Taking a Closer Look
Affordable Florida Title Group
As the housing market experiences unprecedented growth, it is more important than ever to have reliable, efficient professionals to help you close the contracts you and your team have worked hard to drum up. Our Florida real estate title team at Pillar Title Group is just that type of professional.
Of all the people you meet and work with in the real estate industry, title groups are the most competent professionals to give you the legal advice and care you need, not only to make sure your title is clean but also to ensure that everything else in your real estate transaction is watertight.
REAL ESTATE DEALS ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TRANSACTIONS IN ALL OF FINANCE. WHETHER YOU’RE A BUYER, SELLER, LENDER, OR REALTOR, YOU DESERVE THE PEACE OF MIND THAT COMES WITH HAVING OUR FLORIDA REAL ESTATE TITLE GROUP HANDLING YOUR BUSINESS.
At Pillar Title Group, we’ve served the needs of clients in all manner of title transactions. We know that closing is important to you, and we work diligently to make it happen efficiently and when you need it done. To learn more about our services and how we can help, call us at 904-206-7036.
We Serve All Parties to Real Estate Title Transactions
Frequently Asked Questions
A lot goes into guaranteeing a clean title, and the process is known for sometimes causing confusion and breeding questions. A few of the questions frequently posed regarding the title process are listed below.
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The time it takes to produce a clear title varies. If there are no issues, it shouldn’t take more than two weeks. However, if the title needs to go through a curative process, it could be much longer. The professionals you choose to handle your title also have a big impact on how long the process takes.
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This final step is not a drawn-out process. According to Zillow and other industry experts, on average, closing day won’t last more than two hours.
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Defects are commonplace, and many can be cured. If your team discovers a defect, they will inform you of the problem and then take the appropriate steps to clear the title, if so desired.
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Title insurance protects the buyer and lender from losses due to defects in the title that were not discovered during the title search. It also covers errors made by the title search company.
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Title insurance is billed only once when a property is sold. No further payments are required for the duration of ownership.
Feel free to contact us with your questions. We are ready to help you get the answers you need to make important decisions.
Choose Pillar Title Group
We Provide Reliable, Timely and Comprehensive Title Services
At Pillar Title Group, we always work to ensure a smooth, timely, and comprehensive title process, so our clients walk away satisfied at the closing of the transaction. We know that acquiring or selling a property can be a long journey. From the day you start searching or listing until the day you close, months and years can go by. There’s no need to end the journey with title holdups.
You’ll help streamline the final steps of your transaction by employing the services of our Florida real estate title group. Contact us today for an appointment at 904-206-7036.
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Our Team Provides Services that Other Title Companies Cannot
What Does a Title Group Do?
Our Florida title group regularly deal with small and large title defects. Extensive learning and practice in real estate matters help them safeguard their clients from bad real estate deals and find solutions to their problems quickly and efficiently.
FOR LENDERS: Lenders rely heavily on competent title work to keep investments safe. With our skilled Florida real estate title group, you get efficient service with the added benefit of our team’s knowledge and authority.
FOR SELLERS: For sellers, specifically, our Florida real estate title group can identify and clear up any title issues before the sale. Oftentimes, there are liens or other encumbrances that need to be settled. Our Florida title group is particularly helpful in not only handling these types of issues but also advising clients in their approach to settling these issues.
FOR BUYERS: You deserve to have your hard-earned money protected when you purchase a property. With a clean title, you won’t have to worry about surprises down the road. Our Florida real estate group will make sure the title is insured and clean, so you can own it free and clear of any encumbrances.
FOR REALTORS: Realtors exist to close deals. Time spent away from helping clients buy and sell homes drags down their bottom line.
Often, though, realtors’ efforts can get hampered by title problems, such as chain-of-title issues. Contract and property-line disputes also frequently arise. Our seasoned Florida real estate group can handle all the behind-the-scenes details while the realtor spends time closing the deal.
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Draft Documents
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Identify Problems
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Efficient Closings
Florida Real Estate Title Groups: Get A Clear Title, Fast.
Understanding The Title Process
The title process is one of the most important aspects of real estate. It is at this stage that the history of the property will be analyzed thoroughly.
