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WELCOME TO VALLEY TITLE & ESCROW AGENCY, INC., DBA LAWYERS TITLE AGENCY OF DELAWARE
We are a full service title company offering a variety of services from real estate title examinations to closing services, escrows and 1031 exchanges. The professional staff at Valley Title & Escrow Agency, Inc., dba Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware are committed to delivering friendly, honest, efficient and reliable real estate closing services. Give our staff a call to see how we can help you with your next real estate transaction.
TITLE INSURANCE, WHAT IS IT?
Real estate is one of your most valuable assets. You want to protect your real estate ownership and the improvements on the land. At the time you are about to purchase real estate, you need to know what rights, encumbrances or claims are on the title. Certain entities such as individuals, corporations, lenders, judgment creditors, or governmental bodies could claim rights and interests against the title to the real estate you are buying. These rights or claims remain attached to the title of the real estate unless they are extinguished.IS IT IMPORTANT TO RECEIVE CLEAR TITLE TO THE PROPERTY YOU ARE BUYING?
To determine what rights or claims are against the title to the property, Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware performs a diligent title examination of the public records for documents associated with the real estate. From those public documents we determine if there are any rights or claims which have an impact upon the title to the real estate. The title examination may reveal recorded defects, liens or encumbrances such as unpaid taxes, judgments, tax liens, unsatisfied mortgages, court actions, easements, and restrictions. A title commitment is issued to the buyer noting all the title defects, liens or encumbrances that were revealed during the title examination. These items which are reported on the title commitment can be accepted, resolved or extinguished prior to the closing of the transaction.WHEN WILL I RECEIVE TITLE INSURANCE POLICY?
Once your closing has occurred, you will receive your title insurance policy. Should any undiscovered claims arise out of the past which threatens your title, it will be disposed of or you will be reimbursed pursuant to the provisions in your title insurance policy.The premium for title insurance is only paid once, as long as you or your heirs own the real estate. There are no annual payments to keep your title insurance policy in force.
Call 740-369-1656 for your next closing or email us @ LTA@LTAdelaware.com
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WHAT WE DO
Closing and Escrow Services for:
Title Insurance for:
Title Searches/Examinations
Purchases and Refinances -
Commercial and Residential Real Estate -
New Construction -
Foreclosure/Sheriff Sales -
Estate/Probate Real Estate Transactions -
Farms -
Owners, mortgage and leasehold policies -
Preliminary judicial reports -
Residential and Commercial -
Re-issue rates on prior policies -
Lien Reports -
Mechanic's Lien Searches -
SUBMIT A REFINANCE ONLINE FORM HERE
1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges
A properly structured 1031 exchange allows an investor to sell a property, to reinvest the proceeds in a new property and to defer all capital gain taxes.
Products for Buyers
Whether you’re purchasing your first home or your fifth, knowing what to expect when you close on your new home can reduce the anxiety that can come with the home buying process. It is important to us for you to have a smooth and professional real estate transaction. Once your real estate closing order is placed, many processes and services go into action. Different items get ordered such as the real estate title examination, your lender’s closing package and any inspections. The professional staff at Valley Title & Escrow Agency, Inc., dba Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware will make sure all services get ordered and completed on time for your closing. It is our goal to keep you and your real estate agent informed and updated during the pre-closing process and through the actual closing.
MEET THE TEAM
Our staff combined offers over 110 years of experience for a smooth and successful closing. Lawyers Title is locally owned with close ties to the community. You can call Lawyers Title and be confident that you will receive professional title and closing services.
Carolyn Kay Riggle - more...
Carolyn Kay Riggle
I have been with Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware since 1998. I primarily handle all of the real estate closings and marketing for Lawyers Title. I attend many Realtor/Affiliate meetings each week to try to keep up with the constantly changing world of real estate. I have received the Affiliate of the Year Award three times from the Delaware County Board of Realtors.
I have worked with the Delaware County Board of Realtors on the Public Relations Committee and the Program Committee, and served as the first Affiliate Member of the Board.
I am currently the Mayor of the City of Delaware and have served as an elected official as Delaware City Council At Large since 2003. My passion in life is to help others in any way I can.
I also serve as a Director of the Delaware County Fair and work towards putting on a safe, fun, educating fair for all every year.
I have helped with the American Cancer Golf Outings, Comic for Cure, Arthritis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Celebrate Delaware! / Main Street Delaware, Toys for Tots, People In Need, and a number of other non-profit organizations.
I organized the recognition and honoring of the Delaware Army Reserve as they were deployed and I was so proud to have Delaware join with me to welcome them ALL home!
I participate in Honor Flight Columbus, which escorts WWII and Korean Veterans to Washington D.C. to see their Monuments. I have had the privilege of making this trip 12 times as a guardian. I have done a lot of fundraising for Honor Flight. All Veterans' trips are free, they have already paid their dues. This is such a wonderful experience for the Veteran, as well as myself!
I received an Award for Volunteer of the Year in 2000, and then in 2005 I was surprised with Citizen of the Year from the Delaware Chamber of Commerce. I have 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 2 dogs, 2 birds, and a big turtle, Myrtle, who lives here at the office
Sales Contact
Sandy Stepp - more...
Brenda Irvin - more...
Brenda Irvin
I am a closing processor. I have been with Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware since July of 1995. Prior to working for Lawyers Title I worked in the lending sector.
Sandy Stepp
I am a closing processor. I have worked in the real estate industry for over 30 years and have been with this office since 1987. Prior to working for Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware I was employed by a local law firm and obtained my paralegal certification during that time.
Closing Processor
Closing Processor
ABOUT US
Since 1987!
