For Sale By Owner
Our Value
No real estate agent? No broker? No problem.
For sale by owner, made easy. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, a seasoned seller, or looking to refinance, our expert team of closers is ready to take care of business: yours. We’ll do it all — prepare documents, conduct the closing, and make sure all the details get done the right way right away. So, all you have to do is kick back and relax. There’s nothing but sunny skies and smooth sailing ahead.
On-demand Closing Cost Estimates
Complimentary Preliminary Title Searches
On-site Closings
Same-day Receipt Of Your Commission
Full-service, Attorney-owned Title Agency
Legal Document Preparation
24/7 Real Estate Attorney Availability
We're With You Every Step
Your Guide to For Sale By Owner Success
1. Process Walkthrough
We’ll walk you through everything from A to Z.
We’ll take you through the closing process for your For Sale By Owner transaction so you know what to expect every step of the way. The first thing we’ll do is memorialize the terms — for both you and the buyer — to ensure the contract has everything you want. Then, we’ll ask you to fill out a seller disclosure form so that you can include anything specific, like lead paint disclosure. Don’t worry. It’s all standard operating procedure.
2. Contract Preparation
E-signed, e-sealed, and e-delivered.
As an attorney-owned title agency specializing in For Sale By Owner transactions, we’re able to square up the legal with ease. Whether you’re navigating the process for the first time or you’re a seasoned seller, we’ll prepare the contract, email it to both parties, and after you and the buyer sign your John Hancock via e-Signature, we’ll be in business. It’s as easy as one, two, three.
3. Contract Review
We’re in the business of helping you.
Of course, if the buyer’s agent submits a contract, we’ll review the details with you to ensure everything is clear and in your best interest. Whether it’s a standard real estate deal or a For Sale By Owner process, we’re here to help.
For All Transactions
The Seller & Buyer Timeline
Title Search
After we receive a contract for a For Sale By Owner sale or purchase agreement, we open a file and start a title search. Then, we contact the buyer to arrange a deposit.
Confirm Deposit
After we confirm the deposit, usually via wire, we notify all parties via email with an ‘escrow receipt confirmation.’
Title Commitment
The title search is critical. It helps us determine the legal status of the property and if we need to address any issues, like outstanding liens. The seller and buyer receive a ‘Title Commitment’ that we review with our client to ensure everything is ready to move forward.
Contact Lender
Nearly all properties have a mortgage. So, we’ll contact the seller to get authorization to contact the lender to get an accurate payoff amount that’s good through the closing date.
Estoppel Letter
A property in a residential or condominium community requires a bit more legwork. Rest assured. We’ll go the extra mile and get an ‘estoppel letter’ from the HOA, which provides the seller’s account status, special assessments due, and any special requirements to transfer the title.
It’s closing time.
Most closings are set for 30 days after the contract is signed. But if it’s a cash transaction whereby the buyer is not using bank financing, we’re ready to close in ten days or less, provided the escrow, title search, and payoff amount go smoothly. Our goal is to make sure your For Sale By Owner transaction proceeds without delays.
Loan Approval
If the buyer is applying for a mortgage, there’s not much left to do but sit tight while the lender completes their underwriting. The loan approval takes 3 to 4 weeks before the loan status changes to ‘clear to close.’
Determine Total Closing Costs
Now that we have the green light to close, we’ll work directly with the loan officer to determine closing fees, costs, and loan charges — everything the buyer needs to know to get the exact ‘cash to close’ to pay at closing. The seller provides a closing disclosure to the buyer at least three days before closing.
Signing Day
It’s time to set a date, time, and location for both parties to meet, sign, and complete the closing. Most lenders require a final review of all documents before releasing funds. We immediately disperse the sale proceeds via wire once we receive approval.
Deed Transfer
The original deed gets mailed to the buyer along with our prepared Title Insurance policy, ensuring a seamless and secure For Sale By Owner transaction. And everyone lives happily ever after.
The sale may be over, but we’re always in your corner.
After the deed is successfully transferred and the For Sale By Owner transaction is complete, our relationship doesn’t end there. At Title USA, we pride ourselves on providing ongoing support, no matter what. If you have any real estate-related questions, whether they’re legal, procedural, or about another property entirely, our team is here to help. Once you choose to work with us, you become part of the Title USA family — and family always takes care of its own.
