what is differnece title company responsibilities and realstate attorney

by Addison Keeling 6 min read

The title company and the real estate attorney are both extremely important in a successful real estate transaction. However, the roles of the title company and attorney differ. As highlighted above, the title company is an agent of all parties to the agreement, while the real estate attorney is only an agent to the client of that attorney.

A title company works for the title insurer and must focus on protecting their business, while an attorney focuses on protecting you, their client. Also, attorneys have an ethical responsibility to represent the client's interests, to advocate for their client and must answer to the State Bar.

Full Answer

What is the difference between a real estate attorney and title company?

Jun 11, 2018 · A significant difference between working with a closing attorney as opposed to a title company is the breadth of involvement. A closing attorney's responsibility is multi-faceted. They can help with loan documentation and disbursement, as well as, explain deeds and notes associated with the purchase.

What does a title company do in real estate?

Is a real estate lawyer a better choice than a title company when it comes to selling your home? You can choose any one of the two but you should first be aware of the difference between real estate lawyers and title companies.

What is the role of a title company and closing attorney?

Nov 10, 2017 · As highlighted above, the title company is an agent of all parties to the agreement, while the real estate attorney is only an agent to the client of that attorney. The attorney has the ability to read and analyze legal documents, advise the client, and seek legal action in case of any harm to the client.

Why should I hire an attorney instead of a title company?

Mar 20, 2018 · Financially speaking, there is no difference between having a Florida real estate lawyer handle a residential closing and a title company closing the deal. However, having an attorney at the closing ready to provide advice can be invaluable to a buyer, especially when any of the above issues arises during the residential closing process.

Are closing company and title company the same?

So, the difference between a title company and a closing attorney is that the title company will always be the one that's insuring the title and providing the actual escrow. The closing attorney may or may not be involved in that process depending on who has hired that attorney.Mar 30, 2019

What does a real estate attorney do for a buyer?

What Does A Real Estate Attorney Do? Real estate attorneys know how to, and are legally authorized to, prepare and review documents and contracts related to the sale and purchase of a home. In some cases, a real estate attorney is also the person who'll be in charge of your closing.Jan 6, 2022

What is the difference between a title company and a real estate attorney?

1. A title company works for the title insurer, not the buyer or the seller, whereas real estate attorneys work for whomever hires them.

What are closing costs in Florida?

Many closing costs such as title insurance premiums, documentary stamps, and recording costs are set by the State of Florida. They are the same whether an attorney or a title agent is facilitating the process.

What is title insurance?

The Title and Title Insurance for Purchasing Your Home. A notable overlap of responsibilities for both the title company and the closing attorney is to secure a clean title to your property. The title is crucial for all buyers as it gives you a legal right to the house that you've purchased.

Do you need title insurance when buying a house?

Title insurance is optional if, and only if, you purchase the property with cash. Most lenders will have title insurance as a requirement for the loan. If someone were to materialize and declare themselves as the rightful owner of the property, the title insurance will protect your investment by covering the costs of the house and ...

What does a title search confirm?

The title search confirms outstanding mortgages, judgments, unpaid taxes or other issues that would profoundly impact ownership. What you don't want to end up with is a title with liens or to discover that there are other partial owners of the property.

What does a title company do?

Title companies work on behalf of many title insurers rather than the buyer or seller of the house. Their responsibilities sometimes also include obtaining a copy of a possible survey of the property. The review of the survey would confirm property lines and identify any encroachments or easements from neighbors.

What does a closing attorney do?

The task of the closing attorney is overseeing the purchase and sale agreement in a real estate transaction. The attorney will review all documents associated with the purchase. These instruments range from deeds to settlement statements. Closing attorneys also take on the task of examining the title and overseeing the purchasing of the title insurance. A significant difference between working with a closing attorney as opposed to a title company is the breadth of involvement. A closing attorney's responsibility is multi-faceted. They can help with loan documentation and disbursement, as well as, explain deeds and notes associated with the purchase. They represent the buyer as opposed to the insurer, assisting with any legal problems or questions that might crop up during the settlement process.