Steps Toward Your Clear Title & Closing
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Once the buyer and seller sign a contract and an escrow deposit is made, a title order is opened, and numerous documents are ordered, including: tax documents, loan documents, inspections and reports, insurance documents, and ther legal documents.
Public records and documents relating to the property are also pulled and analyzed. They include: deeds, easements, mortgages, liens, and wills.
Essentially, any document, public or private, that affects the property is scrutinized for issues, also known as title defects, that may impact the sale. According to a Washington Post article, title companies report that more than 33% of title searches yield a title defect that needs to be addressed before the sale can close.
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Proper inspection of public records requires a keen eye that verifies the details and consistency of information across many public documents. Sometimes, errors show themselves, be they clerical, survey, or other issues.
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Florida law has strict requirements for the conveyance of real estate. Oftentimes, title groups come across deeds that contain errors. In some cases, these mistakes are not substantial; at other times, they can potentially nullify the transaction unless remedied.
Fortunately, Florida law allows deeds to be “cured” in some cases. If your title search turns up a deed with one or more defects, our Florida title group can explain the options you have for curing the deed, if possible.
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Forged deeds are not uncommon in Florida. They are void under the law and convey no property rights whatsoever. Title groups specifically look for signs of forgery and verify the authenticity of all signatures on the deeds they analyze.
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It’s not rare for undisclosed liens to come to light. In a perfect world, the seller would know about and communicate to the buyer the presence of every lien on the property. Unfortunately, hidden liens are discovered frequently, and their presence can substantially alter the value or even the viability of a deal.
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Sometimes, the documents match up, but the sale was fraudulent. For example, someone may impersonate a seller and complete a real estate transaction. If there is fraud anywhere in the deed’s chain of title, you could be looking at serious problems.
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An easement is a right of way through your property, often for someone else to access another parcel or for utility companies. It’s exactly the type of information you want to know about before a deal closes. An easement can effectively derail your planned usage of the property and allow individuals access to your land.
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Once the search and examination phase has ended, a report (title commitment) is prepared and sent to all parties of interest. At this point, all issues and defects will be on the table and parties will have to come to an agreement to resolve any problems before there can be a settlement.
After any issues have been resolved, a closing statement is prepared. It’s a settlement sheet that will have the costs of the buyer and seller listed in an itemized fashion. Additionally, the new deed will be prepared, along with a bill of sale, FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) paperwork, and other important legal documents.
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Closing is the culmination of a lot of hard work. It takes place at a scheduled date and time and consists of the signing of documents by both the seller and buyer. It is also at this time that money is distributed, and all interested parties get their due compensation. Subsequently, the documents are filed with the appropriate public agencies.
Our Florida Title Group Provides Reliable Results Every Time
Real estate transactions are major investments involving finances and law. The title process is one part of many to be fulfilled. With Pillar Title Group, you get a team of professionals who can handle all aspects of a real estate deal, whether you’re the buyer, seller, lender, or realtor.
Typical Expenses in the Title Process
The title process includes various expenses. These closing costs often vary wildly between transactions and between buyer and seller, as well. Some of the common outlays include money for:
- Title search services
- Title insurance
- Lender fees
- Taxes
- Inspections
The cost of each of these services is specific to the situation at hand. Our qualified title group can give you a preliminary idea of how much your expenses will be.
What to Bring to a Real Estate Closing
At this last stage of the transaction, you want to make sure you arrive with everything you need, so you can truly close the deal that day.
BUYER: When you get to the closing, you must have a government-issued photo ID that has not expired. You’ll also need a cashier’s check covering the total amount of the closing costs. Closing costs may also be covered by a wire transfer. You should have a personal checkbook as well, in the event that there’s an 11th-hour financial change.
Additionally, arrive with your closing disclosure, which contains the agreed-upon terms of your mortgage. You’ll also need to have proof of insurance with you. Without it, the lender will not approve the mortgage loan.
SELLER: Have a valid government-issued ID along with any warranties you have for household appliances and equipment. Bring proof of required inspections as well, per your agreement with the buyer, and bring all keys, door openers, and codes.