FAQ's & Resources
The Closing Process
- Consult With a Realtor
- After Consultation
- The Closing
- Post Closing
Realtors are essential partners when buying or selling a home. Realtors are professionals whose expertise provides you with useful information that is not easily accessible to the public. Their experience with the home buying process, market conditions, and negotiations can make the difference in locating and securing a contract on the perfect home.
Once you have an executed purchase agreement, have your lender or Realtor contact Integrity Title immediately to begin the title process on your future home. Our abstractor will begin researching the title history in the courthouse to verify ownership and real estate taxes, obtain mortgage payouts, uncover any title deficiencies or encumbrances such as liens, judgments, which may be disclosed on the title report. Every title search is examined by one of our experienced attorneys to insure the proper procedures are followed. Our skilled and experience staff will utilize our established procedures to work with buyers, sellers, realtors, and lenders, to complete the closing process. You will be advised of the funds necessary to close. The law mandates that these funds be certified; in the form of a cashier’s check or bank wire.
After we confirm a clear title and receive approval to close from your lender, we will schedule a convenient time for all parties to meet at one of our offices to sign the appropriate documents. Closings at Integrity Title are conducted before one of our experienced attorneys or notaries who can answer questions, like “when is my first payment due,” “how do I apply for my homestead exemption,” “can my loan payments be automatically drafted from my bank account,” and walk you through the required documents. We understand that buying or selling a home is a very important transaction. We work to provide a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
After the closing, we immediately record the documents with parish clerk’s office and follow up with recorded information to purchasers and lenders.
Settlement Services
- Title Insurance
- Escrow Settlement Services
- Signing Services
Title insurance is typically a combination of two policies: an Owner’s Policy and a Lender’s Policy. Title Insurance is insurance against loss or damage resulting from title defects that can include undisclosed heirs, misfiled leins, filing errors, etc. The insurance policy will pay for any legal defense costs and reimburse you for any mortgage payments you are unable to make due to losing the house to someone else’s claim on it.
To convey a property from a seller to a buyer, or encumber a property with a new mortgage, Integrity Title provides escrow and settlement services as a neutral third party to the transaction. Integrity Title acts upon the instructions of the principals and may be requested to coordinate key tasks such as:
- Deposit and disburse funds
- Process and coordinate the flow of documents and funds
- Keep all parties informed of progress to the escrow
- Respond to the lender’s requirements
- Coordinate the signing of loan/closing documents
- Prorate and adjust insurance, taxes, rents, etc.
- Record the deed and loan documents
- Prepares a final statement outlining funds received and to be disbursed in the transaction
Our Signing Services allow you to schedule and complete notary signings faster, easier and better than before. With an extensive network of professionals, we can offer the convenience of signing in an Integrity Title office or we can arrange for a mobile notary just about anywhere, anytime.
Notary Services
We here at Integrity Title specialize in a multitude of notary services including, but not limited to;
•Auto Title Transfers for Vehicles
•Affidavits for Court
•Power of Attorney
•Legal Documents for Bill of Sale
•Real Estate Closing
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse below for clear and concise explanations on topics such as title searches, property transfers, boundary disputes, and more.
What is a Closing?
Closing is another term for “settlement.” It refers to the part of the real estate transaction where the title moves from the seller to the buyer’s hands.
Will My Real Estate Agent Know Anything About the Title to the Home?
Many real estate agents will have a thorough understanding of what a title is. The nuances of title insurance, and recommend a trusted title company. However, no one will know precisely what information is related to the title until a title search is completed.
Can a Title Company Conduct Escrow?
A title company can generally acts as an escrow agent. They can explain all the costs involved for both parties, secure the lender, and prepare a closing statement.
Will I Have to Pay for Title Insurance Every Month?
No. Title insurance, unlike other insurance policies, is not billed as a monthly premium. It’s a one-time cost you pay at the time you purchase your home. The policy lasts for the time you and your heirs own the property.