Over the past 20+ years, these are some of the questions we’ve been asked.
Kelsey Title thought it would be helpful to post the most frequently asked questions.
Didn’t find an answer to your question? Contact us.
If a buyer is purchasing real estate and anticipates borrowing to do so, a standard lender’s requirement is a title insurance policy that ensures that the lender’s mortgage will have first priority over other possible claimants.
A title insurance policy ensures that the buyer owns the property which is critical before the buyer makes the investment.
A signing agent is a public notary who is expert in loan closing documents. A lender, title company, or escrow service may hire a signing agent to handle getting documents delivered, signed, or processed efficiently and on time.
Yes, although we are sometimes able to accommodate walk-in clients it is preferable to book an appointment in advance in order to ensure a Notary will be available to see you. This also allows us to ensure we have all the necessary documents in advance and that the appointment is as brief as possible for you.
When you are closing on a home loan, several of the documents must be notarized at closing. Not only is Missi Kelsey a Title Agent, but she is also a Notary Public and as such, is required to check your identification to prevent fraud.
This requirement is laid down by our practice rules and current legislation.
The cost of title insurance varies and is based on the Purchase Price of the home you are closing on. We’re happy to provide you with a Free Quote.
Closings are held in our office in Fruitland Park, FL.
In some instances, we will come to you at a place that is convenient for both of us. This can be your home or office, a restaurant, or even nursing homes, hospitals, or federal, state or county correctional facility.
In addition to loan closing documents, Kelsey Title Agency offers a full range of Notarial Services. We notarize documents according to the State of Florida Statutes which define the types of documents a Notary can attest to.
We are closed on Weekends. In the event you have an emergency and one of our Notaries are available, we may be able to accommodate you.
No. One of the standard exceptions contained in a title policy is that it does not insure that the boundaries conform to an exact legal description. This is typically the subject of a survey. Often it is prudent for a buyer to purchase a survey, or review the survey obtained by a seller. Title insurance warrants that ownership of the property will be in the name of the buyer. Additional endorsements may be required.
No. The title search will locate easements that have been recorded in the county record, are associated directly with the property. However, sometimes there are other parties making use of a property, but there is no easement of record. For example, there could be a manhole cover on the property from a utility company, but for some reason, no easement was ever obtained from the owner. Because this use is unrecorded, it will not show up in a title commitment or policy. Extended title insurance coverage is available to deal with unrecorded easements, at an additional charge.
Yes. The title policy affirmatively ensures against loss or damage sustained or incurred by reason of lack of a right of access to and from the land. While the title policy ensures that there is legal access, it does not ensure the exact location of the legal access, nor does it ensure physical access. If access is a critical concern, you should discuss this with the title representative.
No. The zoning for the property is a record typically maintained at the municipal or county level and is not typically reflected in the title records. Therefore, to ensure the zoning of the property, contact must be made with the appropriate municipality or county.
When you secure a mortgage to purchase a home or other piece of real estate, your lender will require that you buy title insurance to protect the loan. This title insurance premium will be paid one time during the escrow settlement period of the real estate transaction. This valuable coverage will last until the loan is settled, whether it is paid, refinanced, or foreclosed on. When the title insurance company agrees to insure the loan, they often send a closing protection letter, or CPL, to the lender to ensure a clear title when the loan closes.
A closing protection letter is essentially an agreement from a title insurance company to a lender that indemnifies the lender against any issues arising from a closing agent’s errors, fraud, or negligence. For instance, if a closing agent misappropriates loan funds, the title insurance company agrees to make any necessary financial remediation.
Absolutely!
Our office is located at:
1213 W Miller St
Suite 4
Fruitland Park, FL 37431
Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides on the property on January 1 and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible for a homestead exemption. A homestead exemption allows up to $50,000 to be deducted from the assessed value of a primary residence when calculating real estate property tax.
There are several factors that need to be considered before we can quote our fees. Please call us and we’ll be happy to discuss our fees.
A typical title commitment can be issued in about a week. This provides sufficient time for a searcher to check the county records, and for the title company to do an investigation as to the property and accumulate prior title policies, contracts, surveys, and other relevant documents. If a prior title policy is available, this can help speed the process. If there are issues relating to the title, it can take longer. If time permits, a title commitment can be expedited.
We can handle any real estate transactions within the State of Florida. More specifically, we handle transactions located in Lake, Sumter, and Marion Counties.
To put it simply a Notary Public’s main purpose is to deter fraud. As an impartial witness, the Notary ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are and not impostors. The Notary also makes sure that signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.
The time it takes to close on a real estate transaction varies according to the circumstances and the availability of the information needed so that a title commitment can be issued, and a closing statement can be prepared.
A residential transaction might typically take 30 days, but it can take less time if the information is available and all the participating parties have provided the documentation needed to close the transaction.
A commercial transaction may take longer, but similarly, if all of the information is available, the transaction can close more quickly.
We provide mail-away services to all of our clients as needed. Please notify us at least two weeks prior to your closing so that we can coordinate the necessary paperwork.
Many of our search requests come from attorneys who are working on real estate that is associated with an estate. Depending on whether the estate is being probated or not, and depending on the state of the title, additional considerations come into play to ensure that a personal representative has the ability to convey the real estate.
Yes. Whether the entity is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, a seller needs to confirm that the entity is in good standing with the appropriate authority and that the parties who will sign the papers to sell the property have the legal authority to do so.
Funds must be wired to Kelsey Title Agency. Contact our office for wiring instructions.
Wire fees will be collected at closing for all incoming and outgoing wires. The sending and receiving banks may also charge a fee on their end. Kelsey Title Agency is not responsible for fees charged by the sending or receiving banks.
WARNING! WIRE FRAUD ADVISORY
WIRE FRAUD AND EMAIL HACKING/PHISHING ATTACKS ARE ON THE INCREASE! IF YOU HAVE AN ESCRO OR CLOSING TRANSACTION WITH KELSEY TITLE AGENCY, AND YOU RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONTAINING WIRE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS, DO NOT RESPOND TO THE EMAIL!
INSTEAD, call your escrow officer/closer immediately, using previously known contact information and NOT information provided in the email, to verify the information prior to sending funds.