A home purchase is the single most emotionally and financially complex transaction most of us will ever undertake. Not only is a home purchase a substantial and potentially life-changing financial investment, it affects the most personal aspects of our lives — where we live. Knowing that, it’s important to choose the right partners at every step of the home buying journey. Selecting the right title company can be difficult — there’s often not a lot of information available as you look for the right title partner to help you on your home ownership journey. Understanding the 5 things to look for in a title company can help you to make the right choice, and make sure your experience is smooth for as long as you own your home.
Local Expertise
Location, location, location. This real estate truism applies not only to the location of your dream home, but also to the title company you choose to help you seal the deal. Choosing a title company with local expertise can make a big impact on your closing. First, you want to choose a title provider that has local and convenient offices with professionals who are ready to handle not only your closing, but any issues that may come up along the way.
The relevant laws, rules, and regulations that can impact your home’s closing can vary from state to state, or even within a state. Similarly, local quirks in record keeping or recording rules can affect a title search. Selecting a title provider that has local knowledge and experience ensures that the little things don’t hold up your closing or title insurance.
Will Your Title Company Be There If A Problem Arises?
The escrow and title search process is complicated, and it’s not uncommon for unexpected hiccups to come up during the journey from offer to close. In fact, by some estimates, up to 30% of land titles have some kind of defect that needs to be addressed and corrected before a sale can close. When choosing a title company, it’s critical to choose one with closing officers who can respond to problems as they come up, without waiting for a response from a central office. Dealing with an experienced provider means your title provider is likely to be familiar with the types of issues that might be likely to arise. Choosing an experienced provider means having someone in your corner who can anticipate potential problems before they threaten your closing.
A title company that has the resources to support you and your real estate agents and attorneys is a must, especially in a complicated or difficult closing.
Commitment To Superior Service
When you’re choosing a title company, you want one that is committed to offering superior service at every stage of the process. Closing on a home is stressful, and you don’t want to have to wait to get a call back, or feel like you’re being “passed around” from person to person while you try to find someone who understands what’s happening with your home purchase or sale.
At Landtrust Title, we are customer obsessed, and our employees are dedicated to superior customer interactions in all of our transactions. Your deal will have a dedicated single point of contact who will be ready to answer all of your questions. We know how important a home purchase is to you, and we will be ready to help with any questions you may have.
Can My Title Company Meet Critical Deadlines?
Deadlines are everything when it comes to getting your home purchase or sale closed. The closing is not the only deadline your title company needs to meet. In a home sale, all required documents, including the loan estimate, closing disclosure, and title commitment, must be completed on time in order to ensure a seamless closing. Engaging a title partner with a reputation for getting the job done and meeting every critical deadline during the escrow process ensures that your purchase or sale will close in a timely fashion, with no corners cut and no surprises. At Landtrust Title, we have earned our reputation for timely, responsive action at every step of the escrow and closing process.
Can The Title Company Keep Your Money Safe?
Wire fraud is a real and growing concern in the United States. Real estate wire fraud generally refers to a scam in which a hacker gains access to information about a real estate transaction, usually through a technique known as “phishing,” and uses that information to divert payments of earnest money or closing costs to accounts controlled by the hacker. Working with a responsive title company is the most effective way to ensure that you are not the victim of wire fraud — after all, it’s tough for a scammer to convince you to send funds to the wrong account when you can pick up the phone and talk to a knowledgeable professional who can confirm any wire transfer request you receive.
Landtrust Title: Your Partner for Results
When your real estate agent works with Landtrust Title, you get a partner for results. We do things differently than other title companies — whether it’s personalized support, convenient closing times that meet your schedule, or quick and easy payment methods ensuring everyone gets paid right away, our attention to detail will help ensure a smooth transaction. We’re obsessed with making your experience so seamless, you don’t even have to think about it. If you have questions about what to expect when your real estate deal closes, Landtrust Title Services can help. Please contact us today at [email protected] or by phone at 312.528.9210.