What is title company?

Title companies are insurance agencies that represent title insurance companies. Such companies insure titles to lenders and buyers by ensuring that a title is free from any encumbrance that can cause financial loss.

Can a title company hold down a down payment?

Title companies can hold the down payment and close your home without additional costs. Also, there is a possibility that title companies may give you a discount on your title insurance if you had previously used their services to either refinance or buy your home or property. Lawyers can also close your home/property sale and hold your down payment but may charge an additional fee.

What is a title company?

The title company serves as a neutral agent for all parties of the real estate transaction, including but not limited to: the buyer, the seller, the lender, the insurance company agent. The title company is present at all stages of the transaction; therefore, one cannot undermine its importance in a successful real estate sale.

Does title insurance have a commission?

The title company may also issue what is called “title insurance”. It is important to note that the company itself does not create policies nor is it liable under the policy; instead the title company sells the policy as an agent of the insurance company and receives a commission for issuing the policy.

What is earnest money?

Earnest money is the reasonable amount of money to be delivered to the title company with the contract; in the event of a breach this amount will be paid to the seller of the property.

Is a title company an attorney?

The title company and the real estate attorney are both extremely important in a successful real estate transaction. However, the roles of the title company and attorney differ. As highlighted above, the title company is an agent of all parties to the agreement, while the real estate attorney is only an agent to the client of that attorney.

What is a GF number?

It is important to note that this receipt will include what is called a guaranty file number (GF Number) which is the number used to identify the file. The GF number is important especially when communicating with the closer. The process listed above is referred to as “Opening Title”.

What is the job of a closer?

The closer communicates with the seller, buyer, and lender and moves the parties to the closing. Immediately prior to closing, the closer is responsible for collecting all documents (loan documents, the deed) and prepares what is called a settlement statement to be presented at the closing. The closing occurs (typically at the title company) ...

What are the laws for condos in Florida?

There are extensive laws in Florida that relate specifically to condo unit owners and condominiums. Anyone purchasing a Florida condo should know what their rights and duties will be as a condo owner. For instance: 1 will they be able to rent the condo? If so, how often and for how long? 2 Is there an age requirement? 3 Can you have pets? 4 What about storage, parking, and dockage? 5 Can the new owner transfer his or her interest in these elements and who is responsible for the cost to maintain them?

What does the seller have to disclose in Florida?

Under Florida law, the seller must disclose issues regarding the property that the seller knew about, or should have known about, which a buyer would not be able to discover even with an inspection.

Does Florida require a real estate agent?

Florida does not require an attorney to oversee a residential real estate transaction. A buyer can purchase a home or condo in Florida and get a mortgage without getting legal advice from an attorney. A real estate agent can provide standardized contract forms, and a title company can issue title insurance and conduct the closing.

What can a Florida lawyer do?

A Florida lawyer can give legal advice on any adverse matters shown on a survey, like easements encroachments, and other boundary issues such as fence lines and pool decks. 11. Different Ways To Own Real Estate; Different Deeds. In Florida, there are various ways to hold legal ownership of residential real estate.

Can a lawyer read a Florida inspection report?

A Florida lawyer can read the inspection report and the inspection company’s contract to make sure the buyer is adequately protected. Inspections companies like to limit their liability to the cost of the inspection report.

What happens if you hire a real estate attorney in Florida?

If you hire a Florida real estate lawyer, you create an attorney-client relationship and the lawyer is your fiduciary. He or she answers to the party that has hired the lawyer.

Is Florida a legal state for real estate?

A Florida lawyer can explain the pros and cons of these different forms of ownership (tenants in common, tenancy by the entirety, and joint tenants with the right of survivorship) and counsel on the different types of deeds, which include: