Real Estate Closings in Lakeland Florida

Since the housing market is a hot topic these days in Lakeland - I guess I’ll add my two cents into that arena. If you are considering buying or selling a home in the Lakeland area - guess what you DON’T need a real estate attorney! Gosh I cannot stand those commercials that say you need an attorney to handle a closing! OMG I can feel I am gonna start getting a ton of calls from those attorneys in town! Sorry but honesty is the best policy and I always try to be up-front with people. You may not agree with me - that is your choice - but I speak from years of experience.

Don’t take me wrong, there are a few good real estate attorneys in Lakeland, but there are also a number of them who will overcharge and under perform! The basic residential real estate closing does not require or need the services of an attorney. Now, there are some instances, in which I would recommend a good attorney. You did see the word GOOD. Just making sure. Now if you find yourself in a bind and do need the name of a real estate attorney, just comment me and I will be happy to give you the name of the person I would use. He has no idea that I have sent him many clients over the years both personally and professionally. I do not personally know him but his work speaks for itself, and that is the way it should be!

During my years managing a local title company, I have encountered numerous errors that had to be fixed, and the majority of errors were made by an attorney! Yes, you paid more money for your closing and did not get the service you thought you were. It’s a real joke in the Lakeland area about how often a title company has to fix an error from a previous closing at some lawyers office! I hope that a number of my clients went back to their real estate attorney and complained, but probably not. Everyone gets busy trying to deal with moving, they let things like that go. Too bad maybe a few complaints would make them improve.

When a mistake is made in the recorded paperwork involved with a prior closing, the fees to re-record go to the seller. You may not have chosen where your original purchase took place, because most real estate contracts state that the seller chooses the closing agent. Therefore, you are the one having to pay again for documents that you assumed were correct, because an attorney prepared them. The person that chose the attorney has long since moved, so there is no way to get them to pay. These errors have to be recorded in a timely fashion to insure that your closing happens on time, so you are stuck with the fees.

Now don’t get me wrong there are a few title companies in Lakeland; I wouldn’t use either. I just got on a role with the attorneys. So now your saying, what in the heck am I supposed to do if I need a real estate closing? Pray would be my suggestion! No, but seriously it is a major concern and expense; you need to do some research before making a decision. First, do not just accept your Realtors advise to close with the closing company they suggest. That company may be associated with the real estate firm!! You got it kickbacks. They may not be concerned with the service you get. They are concerned about the almighty dollar going in their pocket! The questions you should ask a Realtor that suggests a title company are:

Are you or your real estate firm in anyway connected to that title company?
Does any person or the company receive any monetary gains by referring clients to that title company?

Research the real estate firm and the title company and see if you can find any connection. You would be surprised how many of the major real estate companies in the Lakeland area also have some connection to a title company. They are not usually located in the same building or area, because that would be a sure sign of a connection! So beware!

If you find yourself starting to have a panic attack, just comment me. I have one company in Lakeland that I would recommend. Yes one! This is not saying they are the only good one left in town, but I can only refer by experience. She seems to be on the same track as I was; the buyers and sellers are the people to be concerned about, not the realtor or the mortgage institutions!
I have personally used this office for my closings since I left the industry and have referred a number of previous clients and friends. Not one complaint yet!! That is what I go by.

Well, now I have gotten half or all of the Lakeland housing industry mad at me! Oh well, I kept my mouth shut for years, now I’m gonna let people know what really happens out there! If you feel, you would like to leave me a comment - good or bad - go right ahead, I can’t wait. Honesty is the best policy and people need to be informed.