As a real estate agent, it’s your responsibility to have your go-to contacts for every transaction. You have your recommended contractor, lender, and inspector, but do you have a trustworthy title company that can take care of your clients? Choosing a title company is an important decision, so make sure you ask these questions to make the right choice.
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What is their reputation?
Testimonials and reviews from other agents and lenders are essential factors to consider. Ask around in your circles to see who your colleagues have used and their experience. No company will ever have 100% positive reviews, but getting a general feel for their reputation in the industry is important in helping you choose the right title team.
Ask about their customer service and communication. Do they pick up the phone when you call? Do they get back to you? Have they treated your clients professionally and with respect? How have they handled unforeseen circumstances? These are all good questions to get to know how other real estate professionals feel about the title company.
What is their experience?
On top of having an overall favorable reputation, you should ask about their experience in the industry. How long have they been in the title business? What measures do they take to protect sensitive information? Do they carry cyber insurance? How will they protect your client against wire fraud? What is their track record for meeting crucial deadlines?
Working with a well-seasoned title company means they are less likely to make small mistakes that could turn into bigger problems. Not only is this going to make your closing go smoother, but it will reflect on you as your client’s representative. A reality of being an agent is that your clients won’t understand much about the separations of responsibilities and who does what, so you want to make sure you work with a title company that will take care of them.
What are their fees?
Your clients will want to know you scoured the market to find the most effective and cost-efficient title company for them. Once you’ve asked around and found a couple of reputable title companies, reach out and ask for their fees. On top of this, you’ll want to know what is included in these fees and what would be an extra charge. For example, would they charge an additional fee to send a notary or closing to your client? Are there any cases in which these prices could change
You can hang on to these fee disclosures and compare them with the preliminary settlement statement that comes out a few days before closing.
What is the process?
Every title company will do things a little differently. So when you’re getting to know a new title team, make sure you ask what their process is. For example, will you always work with the same person? Will you work with one person from start to finish? Or are there different departments for different parts of the transaction? Are they available by email, text, or phone call? What is expected from you as the agent?
Whatever their process, it’s essential to know the answers to these questions not only for yourself but so you can prepare your clients for what is to come.
Where are they located?
You’ll become a frequent visitor to your title company, so you’ll want to make sure it’s in a convenient location for you. You may need to drop off escrow funds, pick up documents, meet clients to sign paperwork, etc. You should also get to know their business structure and whether they operate as branch locations or run all operations through one office.
If they don’t work in your area, will this cause any issues? Or will they be able to handle your transaction seamlessly online?
Sunnyside Title – Your trusted title team
Sunnyside Title Company is a family-owned and operated Title Insurance and Settlement agency based in Hackensack, New Jersey. They know how important it is to work with people you trust. Their diligence and dedication to providing valuable service have earned them the reputation of being trustworthy real estate partners. They are a full-service title company specializing in residential and commercial transactions.
