Nothing brings greater peace of mind than knowing you’ve chosen a good title company you can trust–– like a good friend who listens and truly cares.
At Seaview Title, we pride ourselves on building lasting friendships with the customers we serve. Our pledge to you is courteous, unparalleled service, and outstanding communication with you, your Realtor, and your Lender, and a friendly, “can-do” attitude, from someone who cares.
At Seaview Title … it’s smooth sailing … all the way home!
This page is your special portal for information about the closing process, and includes some handy checklists, and valuable info for you after closing.
ACCESS THESE IMPORTANT CLOSING DOCUMENTS BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW:
- SEAVIEW TITLE WIRE INSTRUCTIONS
- BUYER AND SELLER INFO
- LIST OF IMPORTANT LOCAL PHONE NUMBERS
- SAMPLE LOCAL CONTRACT
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE CLOSING PROCESS?
SALES CONTRACT-EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT
Customarily, your Realtor will provide us with a copy of your ratified Sales Contract along with your personal check, certified check, or wire advice for the Initial Earnest Money Deposit.
OPENING ESCROW
We will immediately “open escrow” by depositing your earnest money, and provide an Escrow Deposit Verification to your Realtor.
SETTING UP AND ASSIGNING YOUR FILE
That same day, we will set up your file, assign the file to your Closing Team, and send out welcome emails to all the parties, which will include a request for information pertaining to the closing.
COLLECTING YOUR INFORMATION FORMS
Buyers are encouraged to inform us as soon as possible of how they wish to hold title, and whether they will be present for closing, and Sellers will provide social security numbers for proper reporting of the sale to the IRS, along with a preferred method of delivery for sales proceeds. We will email the info form, or you can access it on the link above.
ORDERING TITLE-PROCESSING YOUR FILE
If you are financing your mortgage, we will wait to order title until receiving a title order request from your lender. We check on the status of real estate taxes paid on the property, and whether the property is in a special CDD or other taxing district, and we inquire about utility bills, code enforcement liens, open building permits, and judgments.
If there are homeowner’s associations or condominium associations, we will send out estoppel requests to determine the amounts due for monthly, quarterly, and annual assessments.
YOUR PRELIMINARY CLOSING STATEMENT
We will send you a preliminary copy of your settlement statement, reflecting estimates of applicable fees, not including any mortgage fees.
YOUR TITLE COMMITMENT
When the title report and title commitment are returned, we forward those to your Realtor for review, and we begin working on clearing any title issues or exceptions.
LOAN APPROVAL-SURVEY-INSPECTIONS
While we are working on these items, we will be communicating with you, your Lender, and your Realtor regarding the status of your loan approval, whether or not a survey is required, the status of of the property appraisal, and the results of termite inspection and other inspections.
ASSOCIATION APPROVALS-INSURANCE REQUIRED
Also, we will check with you and your Realtor on the status of obtaining HOA or Condo approvals and homeowners and flood insurance.
MORTGAGE LENDER INSTRUCTIONS
Your mortgage lender will send us instructions on their fees and costs and we will work with them to complete a finalized settlement statement (known as a Closing Disclosure).
SCHEDULING YOUR SIGNING
Once your lender approves the transaction for closing, we will schedule the signing with you and your Realtor. In Florida, usually the Buyer and Seller sign at different times, and sometimes sellers will pre-sign their documents before final closing day.
WIRING US YOUR FUNDS BEFORE CLOSING
You will be given several days advance notice of the funds required for closing so you may arrange for an electronic wire transfer the day before closing.
THE SIGNING
The signing of your documents typically will take 30-60 minutes, and afterwards you will be provided with copies, if requested, and you will have access to all your signed documents through a secure digital storage retrieval portal. Your agent will take steps to deliver the house keys to you after closing.
AFTER YOUR CLOSING
After closing, your deed will be recorded with the County Clerk of Court, and a final title insurance policy will be mailed to you, along with the actual recorded deed.
WHAT WILL MY ESTIMATED CLOSING COSTS BE?
We are happy to provide a personalized estimate of closing costs for you upon request.
As well, we believe in full disclosure, and provide to you below, our standard fees for closing. In addition, please visit our resources page for access to a title insurance calculator.
