why use closing attorney instead of title company florida real estate

by Magdalen Swaniawski 8 min read

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.

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Can a Florida real estate lawyer be a closing agent?

Here’s Why You Should Use a Florida Real Estate Lawyer Instead of a Title Company for your Closing. Call or E-mail for Consultation. 954-334-1122. Home ... Here’s Why You Should Use a Florida Real Estate Lawyer Instead of a Title Company for your Closing ...

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

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.

How do I choose the right title company for my closing?

Apr 19, 2013 · 1. When using an attorney as the closing agent, the client has legal representation throughout the transaction, from contract negotiations through closing. In contrast, a title company’s role is solely limited to preparing basic form documents necessary to issue a title insurance policy in connection with the closing.

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

In Florida, you have a choice: You can hire a title insurance company or a real estate attorney for your real estate purchase or sale. When you’re considering choosing a title company vs. real estate attorney, you should think about the entire closing process and your closing experience.

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 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 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.

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.

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 ...

Why do title companies close?

Some title companies are willing to close a transaction with issues in the chain of title simply because their title insurance underwriter is willing to issue a title insurance policy. However, there are risks of closing a deal with certain title issues pending against the property.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Communication And Trust

Our dedication to superior customer service, and our efficient and transparent communication system are why thousands of homebuyers and sellers have chosen Title Partners of South Florida to handle their closings since 1995. Check out our reviews on Google, Yelp or Facebook. Social proof is an essential tool for selecting a title company.

Security And Regulatory Compliance

Choosing a title company with strict regulatory compliance is essential. Attorneys are not regulated by the Florida Department of Financial Services as title companies are. Also, a title company that has the ALTA (American Land Title Association) best practices certification will:

Title Insurance Customized To Your Needs

All title insurance issues, questions and recommendations are best handled by a title company. You should purchase title insurance from a title insurance company because:

Your Overall Closing Experience

Working with a title company is not just about signing documents and buying title insurance. At Title Partners of South Florida, we always strive to provide you with a unique and memorable closing experience. We pride ourselves on being:

What happens after a contract is signed?

Buying or selling a home is an involved process that is heavily regulated by state laws and there are many issues that come up after the contract is signed, including the home inspection, the bank appraisal, financing and underwriting, title issues, the walk-thru inspection and related matters. It is important that buyers and sellers of real estate have experienced professionals to represent them during the entire transaction.

Can a title company provide legal advice?

Issues that arise in the title search or survey: If issues arise in the title history or on the survey, a title company cannot provide legal advice or guidance on these issues.

What is a closing agent?

A closing agent, sometimes referred to as a closing title agent, is responsible for many components necessary to make a successful closing. Like a title company, a closing agent is charged with title research and making sure there aren't any issues with a title that might present the legal transfer of the property, such as undisclosed liens, ...

What is the role of title company?

That being said, a title company's primary role regards the title and its integrity. Like a closing agent, the title company performs the research necessary to ensure a title can be transferred and that no issues are likely to arise in the future regarding the sale of the property and transfer of title. Some title companies expand their role in the ...

What is closing on a mortgage?

The closing is the last stop. It's where the whole buying/selling process is completed. This is where you sign the mortgage and all documents associated with the closing. This is also where the buyer gets the keys to the property, papers are officially filed, and money exchanges hands.

Where do you meet at closing?

You'll meet at the closing location, which is often at a title company if you use one, or at another location. People who will be present include the buyer, seller, a rep from the lending institution, a closing agent (buyer and seller may or may not be represented by the same parties), a realtor, a notary, and possibly a real estate attorney.

Do you need a real estate attorney at closing?

Some states require the presence of a real estate attorney at closing, some states don't. A real estate attorney isn't essential if you're in a state that doesn't require one, and typically an attorney is not required unless there are legal issues at play that may require the advice of an attorney.

What is a title company?

A title company ensure s that a legal title to property or a piece of real estate is legitimate. And a title insurance company or a title agent searches the public property records. They’ll verify a property’s chain of title. They confirm all liens on the property as to what’s valid and what’s not.

What does title insurance do?

They confirm all liens on the property as to what’s valid and what’s not. They also insure the past and present ownership interest in a piece of real estate. Title agents then issue a title insurance policy for that property, usually for the amount of the purchase price or for the amount of the mortgage.

Do you need title insurance if you have a mortgage?

So, obtaining title insurance is required if you’re going to go get a mortgage or if you’re going to go sell a piece of property to a buyer who wants to make sure that you are the actual legitimate owner of this property. Getting a real estate attorney is not mandatory, although having title insurance is not optional.