Why Choose Us
Learn What Our Florida Real Estate Title Group Can Do for Lenders
As a lender for real estate purchases, you know the importance of having a title that’s free and clear. But the title process often brings up issues that can threaten to slow down or put a halt to the process. With our Florida real estate title group for lenders working with you, you get the assurance that your problems will be resolved swiftly and competently.
Our firm is willing to travel wherever needed in Northeast Florida to perform a lender’s title work so that it’s convenient for you. We’ll make sure the title is quickly and accurately verified. We also offer reasonable fees and do not include any unnecessary “junk fees.” Lenders who work with Pillar Title Group know that the title will be ready for the closing process, and there will be no surprises during the last stage of the home buying/selling process. We pride ourselves on providing customized, personable service.
If you are a lender and need more from a title company than just filing papers, contact Pillar Title Group at 904-206-7036.
We Provide Services to All Parties Involved in the Title Process, Including:
SELLERS: If you have questions about contracts, creating deeds, negotiating transaction terms, and so much more, Pillar Title Group can help.
BUYERS: The housing market experiences it’s share of ups and downs and can be a stressful time for the buyer. We will work with you to uncover any hidden issues that may impede your ability to successfully purchase a home and make the process as smooth as possible.
LENDERS: Once buyers and sellers have agreed to a transaction, this is where a lender’s work is usually necessary. If you have questions about the agreement laid out, our team can help determine answers and provide direction for many issues that are uncovered.
REALTORS: Having Pillar Title Group as an asset at your disposal can set a realtor apart from the competition. Our team is affiliated with a law firm located in Jacksonville, allowing us to quickly answer questions your clients have during the home buying and selling process. When a quick and correct answer can make or break a deal, you need all tools at the ready.
Seasoned Professionals Who Are Dedicated to Our Clients
Pillar Title Group has exactly what you need as an investor: a skilled Florida real estate title group for lenders as part of a team of professionals. We care about your investment and understand the risks you take as a lender. For this reason, we work diligently to ensure that your interests are protected from the moment you hire us until closing.
In a perfect world, the title process would rarely yield problems. However, in the real world, title problems are to be expected. They directly affect the real estate deal at hand and all parties’ interests.
Working with a seasoned Florida real estate title group for lenders will ensure that you’re prepared for these problems and risks. Contact us today at 904-206-7036.
Lenders’ FAQs About Florida Titles
Our Title Group for Lenders Answers Common Questions About Florida Titles
The title process brings up questions for our clients, and we’re happy to provide the answers they’re looking for. Below are a few common inquiries we receive about lending and titles.
-
When there are no issues with the title, the process should take no more than ten business days. However, problems may arise that delay the process. If the problems have a legal component requiring the services of a title group, then it is of immeasurable help to have a Florida title group for lenders.
-
Title issues don’t always occur. However, they happen frequently enough to warrant hiring a skilled professional to look after your interests.
-
A Florida real estate title group can resolve a wide array of issues that may come up during the title process. Fraud and forgery are absolute deal enders, however.
-
If you’re not sure what a title group does for a lender, you may find you need one even if you assume you can do without. Above all, a Florida title group for lenders ensures that the property in question is clear of issues.
-
The nature of the problem will determine the response from the real estate title group for lenders.
If you have any questions besides those listed above, feel free to contact us for more answers. We work hard to keep our clients educated and informed about the title process and welcome their questions anytime.
Florida Real Estate Title Group for Lenders
Navigating the Title Process with a Seasoned Professional
Reaching the final step of a real estate transaction is an exciting time for all parties. Now that the buyer and seller have agreed in substance and have a contract in place, it’s time to vet the property documents.
Every document associated with the underlying property will need to be reviewed to determine whether the title is free and clear of any encumbrances, which could directly jeopardize the lender’s money and the entire transaction.
Common Issues During the Title Process
A variety of issues arise during the title process. Many of them ultimately do not endanger the real estate transaction, but they need to be resolved nonetheless. Due to the nature of many of these problems, it’s beneficial to have a Florida real estate title group handling your affairs.
Liens
Property is subject to liens for unpaid balances on all types of accounts. With enough money, most liens can be settled. However, the price of settling the liens may not be worth the investment. As a lender, you may want to modify the terms of your loan in the face of a property lien.
Common types of liens include:
- Mechanic’s lien, placed by contractors
- County tax lien
- IRS lien
- Child support lien.
A real estate title group for lenders will find these or any other liens on the property if they exist.
