What We Do
Our Services
Whether you are buying a home or refinancing your existing mortgage, our title company can help with all of your escrow and closing needs. We have been serving the area for over 30 years. Call us today at (850) 865-6000 for more information!
Title Search and Examination
Cotton Land Title researches the title to the property through a title search, which provides a history of the property and its prior and current ownership.
It is the job of Cotton Land Title to examine the title to the property and to clear any liens, claims or other so-called title clouds on the property so that the new buyer receives clear and marketable title to the property they are buying.
Escrow Services
Cotton Land Title holds earnest money deposits (EMD) and other funds such as funds for repairs to be completed after closing in a non-interest bearing account.
In the event the funds are being held for a reason other than earnest money, Cotton Land Title will provide an agreement between the parties stating the purpose of the funds and plans/conditions for the disbursement of the funds.
Title Insurance
Cotton Land Title will prepare the title insurance commitment from the title search report and, after the closing, issue both the owner’s and lender’s policies of title insurance.
There are two types of title insurance: Lender’s which is required by the mortgage company, and protects the lender’s investment in the property; and Owner’s, which protects the new owner’s ownership interest in the property.
It is strongly recommended that all buyers receive an owner’s title insurance policy which protects them against any unforeseen claims, hidden risks, or fraud against the property.
Loan Documentation
Cotton Land Title coordinates with the mortgage lender to receive all of the loan documents in time for closing.
Once the loan documents are sent by the mortgage lender to Cotton Land Title, Cotton Land Title reviews all of the mortgage lender’s forms to comply with the mortgage lender’s closing instructions. With the lender’s closing instructions, Cotton Land Title prepares the appropriate Settlement Statement and sends same to the mortgage lender for its approval prior to closing.
The Settlement Statement details all of the costs of the buyer and the seller in connection with the purchase and sale of the property. Cotton Land Title also prepares the Warranty Deed, Bill of Sale, Closing Affidavits and other documents required in connection with the closing.
Closing
At the closing, Cotton Land Title explains all of the documents to the parties involved in the transaction prior to signing. Settlement typically takes about one hour to complete.
After the closing, Cotton Land Title disburses all of the monies collected at settlement in accordance with the Settlement Statement and pays off any existing mortgages on the property.
Cotton Land Title also delivers the signed Warranty Deed and any Mortgages to the County Recorder’s Office for recording in the public records promptly following closing.