Kendall Title

Title Insurance Jacksonville Florida

12058 San Jose Boulevard Suite 204

Jacksonville, Florida 32223

Phone: (904) 230-1063

Fax: (904) 239-3092

9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Monday through Friday

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What is Remote Online Notarization?

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woman smiling holding paper and pen in front of laptop

Remote online notarization refers to notarizing documents electronically, wherein the signer employs an electronic signature and interacts with the notary through online audio-video technology. In simple terms, it enables individuals to connect with a notary from anywhere and at any time, eliminating the need for physical meetings.

In response to the need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous states implemented emergency orders to authorize remote online notarization temporarily. As of January 22, 2021, most U.S. states have passed legislation permitting certified notaries within the state to utilize RON technology permanently, provided that they adhere to adequate safety and cybersecurity protocols.

Digital Notarization

With the advent of electronic signature technology, many individuals have become frustrated with the traditional, paper-based, and in-person notarization process. However, the emergence of remote online notarization (RON) technology is revolutionizing the process. In addition to enhancing business efficiency and improving the customer experience, using a remote online notary to notarize documents helps reduce the risks of fraud and misconduct throughout the entire notarization procedure.

The adoption of RON legislation has gained significant momentum as remote work grew during the pandemic and has continued to do so. Various software solutions are available for individuals to leverage when opting for digital notarization. As long as the RON process adheres to the laws of the state where the notary public is located and commissioned, the remotely and digitally notarized document holds the same legal validity as a traditionally notarized document. However, it is advisable to consult your state and local authorities to ensure this applies to the specific type of document and transaction you intend to complete using RON.

Benefits of RON

RON enables signers to remotely sign and notarize agreements without physically gathering with the notary public. This technology also increases accessibility to notarization for individuals who may have limitations in terms of time or ability to travel to meet a notary public. Additionally, RON allows multiple notary groups to collaborate asynchronously, providing enhanced flexibility. The use of reusable templates further streamlines the notarization process. Furthermore, RON offers an inherent advantage in minimizing fraud. Notarization serves the purpose of verifying the identities of both the signer and the notary public. RON goes beyond in-person notarization by incorporating established identity-proofing technologies, thereby enhancing authentication measures.

Professionals Know the Legislation and Have the Software

At Kendall Title, we stay updated on the latest laws and standards associated with remote online notarization (RON). Our commitment to providing excellent customer service remains our top priority. We strive to ensure a comforting and seamless home buying and financing process, necessitating our thorough understanding of RON regulations. We are proud to incorporate RON into our everyday business operations.

Whether you are involved in buying or selling a property, you can choose a title company to handle your transaction. It is crucial to select a company that offers the best overall experience, from when you sign your contract to when you complete the closing documents and every step in between. To discover how Kendall Title can assist you, please call us at (904) 230-1063 today!

How Does For Sale By Owner Work?

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for sale by owner sign in yard of house

Selling a property is a significant decision that involves careful planning and consideration. Traditionally, homeowners would enlist the services of a real estate agent to handle the sale process. However, homeowners can list their property “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO). At Kendall Title, we understand real estate transactions, including FSBO. Here’s what you need to know about for sale by owner and how it works.

What is For Sale By Owner?

Commonly called FSBO, For Sale By Owner is a method of selling a home where the homeowners decide to do the work themselves without the help of a real estate agent. By listing a property FSBO, sellers save on real estate agent commissions and have greater control over the sale process. However, it’s important to recognize that there are drawbacks to FSBO, too, like the time and effort required by the homeowners and needing a good understanding of the real estate market.  

How to Prepare Your Home For Sale

When you want to list your home for sale by owner you should determine a competitive listing price by conducting a thorough market analysis and making sure the property is well-maintained and presentable. Declutter and clean all rooms of the home and spend some time in the yard to give your home as much curb appeal as possible. Ensure you have all necessary documents, including the property title, land survey, and applicable permits. 

Set Your Listing Price

Setting the right price is crucial for attracting potential buyers. Homeowners opting for FSBO should conduct extensive research on comparable properties in their area to determine a fair and competitive price. It’s also beneficial to seek professional assistance, such as an appraiser, to obtain an accurate valuation.

Market Your Home Listing

When you list a home for sale by owner, you miss out on the primary benefit of working with a real estate agent: marketing and advertising. Instead, you’ll need to utilize various channels to help prospective buyers find your sale listing. You can use online real estate platforms, social media, yard signs, and word-of-mouth. Successful home sales typically involve a compelling listing description accompanied by high-quality photographs.

Show the Property

Most home buyers want to view the property in person before purchasing. Host open houses and schedule one-on-one viewings of the home to highlight the unique features and answer buyer questions. 