Inaccurate Public Records
Illegible documents or transcription errors are common enough to cause a lender concern. Fortunately, many common issues — such as small typographical errors — can be resolved quickly, with a scrivener’s affidavit.
If the error is substantial, however, the validity of the title could be in doubt.
Mortgage Problems and Foreclosures
Many times, as was seen during the economic downturn of 2008, mortgage foreclosures can cause serious issues with the chain of title. Statutes now exist that mandate how foreclosures should happen and how to fix errors when they occur. These problems can be complicated and are familiar territory for seasoned title groups. Although they can be time-consuming to resolve, the right professional will handle the issues in a competent manner.
When examining the foreclosure agreements, a title group will want an answer to the following questions:
- Did the property description remain consistent throughout the entire process?
- Was the foreclosure complaint sufficiently established?
- Does the plaintiff’s lien supersede the defendant’s interests?
- Was proper service given to all defendants?
An experienced Florida title group for lenders will work with their lender client and advise them if they uncover any mortgage or foreclosure problems during the course of their investigation. In some cases, there are statutory protections for lenders, such as the Florida Safe Harbor Law.
This law protects lenders from unpaid homeowners’ association or condominium fees that have accrued over time. The statutory protection makes lenders liable for only 12 months of expenses or 1% of the original mortgage debt, whichever is less. The new property owner, however, is on the hook for the full amount.
Chain of Title Issues
The chain of title refers to the basic ownership history of a piece of property, beginning with its root of title. To establish a clean title, title groups for lenders must analyze the conveyances of property and documents produced throughout the years to determine what parties have interests in the property.
A break in the chain of title often refers to an incomplete or inaccurate record of conveyance. Common reasons for breaks, for example, include name changes, failure to include a party, and missing legal or financial documents.
Easements
Easements are rights of way through a piece of property. The discovery of one during the title search can lead to an unmarketable property and end the deal if the easement is substantial enough to interfere with the contemplated use of the property.
If the easement is insignificant, then the buyer may still be obligated to follow through with the sale. In instances such as these, lenders often need guidance in many areas, including their obligations as a lender in the face of a discovered encumbrance.
Forged Deeds and Fraud
In all instances, a forged deed is void. As such, the true property owner retains their ownership. However, property transactions based on fake deeds happen in Florida. Even if the buyer was a bona fide purchaser, the property would still belong to the true owner.
There is no circumstance where forgery or fraud can be the basis for a legal conveyance of land. As a lender, you need the assurance that the title search of the property you are financing reveals any fraudulent activity before you transfer funds.
Inheritance Issues
There are all types of inheritance issues that can potentially derail a closing. It’s essential that the professional you have researching your case searches the records diligently to find any missing claims to the property.
In some cases, a missing will that conveys property rights to someone else might turn up. This happens often when a property is handled by probate. Missing heirs also turn up to cast serious doubt on a property’s true owner.
Illegal Deeds
A deed is like a contract, and certain conditions must be true for it to be legal. For example, a deed signed under duress is not a valid deed. Additionally, if a deed is signed by someone deemed to be mentally incompetent or a minor, then that deed is invalid.
The problems listed above are only some of the issues parties to the title process regularly face. Fortunately, many of them are curable and navigable with a seasoned real estate title group for lenders at the helm.
Our Services Protect Your Investment
At Pillar Title Group, we give our clients the best of many worlds. Our team consists not only of real estate professionals but also seasoned groups who have worked with numerous lenders to get buyers into their homes fast. As such, we can provide our clients with the advice and services they need when issues arise. Our No. 1 goal is to create the conditions that lead to smooth transactions and minimal delays. When you work with us, the buyers you service will appreciate the speed and efficiency of our service, because it gets them into their new properties quickly.
Keep in mind, too, that real estate agents, realtors, and title companies are not allowed to provide legal advice. They can cite requirements, but under the law, they are not allowed to engage in any interpretation. Additionally, Florida real estate law is messy and difficult to navigate. That’s why we’re here to help.
Our firm is willing to travel wherever needed in Northeast Florida to handle title work for lenders. We also offer reasonable fees that do not include any unnecessary “junk fees.” Lenders who work with Pillar Title Group know that all title work will be handled professionally and efficiently, and the title will be ready for the closing process.
If you would like to discuss the benefits of working with a title company, contact Pillar Title Group today at 904-206-7036 to speak with a Florida title group for lenders.
Get Help Today
