What To Look For When Choosing A Title Service Provider

Congratulations! You're closing on a house. After all the research, open houses, negotiations, and paperwork, your hard work is almost coming to fruition. The last step of the process is finding a good title company to ensure a homeowner can legally sell you a home and transfer ownership and property rights to you. A title company will tediously go through all the legal records on the house, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the transition as seamless as possible. 

But how do you select the best title company? You should, of course, ask people you trust for any referrals, including friends, family, or other real estate agents who have worked with other title companies. Then, it's time to start doing your research. Here are just a few of the criteria you should look for when choosing a title service provider: 

• Reputation. Look at different title companies' websites and online reviews to get a good idea of their reputation. Their website should be easy to use, with varying links to testimonials, social media pages, services offered, etc. When looking at reviews, look for positive experiences and any patterns of complaints, as this can give you a great idea of how your experience might go if you choose to work with them. And don't overlook the importance of reputation- remember, this is the biggest purchase of your life, and you want to guarantee you're working with a trusted and reputable company. 

• Experience. Take a look at their professional experience. For example, are they using updated technology? Do they work with other reputable companies and agents? How much experience do their representatives have? All of this could make the difference in how smooth the transferral goes. 

• Fees. Buying a home is already expensive, so you'll want to compare the costs of different title companies to make sure you're getting the best rates. Ask who pays the fees (the buyer or the seller), the pay structure, and what services are included in the fees. Most companies should be able to disclose these fees to you and whether they are subject to change– beware of any companies who don't. 

• Office Location. You'll be signing papers and showing proof of ID and other paperwork several times throughout the process, so having a company close to you is more important than you think. This could help you save hours of valuable time. 

• Customer Service. Before you make any decisions, you'll want to call the company and speak to a few agents to see how you'll be treated. As you ask questions, are they being transparent and honest? Are they hostile? Do they treat you with respect? As you close on the house, you'll want to be comfortable asking questions and clarifying what's going on. 

Guarantee Abstract Co. has provided our customers with commendable service and unparalleled support for all of their real estate title and closing needs for over 90 years. We work with all parties, including sellers, buyers, lenders, and real estate agents, to bring the transaction to the closing table. With our extensive experience and expertise, you can trust us to provide the right solutions the first time. Visit our website to learn more, or call us at 580-237-2244 to get started today. 

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Sources: 

https://www.ownerly.com/real-estate/how-to-choose-a-title-company/ 

https://www.homevestors.com/blog/choose-title-company/ 

https://www.americanfinancing.net/mortgage-basics/best-title-companies