Since 1987, our agency has been serving the real estate needs in Central Ohio. Our dedicated staff has a combined professional and knowledgeable experience of over 110 years. With our experienced personnel, up to date technology and resources, we will provide you a professional and efficient real estate closing. If needed, we are capable of setting up a satellite office for your real estate transaction.
Lawyers Tittle Agency of Delaware does not have any affiliated business arrangements or joint ventures with any real estate companies or lenders. Our agency is an independent office. We give each of our clients and their real estate transaction the individual attention they deserve and expect.
Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware is an approved agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company (www.oldrepublictitle.com) and Fidelity National Insurance Title Company (www.fntic.com).
Delaware County, Ohio - Did you know?
4.9%
88.4%
23.9%
82.3%
Women-owned firms in Delaware County and 27.7% total in Ohio.
Persons below poverty level in Delaware County and 12.8% in Ohio.
Homeownership rate in Delaware County and 67.5% in Ohio.
Living in same house 1 year & over in Delaware County and 85.5% in Ohio.
Source U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts. Data derived from Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Non-employer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits
Last Revised: Wednesday, 22-Apr-2015 09:01:28 EDT
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: WHY DO YOU NEED TITLE INSURANCE?
A: A home is often the largest single investment any of us ever make. Title insurance protects against loss of value from defects that may exist in the title, or arguments made by others that such defects exist. These defects or problems include fraud, forged signatures on deeds, unknown heirs or previous owners, liens and documentation errors. If you were uninsured and your right to the title is challenged, you could lose significant money defending yourself – you could even lose your home.
Q: WHAT IS A TITLE?
A: When you purchase a home, you are really purchasing the title to the property – which is the right to occupy and use the property. That legal right is usually documented in the form of a deed recorded at the local courthouse. A title may be contested based upon past rights and claims asserted by others. These types of claims can complicate your purchase of the property, or challenge your ownership later on, and potentially cause you to lose money.
Q: HOW DOES TITLE INSURANCE PROTECT YOU?
A: An owner’s policy of title insurance protects a buyer against defects in the title of the property, either clearing up title problems or paying for your losses. For a one-time premium generally paid at closing, an owner's title insurance policy remains in effect as long as you, or your heirs, retain an interest in the property.
Q: HOW DOES TITLE INSURANCE PROTECT THE LENDER?
A: A lender’s policy of title insurance protects the lender that financed a piece of real estate against loss caused by defects in the owner’s title.
Q: WHY DO I NEED TITLE INSURANCE ON A REFINANCE?
A: Title insurance on a refinanced mortgage is usually offered at a reduced rate, and it assures your lender that you actually own the property. It insures that no one else has a preemptive position in front of the lender, and if someone does, it pays the lender’s losses.
Q: WHY DO I NEED TITLE INSURANCE ON A BRAND NEW HOUSE?
A: Even if your home itself hasn’t had previous owners, the land that it stands on has. Your policy insures you as the owner of a specific piece of property. It clarifies the property rights, insures that your builder is not using it as collateral on another loan, and that there are no unidentified interests affecting your property.
Available Tools
About The Seller Proceeds Worksheet - Fill in the blanks to determine your estimated proceeds. Those fields that appear in yellow rows will be calculated for you. Do not use any non-numeric symbols such as commas, dollar signs, etc. Use Tab/Shift Tab to move back and forth between blanks; arrows within. Place cursor and use Delete to make changes within blanks. Reset to clear form and start over.
You may print this form for your convenience, or press the Reset button to try a different set of numbers.
Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware provides this estimate as a complimentary service, and even though such estimate is believed to be accurate, it is not guaranteed. The information reflects an estimate of charges that the sellers are likely to incur at the sale of their property. The fees and any proceeds are only an estimate and should not be construed as a commitment by Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware Seller’s portion of title cost as set forth in this estimate presumes that the purchase agreement provides that seller will pay the cost of the Home-owner's Title Insurance Policy. Also, the seller's fees may vary by County and the above calculations may not include all costs. For further information, please contact Lawyers Title Agency of Delaware at 740-369-1656. This estimate does not reflect the buyer's fees.
A discount to the owner's title insurance premium is available if your previous policy is less than 10 years old. Any discount that is being calculated above is based on a 2006 Title Insurance Policy and if your previous title insurance policy is a Home-owner's Title Insurance Policy, then your discount should be higher.
Open Seller's Net Worksheet Here
Premium Rate Calculator - Calculator Questions or Assistance: Call (740) 369-1656
ORDER ONLINE FORMS
Complete the form and then press the "Submit" button at the bottom. Text areas marked in red are required fields. If the areas in red are not completed, we will not receive your form.
Sandy or Brenda from Lawyers Title will be calling you to confirm your order and get other pertinent information.
Complete the form and then press the "Submit" button at the bottom. Text areas marked in red are required fields. If the areas in red are not completed, we will not receive your form.
Sandy or Brenda from Lawyers Title will be calling you to confirm your order and get other pertinent information.
If you would prefer to complete it by hand and FAX it, click here for a PDF Refinance Form for the Down-loadable/Printable Version - click here for a PDF Purchase Form for the Download-able/Printable Version. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.
Sandy or Brenda from Lawyers Title will be calling you to confirm your order and get other pertinent information.
DISCLAIMER
This site is not designed for the transmission of highly confidential customer, non-public personal information, and should therefore not be used to enter or transmit data such as customer Social Security Numbers or Driver's License Numbers.
OUR PRIVACY POLICY - click here
GET IN TOUCH
103 N. Union Street Suite A
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Office: 740-369-1656
Fax: 740-548-5443