Special offer
Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker, The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around (Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd.)

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Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Jeff Pearl here in my hood( CA), buyer rarely chooses a title and escrow. Also, prelim is usually complementary, I use the same title rep for years. When we open escrow, and all docs are signed, escrow is ordering  again the title search.

Apr 03, 2015 05:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

We often order a prelim as soon as we take the listing. Finding any issues with the property early will help us to address and resolve them before it is too late.

Apr 03, 2015 05:33 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

As a listing agent I do order title work as soon as the property goes on the market. It would be devistating to wait until you received an offer and had no time to get things fixed if need be.  In my market the title company does not charge if the property does not sell.

Apr 03, 2015 01:47 PM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

In CA, I always order a Preliminary Title report and there is no cost to the Seller.  I would rather have this upfront in order to not delay closing in case there are issues.  Of course escow will have the title report updated if needed.  The more information we know about our lisitngs, the better for the Buyer, Seller, Lender and a timely close with mimimal or no glitches. 

Apr 03, 2015 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

No.

This is really, really smart. I have a $480,000 homeowner whose sale has been delayed by: Incorrect survey of neighbors lot, easily fixed, and now a 32 cent label missing from the garage door has halted the sale. Buyer is in hotel. Seller is in limbo. Local government has gone absolutely nuts and guess what. now it's a no work day until Monday afternoon.

I title search COULD have found these issues. However, the lender is often the driver, and they can be as nuts as the local government.

Although in my situation, I believe it would have been a great idea, it does not GUARANTEE a bump free ride no more so than a pre-inspection.

 

Apr 03, 2015 03:57 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

It's provided free here by Title Companies so we do order it...

Aug 23, 2017 05:44 AM
Rainer
23,743
Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
Eric

We order the title search right away. We always do. Sometimes the seller does not remember something and knowing ahead does help to resolve all issues sooner. 

Apr 04, 2015 11:46 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Welll this varies so much from state to state. You Would be best to check with title in your area,. 

Apr 03, 2015 04:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

It could be a help to head off a closing delay if there is a title problem that needs extra time to clear up. I think it is a good service to offer. We have title companies in our area that are offering to do it free with no guarantees they will get the real order.

Apr 03, 2015 10:22 AM
Rainer
166,935
Demarco & Marisa
Remax Kings Realty - Riverside, CA
"The Choice is Clear!"

I think it's crucial to get a prelist prelim so that you know what potential problems could pop up in the escrow. I admit that I had to learn the hard way and worked on a listing to get it ready for 2 months before we listed and found a buyer. Problem was a mechanic's lien on the prelim that had I ordered in advance, I would have known about and it would have saved us all some time and frustration.

Apr 03, 2015 09:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Brigita,

In commercial real estate we always asked for a Preliminary Title report to  assure ourselves that the property was truly held by the seller.  

Apr 03, 2015 04:38 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

But what if the buyer wants to use a differne ttitle company? They'll most likely want to do their own title search. A seller can do it if they suspect a lien or glitch in title, or if there was a divorce or death in family.

Apr 03, 2015 03:58 AM
Rainer
73,293
Devin Veith
Amp Realty - Louisville, KY

In my opinion it is a bad idea because that allows more time for liens/unknown things to attach to the property.  There are also buyers and lenders that will work only with certain title companies.

Apr 03, 2015 03:52 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

I just don't know what to say!

Mar 30, 2018 06:03 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Brigita -- as part of the pre-marketing of a listing, the preliminary title report, any inspections and all disclosures are completed by the seller so a package can be presented to buyers prior to submitting an offer.  

Everything in real estate is negotiable but I have yet to have an issue with a seller's choice of title company.  We also know that real estate is all about local traditions and customs.   

Apr 05, 2015 02:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I like the idea of the buyer getting their own title search . 

Apr 03, 2015 10:41 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I wouldn't suggest it unless I thought there was going to be a problem. 

Apr 03, 2015 03:33 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Brigita McKelvie well, sellers can do their own homework to make sure the title is fine. The lender/buyer should do their diligence.

The agent's claim may be valid if the buyer decides to use the same title company.

Just an FYI - MA is an attorny state.

Apr 03, 2015 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

In Texas resale properties, the seller usually pays for the title policy so I think it's a great idea, especially if they "think" there might be a little problem.

Apr 03, 2015 07:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

We have the choice of who pays title here in FL as well.  And, a pre-ordered title search may well be a waste of money.

Apr 03, 2015 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

The buyer pays the cost of the title search....it's part of the buyers closing costs....

Apr 03, 2015 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I will often times have title run a pre-lm title for me when I take the listing and I mention it in the agent comments.  Buyers right to choose title but still good information for me to have, before we list.  Last one came back with some IRS leans I was not aware of, and can plan accordingly when we get an offer.

Apr 03, 2015 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't know that it speeds anything up, but it does provide information to seller and agent if there are any title issues long before home is sold (which could be a good thing, as you don't want nasty surprised after contract.)

Apr 03, 2015 05:34 AM