Negotiating Sale and Closing the Deal

Negotiating the terms of the sale is a critical stage of the FSBO process. Be prepared to handle offers that are lower than your asking price, make counteroffers, and work through any contingencies.  It’s advisable to consult with a real estate attorney or title company, such as Kendall Title, to ensure all legal aspects are properly addressed. Once an agreement is reached, the closing process begins, involving the transfer of funds, signing legal documents, and transferring the property title.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) provides homeowners with an alternative approach to selling their property independently without involving a real estate agent. While FSBO can be rewarding regarding cost savings and increased control, it requires careful planning, effective marketing, and skillful negotiation. Homeowners can navigate the process by understanding the intricacies of FSBO and seeking professional assistance, such as the services provided by Kendall Title. Remember, making an informed decision is crucial when it comes to selling your property, and at Kendall Title, we are committed to assisting homeowners throughout their real estate journeys.

When Should I Contact a Title Agent?

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man and woman couple standing and smiling holding house keys

Title agents are found at title companies around the country. And although you know that they serve a purpose within a real estate transaction, you may not know exactly what a title agent does or why you need one. Perhaps you are not even sure when you should contact a title agent. 

Because they are a vital part of a successful real estate transfer, let’s shine a spotlight on everything you need to know about a title agent. 

Protecting Your New Property 

Title agents at the chosen title company begin protecting your interest in your property before, during, and after your real estate purchase. You may be so excited about the new investment or sale, but without ensuring it is a legal transfer with a clear title, you may find yourself in hot water down the road. 

Title agents review the property’s title closely to ensure that the seller has the authority to sell the property and that there are no issues with the title, such as outstanding taxes, liens, judgments, lawsuits, unknown heirs, easements, and more. And, should anything turn up in the search, the title agent will work to clear the title so that you can confidently move forward with your transaction. 

This is all done so that a title insurance policy can be purchased to protect the buyer’s rights to the property for as long as they have an interest – and protect the seller from dealing with any clouded title issues later. 

The Role of a Title Agent

Title agents play a very large role in your home buying or selling process. They are there throughout the entire process – from the signing of the initial contract all the way through your closing. They even handle the post-closing documents, too. 

Below are a few roles that title agents take on: 

  • Collecting and securely placing a good faith deposit in escrow
  • Conducting a diligent title search 
  • Curing any uncovered title issues
  • Offering and issuing title insurance 
  • Preparing and organizing all closing documents
  • Facilitating the closing, ensuring all documents are signed and notarized properly
  • Sending signed documents to the county recorder’s office for recordation

Every step of the real estate process involves detailed and skilled attention. And that’s what you can expect from a title agent. 

When Should I Contact a Title Agent? 

It is good to have a title agent on your side as early as possible. While anyone can choose their title company, it is customary in most Florida counties for the seller to make this selection. So having this in place when you list your home, for instance, can make things move with ease when you get a great offer. 

Remember, real estate transactions can be complex and tricky so having a title agent getting you through the hurdles can prove to be very beneficial. 

Title Experts at Kendall Title

If you want to ensure that your real estate transaction goes as smoothly as possible, then you need title experts on your side to walk you through your transaction. And you will find them at Kendall Title. 

Contact us today at (904) 230-1063 to learn more about what we have to offer. 

What Happens If I Don’t Have Title Insurance?

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men with pens and paper holding a book

When it comes to title insurance, most property owners don’t know just how much they need it – until they do. And in some instances, making this investment can mean the difference between keeping your property and losing it. 

So, what happens if you don’t have title insurance? 

What Happens When You Don’t Have Title Insurance? 

Imagine buying a home, raising your family, and creating many memories over the years. Then, out of the blue, someone shows up claiming to have rights to your home. It may not sound believable, but it is a very real possibility.

If you find yourself in this situation, what do you do? 

Well, if you have title insurance, filing a claim against your policy is one of the first things you will do. This will enable your insurance company to take action on your behalf, fighting for your rights to your property’s title. 

These battles can get long, sometimes ending up in court with hefty attorney’s fees. Your title insurance company will protect you. And, in the event that they cannot, you will be paid for the amount of your policy. 

Now, what happens if you don’t have title insurance? 

You would be left trying to protect your own rights. It could be a costly fight – and you may still lose your property. 

What Does Title Insurance Cover? 

Generally, title insurance will protect against any title defects that are not found during the title search. Some of the most common issues that a typical title insurance policy will cover are: 

  • Erroneously recorded documents
  • Outstanding mortgages
  • Missing heirs
  • Fraud or forgery
  • Undiscovered liens or judgments
  • Outstanding tax liens
  • Easements

There are two types of title insurance – an owner’s policy that protects the owner and a lender’s policy that protects the lender. For most, the latter is a purchase most often a condition of the loan.

Do I Need Title Insurance in Florida? 

Florida law requires that you need a title insurance policy when purchasing any property within the state. However, the law gives you the choice of whether you want to purchase an owner’s title policy, a lender’s title policy, or both. 

It is important to remember that if you only invest in a lender’s title insurance policy and something goes awry, the only one fully protected is the lender. Yes, they may fight the claim for you, but if they lose, the lender will walk away with the remainder of the mortgage – and you will be left with nothing. 

Most Florida homeowners would find it to their advantage to buy an owner’s title insurance policy for the value of the property, even if that means purchasing both. That way, should a title defect arise, you will be protected. 

Protect Your New Home with Title Insurance 

If you are purchasing a new home, then it is important to understand the value of title insurance – and why you need it in Florida. 

