SEARCHLIGHT
TITLE SERVICES

When an order comes into our office, we will need to know the parties to the transaction, the type of transaction (Refinance or Sale/Purchase), the type of property involved (Commercial or Residential), confirmation of legal description, the type of title insurance policy being ordered (Basic or Enhanced) and contact information for all parties involved. Once we have everything we need, we will open a new file in our system and send out an order confirmation.

Once the file is opened, we conduct a thorough examination of the property’s title. This is typically handled by our in-house title examiners, though we may use third-party services for out-of-area counties. The examiner identifies any requirements needed to clear the title for closing. We then prepare a "Title Commitment" along with a cover letter outlining the necessary requirements for closing and exceptions for the final insurance policy. This commitment is shared with all parties involved and guides our processing team in preparing the file for closing.

Our processing team gathers important information for closing, such as property taxes, broker commissions, seller mortgage payoffs, and buyer loan fees, ensuring everything is ready once the closing is scheduled. We confirm that all requirements listed on the title commitment are fulfilled by the closing date. As closing approaches, our team works closely with all parties to finalize payoffs, fees, names, and authorized signers. Drafts of key closing documents, including the "Settlement Statement" or "CD," are uploaded to our secure ClosingLock portal for review. Early document review allows parties to request any necessary corrections or changes before closing.

We offer flexible and secure closing options to accommodate all clients, whether they prefer a traditional in-person closing, need a remote option due to scheduling or location challenges, or require coordination across multiple parties, locations, or days. During the closing, our closing officer presents the documents for signature and confirms any recent changes to the property to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. Once all documents are signed and funds are received, the closing agent disburses the funds and provides copies of the closing documents. Our goal is to make the closing process seamless, secure, and convenient for everyone involved.

After the closing, we upload all signed copies through the ClosingLock porta and prepare the necessary documents, such as deeds and mortgages, to send to the county Register of Deeds for recording, often electronically for faster processing. Once the recorded documents are returned, we perform a final title check and prepare the final title policy. The recorded documents and policy are then distributed electronically to the appropriate parties, completing the process and closing our file.