Polk County Abstract

"We did our closing here last Friday. Very friendly staff, made the sale go quickly and easily."

"Most everything went ok with the closing as the buyer. Only issue was Tara called the City Utilities over 2 weeks before the closing and changed the Water, Sewer, Garbage, billing on the house from the sellers name into our name. At the closing, two weeks later, she said she didn't know who called in and changed it previously. The city verified it was Tara who made the change. Fortunately it wasn't a big bill we had to eat since they do have you sign a paper not to hold them responsible for their mistakes. Maybe she forgot she had called the week previously?"

"Everyone I have dealt with at this company has been Very Professional! Susan is always curtious and Professional! Excellent Email response times, no hassels and no mistakes. I would highly recommend them to anyone."

"Great title company ! Jean is always on top of her work ! When I hand them a file to close I know the job will be done right . Terrific Communication !"

"They were fine, really. As it comes to token professionalism, they were fine. My interactions with Jen were without issue. When Tara sent the closing statement, she indicated I should call if I had questions. I did call to ask some questions. I understood the answers to each of my questions, though I noted a slight tension after I inquired about the seller's title insurance. The closing statement they provided indicated this was optional. I pointed out that I had owned the home for only 3 years, I had pristine credit, and they had charged me $225 for a title search to verify there were no liens. I said I did not wish to pay $704 for unnecessary title insurance. Tara informed me it isn't optional. I asked why they indicated it was. Tara blamed the form. Sigh. When I arrived at the closing 5 minutes early, I was offered a bottle of water. That's nice. Then I waited another 15 minutes for the boss to come to the closing. Ms. Lee asked if I had had an opportunity to review the closing statement. I guess this would have been a professional question if I hadn't already spoken to one of her employees about it. Why wouldn"t she already know this? After I confirmed what her assistant should have told her, Ms. Lee asked if I had any questions. I cringed, paused, then couldn't help myself. I pointed out that the form states that title insurance is optional yet her assistant stated it wasn't. Ms. Lee explained that the form is incorrect and the title insurance is not optional. Really, the form again? Those pesky forms, telling such big lies, all on their own. When I pointed out that she had charged me for a search to make sure the title was clear so it seemed unreasonable for my to ensure their work. I pointed out that she had malpractice insurance. She retorted, "I pay for that." I responded, then why should I have to pay to insure the title? I'd paid to ensure a clear title and they had insurance to protect their mistakes. Ms Lee told me that things could come up. She compared it to auto insurance. I said this title insurance was like an auto insurer charging me to insure a trip I'd already completed safely. Then I asked why I had to pay so much to insure the title when the previous owner had to pay the same for only 3 years and mine would only cover a few months (as the buyer planned to flip the home). Ms. Lee informed me the insurance was for 60 years. Really? What a scam. Can you imagine being required to buy 60 years worth of auto insurance whenever you purchase a car? And then, if you sell the car 3 years later, the next guy also has to pay for 60 years of insurance? And you don't get any refund? What a load of nonsense. Then Ms. Lee informed me we could have opted out of title insurance on page 7 of the purchase agreement. So let me summarize: - they state in writing the title insurance is optional - they state verbally that it is required - they are perfectly comfortable charging for a title search that isn't intended to ensure a clear title - they explain that someone could lien against me on a property I no longer own - they explain I am at fault for not opting out of the required title insurance The nice thing is that the entire time, Ms. Lee continued to patiently explain to me as if I were a mental deficient seeking to sign a voter registration in yellow crayon. Like I said, they were fine."