Reliable, Secure & Professional Title Settlement Solutions
A title agency provides a range of services that support real estate transactions from the first title search through closing and post-closing record handling. These services protect buyers, sellers, lenders, and other parties by identifying ownership issues, clearing defects, and issuing title insurance. Below is a detailed category-by-category breakdown.
This is the core service of a title agency.
Public records search
Reviews deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, tax records, probate records, and other recorded documents.
Chain of title review
Traces the history of ownership to confirm how title passed from one owner to the next.
Defect identification
Looks for issues such as missing signatures, boundary disputes, unreleased mortgages, unpaid taxes, or inheritance problems.
Commitment preparation
Prepares a title commitment showing what must be satisfied before title insurance can be issued.
Curative review
Identifies items that must be resolved before closing, such as judgments, liens, or ownership discrepancies.
Title insurance protects against losses from covered defects in title.
Owner’s title insurance
Protects the property owner’s interest in the property.
Lender’s title insurance
Protects the mortgage lender’s interest in the loan collateral.
Commercial title insurance
Covers office buildings, retail properties, industrial properties, and investment assets.
Residential title insurance
Covers single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and multi-family residences.
Extended coverage policies
Provides broader protection in some transactions where additional risks are insured.
These services coordinate the actual transfer of property.
Closing coordination
Schedules and manages the closing process among buyers, sellers, lenders, and attorneys.
Document preparation
Prepares deeds, affidavits, settlement statements, mortgage documents, and other closing papers.
Funds disbursement
Handles the proper distribution of closing funds, including payoffs, taxes, commissions, and recording fees.
Signing support
Oversees execution of documents so everything is completed correctly.
Final settlement statement review
Ensures all credits, debits, and adjustments are accurately reflected.
A title agency may hold and distribute funds in a secure manner.
Escrow holding
Holds earnest money deposits or other funds pending closing.
Payoff administration
Sends money to existing mortgage lenders to satisfy prior liens.
Tax and fee allocation
Collects and disburses taxes, recording charges, municipal fees, and related expenses.
Neutral fund management
Safeguards transaction funds until contract conditions are satisfied.
These services are designed for home purchases and refinancing.
Purchase closings
Manages title work for buyers acquiring a home.
Refinance closings
Handles new loan transactions replacing existing mortgages.
New construction closings
Supports transactions involving newly built homes.
Condominium and cooperative transactions
Addresses special ownership and association-related requirements.
Cash purchases
Provides title protection even where no mortgage loan is involved.
Commercial real estate often requires more complex title support.
Office, retail, and industrial closings
Supports acquisition and financing of business properties.
Multi-parcel title review
Examines multiple parcels or legal descriptions involved in one transaction.
Entity ownership review
Reviews corporate, LLC, or partnership authority to ensure proper signing.
Survey and easement review
Identifies access issues, encroachments, and land-use restrictions.
Complex curative work
Resolves advanced title issues tied to prior ownership, liens, bankruptcy, or probate.
These services clear problems that would otherwise delay or prevent closing.
Lien resolution
Works to clear mortgages, judgments, tax liens, or mechanic’s liens.
Probate and estate issues
Helps resolve title held by deceased owners or inherited property.
Heirship matters
Addresses ownership problems when heirs or missing parties are involved.
Boundary and survey issues
Works through encroachments, easements, or legal description problems.
Release and corrective document processing
Prepares or coordinates corrective deeds, satisfactions, affidavits, and other curing documents.
After closing, documents must be properly recorded and tracked.
County recording
Submits deeds, mortgages, and related documents to the public records office.
Post-closing audit
Verifies that all documents and funds were handled correctly.
Policy issuance
Issues final title insurance policies after recording is completed.
Document tracking
Confirms that recording has been finalized and documents returned.
File retention and archiving
Maintains transaction records for future reference or claims support.
Title agencies often work closely with mortgage lenders.
Loan commitment preparation
Confirms title requirements for the lender before funding.
Closing protection coordination
Helps ensure lender conditions are satisfied at closing.
Mortgage document handling
Assists with the execution and recording of loan documents.
Payoff verification
Confirms existing liens are properly paid off and released.
Funding instructions compliance
Ensures lender instructions are followed precisely.
These are additional services that support a smoother closing experience.
Title clearing consultations
Advises on issues that may affect transferability or marketability.
Estate and trust coordination
Assists where ownership involves trusts, estates, or guardianships.
Coordinates timing and documentation in tax-deferred exchange transactions.
REO and foreclosure support
Helps with properties acquired by lenders or investors through distress situations.
Relocation transaction support
Assists transactions involving employer relocation programs.