You know the phrase, it takes a village, right? Well, it takes a village to buy a house! You will need a realtor to find the right home, negotiate on your behalf, and write up an offer. You will also most-likely need a lender who can guide you through the financial aspect of buying a home, like recommending the right loan and approving the funds. An attorney will be needed to ensure the legal contract you are signing is fair. Lastly, your title agency that solidifies your right to homeownership. Wait, WHAT?!?!
That’s right. You need to add a title agency to your team and if you don’t, one will be chosen for you. You will lose control over the end of your home buying process and be stuck with the bill. But there is a way to take control BEFORE you place your offer.
Here are 3 steps to taking control:
- Ask for recommendations – Your attorney has closed on a lot of homes and probably has a favorite title agency, so ask for a recommendation. If you encounter any push back from your attorney on choosing your own title agency, reach out to your realtor. Choosing a title agency is your right.
- Compare title agencies – Look at estimates, Google reviews, and social media from your attorney’s recommendation as well as a few others. Compare prices, reviews and community engagement. Determine which one is right for you.
- Connect your attorney and title agency – A great way to secure your title agency choice is to make it a part of your contract! If you haven’t already gone through attorney review and your realtor is using the NJ Realtors Standard Contract form, you can add the name of your title agency to line 137 of the purchase agreement. Don’t feel obligated to choose your attorney’s recommendation. If you feel uncomfortable telling your attorney who you choose, contact your chosen agency and ask them to connect with your attorney on your behalf.
Having a real estate village to guide us, support us, and educate us is amazing – so take full advantage of picking a team that is right for you! In the end, it is your home, your bank account, and your experience at risk!