Our friend Susan Muller, at Land Title Services, informed us that many title companies have put new policies and procedures in place in order to help protect buyers, sellers, and staff from the coronavirus while continuing to hold closings.
First, they are making social distancing a priority. No one is allowed into the office unless they are a signer. That means no REALTORS®, lenders,... or parents, are even allowed in the lobby.
All signers that come in are asked to wash their hands, they get a brand new pen and are immediately directed to a conference room. Closers will then disinfect the room after each signing.
Susan said, to protect their staff, they will not go to sellers' homes for closings, only to facilities that they know are taking proper measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
They are able to accommodate RON (Remote Online Notarization) closings to allow sellers to sign from home. But, sellers need to have the proper equipment. Susan said they aren't sure if lenders are ready for it yet, but they will be able to do the lenders side soon as well.
While these times are very strange and stressful on many, they hope buyers and sellers can rest assured at the closing table.
