence who makes the selection, buyers and sellers can discuss and agree on the title company that best fits their needs.

Here in Pasco County, the local custom is for the seller to pay for the owner's title insurance policy and select the title company. It's a long-standing practice, but like many parts of a real estate contract, it can be negotiated.

If you ever have questions about title or closing, we're always happy to be a resource.

08/12/2026

🏛️ New Port Richey History Fact: How It All Began

In 1883, Aaron McLaughlin Richey arrived in Florida with a bold idea. He settled along the Pithlachascotee River — a river the local Seminoles called the 'Cotee' — and set up a post office. On the other side, farmers and ranchers built a quiet community they called Hickory Hammock.

Eventually, the two settlements merged under Richey's name. They became New Port Richey.

What started as a post office and some pioneers making rope from dried vines grew into a city officially incorporated in 1924.

We think about Aaron Richey sometimes when we're working on closings here. He chose this place. He built something worth staying for. Fifty years ago, we made the same choice, and now every closing we handle is part of that same story.

Is there a piece of NPR early history you find interesting?

08/07/2026

Most buyers have never heard of a municipal lien search until we bring it up, and by then it's usually already saved them a headache.

A regular title search looks at ownership history.
A municipal lien search digs into city and county records for things like code violations, unpaid utility bills, or unpermitted work tied to the property, issues that don't always show up anywhere else.

In a lot of Florida cities, those can attach to the property itself, not just the previous owner, which means they can become your problem if nobody catches them first.

It's one of those steps that's easy to overlook and exactly why we don't skip it.

08/05/2026

We hear this one a lot: title insurance expires, just like homeowners insurance renews every year.

It doesn't work that way.

An owner's title insurance policy is paid once, at closing, and it protects your ownership for as long as you or your heirs hold the property.

No renewals, no annual premium, no expiration date buried in the fine print.

It's one of the few things in a real estate transaction you pay for a single time and then never think about again.

07/31/2026

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is: it depends on where you're closing. Unlike a lot of states with one standard rule, Florida handles title insurance costs by local custom, and that custom can shift from one county to the next. In some areas, sellers typically cover it. In others, it falls to the buyer, or gets negotiated as part of the deal.

It's a small detail, but it can catch first-time buyers off guard if nobody mentions it early. We always walk our clients through what's customary for their specific transaction well before closing day, so there are no surprises when the settlement statement comes out.

Have you ever been surprised by who covered title insurance on a past purchase?

07/30/2026

Your August calendar for downtown New Port Richey. Save this one. Between the markets, live music, and family events, there's something all month long. See you out there!

🌞 August is packed with reasons to visit Downtown New Port Richey! 🎉

From live theatre and wellness events to family fun, dining specials, community markets, and unique experiences, there's something happening all month long.

🍹 Celebrity Bartender benefiting New Port Richey Main Street
❄️ Frozen Jr. at Richey Suncoast Theatre
🧘 Thrive on the Square
🎶 Sunshine Sessions
🛍️ Summer in the City
🏊 Kids Night Out: Pool Party
🍽️ Downtown Dine Out Week
🌱 Seeds of the Season
…and recurring favorites like Walk & Talk Club, Tasty Tuesdays, and the Fourth Friday Block Party!

Save/share this calendar, and make the most of August in Downtown New Port Richey. ☀️

07/28/2026

Every closing has a stack of paperwork, and it's fair to wonder why. Each signature represents a separate protection — for you, your lender, the county, or the title itself. It looks like overkill in the moment, but every page is doing a specific job so nothing gets missed later.