If you bought your own property, you probably already had the opportunity to work with a title company. But, now that you’re selling, you may be wondering how the title company will work with you now. 

Ultimately, the title company works to protect everyone’s interests during a property transaction. Most of their services limit risk in some way or another, and with such a big transaction there is sure to be risk involved. That need to protect against the risk of fraud or legal mismanagement is why the services of a title company are usually required by law in a home sale. 

The truth is, the nature of the title company’s work won’t look too different whether you’re buying or selling, but there are still things you should know as a seller so that you can best understand the process. Read on to find out what you can expect from your title company as a seller.

As the seller, your title company will be responsible for ensuring all your documentation is in good order – properly written, properly administered, and legitimate. If you’ve bought a home before, you won’t be surprised that there’s plenty of paperwork to review, so this is by no means a trivial part of the process. 

Validating paperwork is the first step to mitigating risk in a home sale. If the documents for your sale are improperly executed in any way, you’re opening the door for legal complications down the line – or the possibility that the sale itself will fall through because of it. 

Though a critical step, it’s not the only measure your title company will take to ensure you don’t run into any legal complications.

When any property transaction occurs (including the one you’re undertaking now), records of the sale are created and made accessible to the public by local authorities. Title Companies use these records to do a thorough investigation of the property’s history of ownership.

Experts at the title company are responsible for undertaking these title searches, which are designed to bring to light any defects on the property’s title. 

Some possible title defects could include: 

• Undisclosed liens 
• Outstanding taxes 
• Contested ownership 

These and other defects could lead to a complication in your real estate transaction. It’s best to be aware of them going in so they can be handled as urgently as possible, rather than allowing them to create problems down the line.

The title company will hold relevant funds in an escrow account until it’s time to close the transaction and disburse funds. Beyond that, they’ll also make sure all parties are on the same page and ensure everyone is moving through the process at the pace and with the understanding they should have. Essentially, the title company will guide both the seller and the buyer through the real estate transaction to make sure everything goes smoothly.

When a property transaction occurs, title insurance will need to be purchased as well. There are two kinds of title insurance. The first is homeowner’s title insurance, which protects the homeowner in the event of an unforeseen issue with their title after the property was purchased. Likewise, lender’s title insurance protects the lender’s stake in the property until the borrower has completed their loan repayment. Though, as the seller, you will have less of a stake in the selection of these policies than the buyer.

f you’re ready to sell your own property, you’ll need a quality title company backing you. Choose Boundary Title & Escrow to perform all your title services and enjoy the professionalism and expertise that Boundary Title & Escrow has to offer. 

This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only. Please consult your title professional for specific information regarding your situation.