Commercial Escrow Officer

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Job description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Commercial Escrow Officer is responsible to provide accurate and professional title commitments, maintain high level of productivity and products, assess risk and liabilities in accordance with policy provisions, and provide title opinions based on the facts and documentation.

Job Roles:

* Read and draw out metes and bounds legal description

* Compare each insured legal description against assessed legal descriptions, search for discrepancies

* Review ALTA/ACSM surveys and compare to legal descriptions

* Review abstracts of title provided by external or internal abstractors

* Retrieve zoning information

* Review and evaluate requests for ALTA and Stewart-specific endorsements, and where appropriate, provide endorsements

* Prepare pro forma title policies in anticipation of closing

* Communicate directly with the clients (usually lawyers and paralegals) in order to clarify and/or clear title objections

* Assist in preparation of final title policies and endorsements

* Examine title orders within company guidelines to determine the conditions of the title and insurability by considering the effect of documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, mechanics liens, tax liens, judgments, assessments, probates, easements, rights of way, mineral interests and other matters of record

* Research respective title plant software, analyze and evaluate pertinent record documents for determination of ownership, legal descriptions, and any conjunction to title

* Recognize title defects and formulate curative requirements

* Assess risks and liabilities that may jeopardize the company, and bring these matters to the attention of the local title manager, state title manager or underwriter, as appropriate

* Maintain proper production levels and delivery standards on a daily basis

* Work closely with the customer and escrow staff to meet time requirements for options, and assist with answering questions

* Prepare an accurate and compressive title commitment in accordance with company examining and policy procedures

* Perform title searches as needed, verifying, reviewing and compiling information including but not limited to, geographic information, property surveys and legal description, title orders, customer information, ownership histories, physical address, etc. which involves the return of a set of documents reflecting the history of a property

* Updates title and judgment searches and ensures timely processing of associated documents, etc.

* Answers questions and inquiries regarding process, procedures and transactions

* Submits details for examination of the title and provides updates to appropriate parties

* Utilizes various documents, files, websites and title search software

* Recommends and advise management on process improvement and impact of change and leads initiatives to improve processes and service/products

* Perform other duties assigned by manager

Role Specific Knowledge

* Ability to read and draw legal descriptions, including metes and bounds and platted prop

*Advanced knowledge of state-specific real estate laws

* Advanced familiarity with survey concepts, including ALTA/ACSM survey standards

* Advanced familiarity with policy forms

* Advanced familiarity with ALTA and Stewart-specific endorsements and issuing requirements

* Advanced familiarity of a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures

* Excellent written communication and presentation skills

* Expert knowledge of transactional documentation standards and ability to apply standard in non-standard situations

* Ability to operate in an environment with tight deadlines and strict standards

* Proficient in utilizing computer software and systems sufficient to manage spreadsheet, documents and search engines

* Expert in applying company and related legal and statutory requirements related to property search

* Ability to work in a high volume transaction environment, requiring attention to detail and self-motivated

* Ability to identify problems and develop solution of a complex nature

Education, Licensure, and Experience:

* Completion of a High School diploma - and completion of an associate degree in any field

* Completion of an undergraduate degree in in any field a plus

* Minimum of 5+ years of experience in the commercial title industry which includes experience in abstracting and examining.