At Kendall Title, we understand that this may be your first time going through the home-buying process. We will guide you through a smooth closing and answer any questions you may have along the way. 

To learn more about title insurance or to get started on your title work, contact us today at (904) 230-1063.

How Many Types of Title Insurance Are There?

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two people sitting and looking at paperwork

Buying a home is a huge investment. It may even be the biggest investment you have made thus far. And, as with anything you value, you want to protect it. 

How do you do this? With title insurance. 

Though, not all title insurance policies are created equal. There are two different types available to ensure that the rights to the title are protected for anyone who has an interest in it. 

Let’s take a closer look. 

Understanding Title Insurance

Title insurance protects your property rights from title issues that happened before you took ownership. 

Your title team will do a title search before offering you a title insurance policy. This deep dive into the property’s history will allow them to see whether or not any issues need to be addressed before the title can be cleared to close. 

Unfortunately, title issues can get missed during this search, for one reason or another. And when that happens, they don’t just disappear. They can arise at any time you own the property. For instance, if a lien against the previous owner is attached to the property and doesn’t get released before the property changes hands it now becomes the new owner’s problem. This can put property rights in jeopardy. 

As its name suggests, title insurance is a layer of protection that deals with these issues as they arise. It reduces your money, time, and headaches spent trying to fight any claims that come up. 

Types of Title Insurance

There are two main types of title insurance – an owner’s policy and a lender’s policy. Each one of these title insurance policies is put in place to reduce risk and protect rights. The difference is in who they protect. 

Owner’s Title Insurance

An owner’s title insurance policy protects the rights of the owner. It is purchased at the closing and it will remain in place for as long as the owner has an interest in the property. This includes the owner’s heirs, too. 

Different types of policies fall under the owner’s title insurance, including an enhanced title insurance policy and a standard policy. It is always a good idea to talk to a title expert at your title company to discuss your options and decide which is the best coverage for your new property. 

Lenders Title Insurance

Lender’s title insurance is another type of title insurance that protects the lender. 

When agreeing to give you a loan to buy your property, they are taking a risk. It does not matter how good the underwriting process went, anytime a bank hands over a large sum of money, there is risk involved. 

Lienholders want to remain in the first lien position so that they will have a secured claim should something go awry. As a result, they will usually require you to purchase a lender’s title insurance policy so that they are protected. 

It is important to know that an owner’s title insurance policy will not protect the lender just as a lender’s title insurance policy will not protect the owner. To ensure that everyone is protected, you will need to have both types of title insurance. 

Title Insurance at Kendall Title

At Kendall Title, we live title insurance every single day – but we understand that you do not. So, as we work together to get you from the contract through the closing without any added stress, we will discuss with you everything you need to know about title insurance so that you can feel confident in your new home for years to come. 

To learn more – or to get started – contact us today at (904) 230-1063.

Who Pays for Title Insurance?

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Whether you are buying a new home for your family or you are investing in a piece of real estate, you are going to find that the entire process can be complex, including a lot of paperwork and terms you may have never heard of.

You will likely be told that a title insurance policy will have to be purchased at this time, too. But what is it? And who is responsible for it?

 

What is Title Insurance? 

Just as its name suggests, title insurance provides protection for the title to your property. In other words, it protects your right to the title. Let’s take a look at why this is so important.

Each time a property is transferred to a new party, a record of this is recorded with the county recorder’s office. Before the property changes hands, a deep dive into these records is performed by the title company. This is known as the title search.

The title examiner will review the transfers, confirming that the seller truly has the authority to sell the property, as well as look for any other records that may be attached to it, such as liens, judgments, outstanding taxes, levies, and so forth. Anything that shows up on the title search can either be handled prior to the closing or the file may not be cleared to close.

Despite their best efforts, things can still get missed in the title search. This could be due to an oversight by the title examiner or it could be due to an erroneous recording or forged/fraudulent document. Any title issues that may arise after you take ownership could impact your rights to the property.

A title insurance policy is your first line of defense.

 

Who Pays for Title Insurance in Florida? 

All of the costs of buying a home can really add up over time. Knowing whether or not you are going to have to be responsible for paying for title insurance in Florida can help you to plan ahead.

So, who pays for title insurance?

It is customary for the seller to pay for title insurance in most areas throughout the state of Florida – with the exception of a few counties, including Broward County, Sarasota County, Miami-Dade County, and Collier County.

Duval County, together with their neighbors, Clay County, St. Johns and Nassau County, primarily leave title insurance up to the seller to cover the fee as it is included in the closing costs.

Keep in mind that this is a customary practice and that the payment of title insurance can be negotiated between the parties.

 

Title Insurance at Kendall Title

Throughout the U.S., most states allow buyers to decide whether or not they want a title insurance policy for their new property. In Florida, however, there is no option – title insurance is mandatory when purchasing a piece of real estate.

If you are interested in learning more about title insurance, then the title experts at Kendall Title can help. We have extensive experience in all types of real estate transactions, from contracts to closings. Title insurance is our specialty.

 

To learn more, contact us today at (904) 230-1063.