Again, no. Title cannot act in the role of a licensed realtor because we are not. Contracts, TRR’s etc can be tricky, if unsure we’d highly recommend hiring a licensed realtor or real estate attorney to help you.

A good realtor can be very beneficial to a real estate transaction. Things a realtor can help with: market analysis to come up with a fair price, schedule appointments and showings, update property listings, give advice based on current market demands, search open listings to find properties, market the property, network with local businesses and potential clients, advise on staging, coordinate appraisals, work with title and the lender to keep things on track for closing, professional negotiation, legal document prep etc.

We usually see 30–45-day contracts come through for closing. This is pretty standard. Sometimes we’re able to rush something through and close faster and sometimes the contract states the property isn’t closing for several months. Title does their best to meet the closing date set out in the contract.

This is requested and done all the time – not a problem! Let your title team know so they have the proper paperwork prepared and checks cut the way they will be needed.

If Lincoln Title is closing the sellers purchase back-to-back (the hour after they sell they are scheduled to purchase), the seller can just endorse the back of the check over to Lincoln Title and we will cut them back any overage once deposited into the purchase file.

If the seller is closing their purchase at a different title company, we will need to know if that company requires our check to them be for the exact amount needed (if so, someone will need to provide us that amount BEFORE closing) or if they will accept a full proceeds check and cut the customer back any difference. All title company policies are a little different, so in order to ensure a smooth purchase elsewhere we need to know what they require. The check would then be made out to the next title company for benefit of the seller. Ex: 123 Title fbo John Doe. Take your closing paperwork copies we give you to the title company facilitating the purchase, most likely your new lender will require they send a copy of your seller closing disclosure from your sale to prove you did sell.

Yes! If the amount due on either the buyer or seller side is $500 or less, we can accept a personal check.

This is a misconception. A lot of buyers think because a cashier’s check is “guaranteed funds” that this option is better to use for earnest money when buying a house. Title can take a cashier’s check but we’d encourage you to check with the buyer’s lender on what they require. A lot of lenders prefer to see the earnest money funds come out of the buyer’s account via a cleared check cut directly from that account. If that is the case, then it will need to be a personal check.

There are a few options here. Title can accept a wire (we will share our wiring instructions with the buyer when requested), or Lincoln Title has a Bank Shot option through an app that you can screen shot a check and pay electronically. The copy of the check that is uploaded is sent to title to still provide and earnest money receipt to all parties. If interested in this option, let your title team know so they can share step by step instructions.