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Services Offered

Title Insurance:
For homeowners and lenders, we issue all American Land Title Association (ALTA) owners and loan policies.

Title Searches:
We perform a detailed examination of the historical title records concerning a property. The title search describes the condition and quality of the title to the property. The title search will verify the seller's right to transfer ownership, and discover any claim, defects, or other potential burdens on the property.

Document Preparation:
When selling a home with or without a real estate professional, you'll need the services of a professional title insurance and closing company. One of the many valuable services Lighthouse Title provides to sellers of real estate is referred to as Document Preparation or commonly known as "Doc Prep" within the real estate industry. The cost of "Doc Prep" for the average home sale is about $250.00. Lighthouse Title has outlined below a description of services performed by its Document Preparation Department, in order to assure you - the seller -that your sale will close in a timely and professional manner. After you walk away from the closing table, you will have the peace of mind you expect and deserve.

Lighthouse Title Services will provide the following services:

1. LHTS will conduct a thorough and complete title search of the property and issue a current title insurance commitment. Said commitment will set out how title is vested of record, and show all open liens, judgments and mortgages filed and recorded against the real estate.
2. LHTS will contact your current mortgage holder(s)and order the mortgage payoff letters.
3. LHTS will order all Special Assessment letters required from the proper Town, Village, City, or Municipality wherein the property is located. Note: sometimes more than one letter may be required. Proration of said Special Assessment will be calculated up to the day of closing.
4. LHTS will research all current and prior real estate taxes. Proration of taxes will be calculated up to the day of closing.
5. LHTS will prepare all documents required in accordance with the signed Offer to Purchase.
6. LHTS will prepare all appropriate Deed and State Transfer Return forms.
7. LHTS will coordinate the closing with Seller, Buyer, and Buyers lender.
8. LHTS will prepare the required IRS. 1099's.
9. LHTS will prepare the Sellers and Buyers Closing Statements.
10. LHTS will Close your transaction or attend the closing with you at the buyers Lenders office or any desired location. (An additional closing fee may be charged.)
11. LHTS will disperse all funds for mortgage payoffs, taxes, liens, judgment, and sellers proceeds.
12. LHTS will record all new documents with the Register of Deeds to assure all title issues are cleared and title is passed appropriately Seller to Buyer.

Closings:
As an additional service, Lighthouse Title Services can handle your escrow (closing). There are various types of escrows. The most common is simply a disbursement service where Lighthouse Title Services acts as an agent on behalf of the lender. Lighthouse Title Services will disburse all real estate taxes, special assessments, prior mortgages, and other liens that may be against the property. We will also as review all deeds, surveys and required documents, and record all documents; draw checks and prepare an accounting of all funds disbursed. The cost of this service is customarily an expense of the buyer.

Lien & Judgment Check:
A lien and judgment check is a search of public records for the existence of liens and judgments filed or recorded against a property and owner of the property prior to obtaining a new mortgage.

Search and Hold:
A search and hold is a written summary of matters of record affecting real estate since the date of the last sale. The search and hold includes a copy of the title deed, any unsatisfied mortgages, lien and judgment, assessed valuation of the property, current tax status, and a plat map.

Letter Reports:
A letter report provides specific title information, but does not include title insurance coverage. This document is normally used by lenders for smaller loans or by attorneys.

1031 Exchanges:
In an IRS Section 1031 exchange, Lighthouse Title Services can serve as the intermediary in the purchase of your replacement property.

For Sale by Owner Assistance:
Our step by step, For Sale by Owner program guides you during each phase of the sale and closing process. Lighthouse Title Services is the only title company in Racine and Kenosha Counties that offers a specialized For Sale By Owner program.

Notary Service:
We offer the Notarization of Documents. Certain documents require signatures signed in the presence of a notary. The Notary ascertains that the signature and person are of the same.

Bilingual Closings:
For Spanish speaking customers, we can provide an interpreter who is familiar with all aspects of the closing process.