In coordination with our business partner we offer the title guaranty and escrow services.

Title Guaranty
Purchasing a home, whether a primary residence or a vacation home, is usually one of the largest investments made during a lifetime. After closing on such a significant investment, you want to be certain that you are protected from potential loss.

One of the least understood but most important aspects of protecting a real estate investment is making sure that the title to the property is secure. When purchasing a property, instead of purchasing the actual building or land what you are really purchasing is the title to the property, the right to exclusively own, occupy and use the space. Theses rights that you purchase may be limited by rights and claims asserted by others, which may limit your use and enjoyment of the property and even bring financial loss. To be certain that your property is not at risk to these types of issues its important to acquire a title guaranty.

What is a title guaranty?
Before a purchase of a property, an attorney or other professional will search the public land records. This search provides a summary of the known legal status and issues affecting the title to your property. Often what this search does not provide is a guaranty as to the status of your title upon purchase. A title guaranty on the other hand provides a financially backed guaranty as to the status of your title. By definition a title guaranty is a private contract of indemnity between a purchaser or lender and a title guaranty company that protects the holder of the guaranty from issues that may affect the title to the property, issues like liens, encumbrances, fraud, hidden heirs, improperly executed documents, etc.

With a title guaranty, the substantial financial resources of a title guaranty company stand behind your title and offer real peace of mind. One of the most significant benefits of the title guaranty is that the escrow company will undertake to defend/clear any claims that arise after the purchase of the guaranty, including covering the cost of all related legal defense. In the event of a legitimate claim, the escrow company will pay or settle with the claimant, up to the insured value of the asset. The title guaranty is purchased for a one time fee, and once acquired it protects you as long as you have interest in the property.

Escrow Services
When purchasing a property one of the most important issues to address for both a buyer and seller is how and under what conditions the funds will be safely transferred. In an international transaction this issue is even more important and is often complicated, as both the purchaser and seller may not be familiar or comfortable having funds deposited in an unfamiliar jurisdiction or with an unfamiliar attorney or bank. Utilizing escrow services provides a cost effective solution.

What are escrow services?
Escrow services begin with an escrow agreement which is a written instrument which by its terms imports a legal obligation. The buyer, seller and the escrow agent all sign the escrow agreement, which states the conditions upon which the deposited items/funds may be distributed. The escrow agreement also stipulates, how, to whom and for which amounts the deposited funds/items will be distributed. The escrow agreement cannot be changed unless all parties agree in writing. The delivery in escrow is without reservation of power to recall, which means that an escrow agent must act according to the agreed-upon escrow conditions and disbursement instructions.

The escrow services provide security to both parties to the transaction: the seller retains a property interest to assure payment/performance by the buyer and the buyer obtains security that the property will be his/hers if the conditions in the escrow agreement are met. Because both buyer and seller agree to the escrow terms before the transaction, each party is clear of how the transaction will transpire, and when funds will be distributed and to whom.The escrow agreements can be applied for any type of real estate transaction, and can be modified to address issues like construction draws, real estate commissions, attorney/notary fees, etc.