Our Process

Once a title order or contract is received we will open a file in our system and promptly place an order for a title search. Your file will then be assigned to a closing team and you will receive a confirmation of your order with contact information from them. You may also communicate directly with the processing team by emailing them at any time with any question you may have.

The processor will begin to gather any additional information that was not obtained from the initial order and will be required for closing, i.e. Property taxes, Realtor(s) contact and agency information, lender information both for Seller, so we may obtain a payoff and for Buyer to coordinate financing of the purchase.. We communicate with the Buyer(s) to determine how they would like to take title to the property (i.e. trust, corporation, LLC, etc). We request from the Seller(s) how they would like to receive the proceeds (i.e. wired funds, 1031 exchange, and escrow check). If requested, we will order and obtain a survey and/or a termite inspection utilizing the best and qualified service companies in our area with competitive rates.

The Title Search is ordered with a Title Insurance Underwriter. The Underwriter will search the property and our examiner will determine what requirements are needed (if any) to clear the property for conveyance and issue a title commitment. The commitment is given to the Processor to clear or satisfy the requested items.

The Processor will call for the proper documentation: such as, a payoff statement for an existing mortgage, Homeowner Association estoppel letter(s) along with copy of approval letter (if applicable), and payoff for any claims or other liens/judgments attached to the property. This task is often a time consuming one. We are at the mercy of Homeowner Associations, Attorneys and government agencies for this information, and by law they often have up to ten days to respond. A survey if applicable will be ordered and reviewed. This is the most important step in the process to assure your real estate purchase is clear and protects you against financial losses due to defects in the title.

The Closer/Title Agent prepares a Federal Regulated document referred to as a “Settlement Statement” or “CD”. This document depicts how the money is to be disbursed to all parties associated with the transfer of a sale or refinance. Once the Settlement Statement is properly executed there cannot be any changes unless the person(s) who executed the document initials the change(s).

The Closer/Title Agent will present the closing documents to the Buyer(s) and the Seller(s). The two most important questions the Buyer(s) and Seller(s) have when closing is “How much money do I need to bring to closing?” and “When will I receive my/our proceeds?” When both sides of the closing transaction have properly executed all documents, the Closer/Title Agent will disburse the monies and give each person a copy of the closing documents.

Seller(s) and Buyer(s), You will need to bring the following items with you to closing:

• Photo identification (valid driver’s license, passport, or state-issued identification card).

If necessary, the closing may be handled via mail. In this case, the closing documents are prepared and sent via UPS or emailed with explicit instructions as where to sign and which documents need to be notarized. Once the packages have been returned to our office, the Closer/Title agent will review all documents for accuracy then disburse accordingly on the closing date.

Once all parties have signed and the documents have been notarized, we will handle all the disbursement of the funds to the required parties per the signed Settlement Statement, and the ownership of real property passed to the new owner.

When Strong Title prepares the recording package to send it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the property is located. This is done electronically to insure timely transfer of ownership in public records. After the recording process is complete, the recorded Deed and/or Mortgage are returned to us and we will prepare the Lenders Title Policy and/or the Owners Title Policy. The recorded Warranty Deed and original Owners Title Insurance Policy will be sent to the homeowner, and the recorded Mortgage and Loan Policy to your lender.

We don’t disappear after the closing, but circle back, and make sure you’ve received your recorded deed and title documents. We answer any remaining questions you have. Ever lose your documents? Just give us a call—we’ve got your back. And we’re available to our past clients at discounted rates for future home purchases to reward loyal, past clients of Strong Title, LLC.