Buying a house in Florida is no easy task, especially in this current market. You have to decide the type of property and location you are looking for. Then, you have to get pre-approved by a lender for your desired amount and find a realtor who can help show you the best properties for you. Even after you have found a property, negotiated a sale price, and completed everything with the mortgage company, you still have to go through the actual closing process.
This is where a title company comes in. So, just like with the mortgage company and the realtor, it’s also important to know how to pick a title company. After all, they are the ones handling all the financials at the end and finalizing the sale of the property. Here are some things you should know when it comes to selecting a title company for your home purchase.
What Is A Title Company and What Do They Do?
To put it simply, a title company handles all the legwork when it comes to the financial aspects of the sale, including the legal transfer of the property from the seller to the buyer. Let’s take a look at some of the things that a title company is tasked with doing so that you can have a better understanding of the process.
They Act As An Escrow Agent
Throughout the process of a real estate transaction, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the financial side of things. There are deposits that the buyer will put down, there’s the money that the mortgage company pays out, and there’s also the money that goes to the buyer once the property is sold.
A title company will serve as an escrow for all this, holding onto and then distributing money throughout the entire process. They will also receive and keep track of all the different documents that are involved in the transaction including the various contracts and agreements.
They Act As The Closing Agent
In addition to acting as the escrow agent, a title company will also act as the closing agent throughout the entire process. That means that they will coordinate and communicate with all people and agencies involved in the sale of the property including:
- Realtors
- Lenders
- HOA’s (if applicable)
- Buyer(s) and the seller(s) and their attorneys
- Local municipalities
They will also make sure that all the necessary documents are properly filled out, signed, and delivered.
They Will Review the Title
While this might not seem like a big to-do, reviewing the title of the property is one of, if not the most important part of the entire transaction. One of the things a title company does is obtain a copy of the title from the local municipality and check to make sure that there are no liens on the property.
They will also check and make sure that everything is up to code and that there are no open, outstanding permits. If these issues are not caught by the title company before the property is transferred, they become the responsibility of the buyer upon the property title being transferred.
They Issue All The Documents Upon Closing
After the closing has been completed, the title company will have the property title transferred and issued to the buyer. In addition, they will provide the buyer with a title insurance policy.
This policy protects the buyer from any undisclosed or undiscovered issues that could arise in the coming weeks or months after the completion of the purchase. This insurance is paid for by a one-time premium that is part of the fees paid during the closing process and protects the buyer for as long as they own the property.
How Do I Choose A Title Company?
There are no shortages of title companies. So, how do you go about picking the right one and, more importantly, one you can trust? There are a few things to consider when it comes to picking the right title company.
Experience
This should go without saying, but you want to make sure you use a title company that has a lot of experience. A lot of things can go wrong during the home buying process, especially if you are using people who might not have a lot of experience. You want to make sure to choose a title company that has “seen it all” that way, in the event of an unforeseen situation, they will know how to handle it.
Reputation
A title company handles some of the most important aspects of the home buying process. They are responsible for large sums of money, important legal documents, and making sure that the property you are buying can legally be purchased.
Since buying a home will likely be one of the largest and most important purchases of your life, you don’t want to use just anyone. It’s important to do your homework and make sure you are using a title company that has an exemplary record and is reputable and trustworthy.
Customer Service
Since the title company handles so many aspects of the closing process, you want to make sure you use a company that has great customer service. After all, you will be communicating with the title company a lot during the home buying process. It is important to make sure you choose a company that will answer all your questions and explains everything to you in a way that you can understand.
Want To Know More About How To Pick A Title Company?
Picking the right title company is just as important as picking the right property. Galaxy Title is a one-of-a-kind title company with over a decade of experience in the area. We are proud to offer both a licensed attorney and a CPA on staff to provide you with the best experience possible. For more information about the services we offer, contact us today.
Mitchell has been a licensed attorney since 2014 and has practiced in both the transactional and litigation fields of law. His experience allows him to approach every transaction with a depth of knowledge and practical experience most attorneys do not possess. Mitchell prides himself on providing top notch service to his clients.