• CHOICE - We empower you to make the best choices possible. We suggest you shop and compare 3 different independent title agencies for price, service and convenience. We are confident that you'll like what you see and that you will come out on top!

• CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - We believe that real estate professionals have a fiduciary duty to their client and need to keep their clients best interest in mind. Self-dealing, unfair business practices, anti-competitive business practices, conspiracy to defraud, unjust enrichment and interference with a fiduciary relationship are just a few of the problems. Notwithstanding, we caution, what better way to lock-in business, destroy competition and raise prices without consequences than to incentivize fiduciaries to manipulate their clients about choosing a title company?

• SAVINGS - We don't participate in Affiliated Business Arrangements (AfBAs). This is an active choice we make to better meet your needs and serve you. We do not pay referral fees, inducements or incentives to real estate or lending professionals. Instead, we pass these savings on to our customers.

• AUTONOMY - With freedom of one's action, we are less pressured into doing business with any particular person or company, therefore, customer service, competitive pricing, quality of work and higher standards are always in mind for our customers.

• HONESTY/DUTY - We keep our relationships honest, allowing us to focus on what we do best: looking out for your needs, providing choices and protecting you, our customer. We feel it is a duty and privilege to serve you.
  

• ALLIANCE - Being a proud member of the Ohio Association of Independent Title Agents. We believe that truly independent title agencies make title insurance costs more competitive, help lower title insurance claims and protect the ultimate consumer from costly real estate related litigation, displacement from their home and horrible inconveniences.

• REPRESENTATION - We believe that you should be represented by legal counsel throughout your transaction.

• PLEDGE - We not only adhere to higher standards of professionalism and integrity but have made a pledge to the consuming public.

• TRANSPARENCY - Since when does it make sense to have the real estate professional examine their own title work? Homebuyers are often completely reliant on a real estate agent for expertise and advice on all aspects of a real estate transaction , including finding a title company, but the real estate agent and lender knowingly places their client in a position of complete vulnerability and then "takes financial advantage" of them by sending them to their in-house title company. A person should never violate Trust for secret profit.

• SAFEGUARDS - We are neutral third parties providing the safeguards, integrity and "checks and balance" to the transaction. It is our position that people involved in controlled business arrangements should have NO involvement with the title agent who is supposed to uncover and disclose to all parties all problems with the transaction.

• TRUTH - We don't believe in the "One Stop Shopping" OSS concept. In-house title agencies are just smoke and mirrors. Even more startling is that consumers are actually told by the real estate associations like RESPRO.ORG that they want OSS and bundled services. If OSS were properly disclosed to consumers we believe that the truth would far outweigh any benefit. OSS removes all the safeguards, eliminates competition, representation and violates the consumers best interest.
  

What to look for in a title agency?

• Length of business; serving central Ohio for over 30 years with professional, ethical and friendly service

• Look for a title company that looks for ways to save you money! Compare prices - No Closing Fees, No Junk fees, No Padding; we save customers between $400-$800 dollars on most of our closings!

• Independent Agent - Are they affiliated with their lender, real estate agent or builder? Beware of affiliated business arrangements. They drive cost up and present many "conflicts of interest". Agent must be neutral third party.

• Make sure they put estimate of title closing costs in writing. Have them prepare you a preliminary HUD settlement statement. Also, get a good faith estimate in writing from your lender.

• Make sure they offer you Closing Protection Coverage; this protects you against possible agent theft, misappropriation, fraud and any other failure of Licensed Agent; get the actual letter sent ahead of time before you close. This is an Ohio law. It should be presented to you on initial contact.

• Make sure they offer you a survey if purchasing a property before you close. You should review with counsel.

• Make sure they offer you the Title Commitment before you close. You should review with counsel.

• Check with the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) to verify they have a valid Title Insurance Agents license and in good standing with their underwriter.

• Check with their underwriter and make sure they are a valid agent. Make sure underwriter is a highly rated and reputable company.

• Check that they have E&O insurance coverage and make sure you get proof of the current policy.

• Ask about their cutting edge technology; CD-imaging of signed closing papers, website services such as online ordering and consumer information.