Purchase-Sale (Residential) –
Title Insurance Issued By Seaview Title
| Charge | Paid To | Buyer* | Seller* |
| Settlement Fee | (Seaview) | $550.00 | $550.00 |
| Abstract Fee | (Underwriter) | $85.00 | |
| Copy/Fax/Admin Fee | (Seaview) | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Digital Storage Fee | (Seaview) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Owner’s Title Insurance | (Seaview/Underwriter) | Promulgated Rates (Paid by B or S) | |
| Lender’s Title Insurance | (Seaview/Underwriter) | Promulgated Rates (Paid by Buyer) |
|
| Policy Surcharge | (Underwriter) | $3.28 | |
| County Utilities Estoppel-Open Permit-Lien Search | (Seaview Title/LienOne) | $45.00 | $75.00 |
| HOA/ CONDO Estoppels | POC in Advance or Collect at Closing | Varies |
Refinance (Residential) –
Title Insurance Issued By Seaview Title
| Charge | Paid To | Borrower* |
| Settlement Fee | (Seaview) | $550.00 |
| Abstract Fee | (Underwriter) | $85.00 |
| Copy/Fax/Admins Fee | (Seaview) | $50.00 |
| Digital Storage Fee | (Seaview) | $25.00 |
| Lender’s Title Insurance | (Seaview/Underwriter) | Promulgated Rates |
| Policy Surcharge | (Underwriter) | $3.28 |
| County Utilities Estoppel – Open Permit-Lien Search | (Seaview Title/LienOne) | $70.00 (Optional) |
| HOA/Condo Estoppels | POC in Advance or Collected at Closing | Varies |
* Additional fees for extra courier or overnight delivery shall be as incurred. Actual costs advanced or services ordered from others by Seaview Title or Parrish, White & Yarnell or John P. White, P.A. for estoppels, lien searches, or for other purposes shall be reimbursed at closing, and shall be paid by the parties if the file cancels. Some fees may need to be paid by client in advance. Special legal services requested or required by Buyer or Seller are billed at standard law firm rates.
Seller-Side Only (Residential) –
No Title Insurance Issued
| Seller^ | |
| Attorney’s Fee | $750.00 |
| Copy/Fax/Courier Fee | $20.00 |
| Digital Storage Fee | $25.00 |
| HOA/Condo Estoppels | Varies |
Buyer Side Review-Only (Residential) –
No Title Insurance Issued
| Buyer^ | |
| Attorney Review Fee | $650.00 |
^ All legal work is performed by the law firm of Parrish, White & Yarnell, P.A. and John P. White, P.A. Additional fees for extra courier or overnight delivery shall be as incurred. Actual costs advanced or services ordered from others by Seaview Title or Parrish, White & Yarnell or John P. White, P.A. for estoppels, lien searches, or for other purposes shall be reimbursed at closing, and shall be paid by the parties if the file cancels. Some fees may need to be paid by client in advance. Special legal services requested or required by Buyer or Seller are billed at standard law firm rates.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CLOSING?
In addition to arranging to transfer your funds for closing by electronic wire at least one day prior to closing, you should bring a checkbook from a bank authorized and previously disclosed to your lender, should any nominal difference or adjustment be required.
As well, you will need to bring two forms of identification:
- Picture ID Government Issued (usually a driver’s license and/or passport)
- One other form of government issued ID (voter registration card, social security card, passport, military ID)
Seller should bring house keys, mailbox keys, garage door openers, gate passes, and home warranties and manuals if not previously provided to your Realtor.
HOW DO I ACCESS MY DIGITAL DOCUMENTS AFTER CLOSING?
At closing, we will provide you with a Digital Closing Doc Key containing a unique access code. The key will not contain any data, but when inserted into any computer USB it will take you to a secure portal where you will be able to access all your signed closing documents 24/7. (If you do not receive a key at closing, we will send you your unique access code, along with a link to the online portal.)
You will register on the secure site, and your documents will be accessible only to you. When new documents are added to your file (e.g., recorded deed, title policy, etc.) you will receive an email notification.
Also, after closing, you will receive occasional emails to remind you to file for your Homestead Exemption, along with important information, such as tax information on the sale or purchase of your property, home maintenance tips, real estate and mortgage market news, and neighborhood welcome information.