Home Buyers and Sellers - Touchstone Closing and Escrow

Buyer Representation

Have you ever wondered why you need a lawyer to represent you when purchasing a property? Your new property may be new to you, but every property has a history. When you hire Touchstone Closing to represent you, we’ll run a thorough title search that’ll uncover any title defects tied to your new property.

Common Title Issues that We’ll Look For

Errors in public records
Unknown liens
Illegal deeds
Missing heirs
Forgeries
Undiscovered encumbrances
Unknown easements
Boundary / survey disputes
Undiscovered will
False impersonation of previous owner

Title in a Flash

Once you’ve hired Touchstone Closing and the offer is signed, it’s our policy to immediately order the title. Our attorneys and network of independent title examiners will provide a full 50-year title search history within 3-5 business days.

Successfully negotiating purchase and sales agreements is part of the Touchstone Closing process. Over the years we’ve guided thousands of satisfied and happy buyers into their new homes.

The Importance of the Offer to Purchase

A real estate broker will assist you in completing the offer form but can’t give you legal advice. Touchstone is always available to discuss your legal questions about the purchase of your home whenever you have them. Before, during, and after the transaction. A signed Offer containing all of the terms of the closing is a binding legal contract. Therefore, the dates must be carefully thought out before you sign the Agreement.

Purchase & Sale Review

We’ll review the purchase & sale agreement within 24 hours of receiving it. Your paperwork can be reviewed by us at your convenience via email, over the phone, or in person.

Closing Document Review

At the Closing, you’ll sign dozens of documents. Your Touchstone attorney will review the paperwork with you and discuss any last-minute questions you may have.

Declaration of Homestead

The declared homestead will protect you against attachment, seizure, execution on judgement, levy or sale of your new property for the payment of debts. Touchstone Closing will prepare and record a Declaration of Homestead for you at your closing for no additional charge. This entitles you to an automatic homestead protection worth $125,000. And signing and recording it with the registry of deeds, will increase that amount to $500,000.

Close on Time with a Reputable Mortgage Broker

Since 2015, substantial modifications of the settlement & closing business have dramatically affected the ability of borrowers to close on time. The mortgage market has normally been volatile, but has become more so since TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) of 2015.

As a home buyer, there are hundreds of mortgage lenders competing for your business. It’s critical that you work with someone with a proven track record of closing on time in this new lending environment.

Don’t be afraid to ask for references!

We have the resources and ability to explain the legal impacts of the numerous documents to the borrower, to answer questions about the content of those documents, and to identify and take corrective action, for any problems or defects that are discovered in title.

Do you have questions? We can help!

No matter where you are in the home buying process, whether you have a realtor or not, whether you’re pre-qualified for a mortgage or not, Touchstone is ready to address your needs.

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Seller Representation

When you hire Touchstone Closing to represent you as a Seller, we’ll interact with the buyer, the agent, and the bank, to make the transfer of ownership possible.

We’ll ensure that all the terms of the Offer to Purchase are carried out and that your interests are protected. If necessary, Touchstone will draft or revise the purchase and sales agreement, prepare the deed or power of attorney. If there’s a mortgage or mortgages on the property, we’ll obtain payoff statements, review the Settlement Statement, and attend the closing on your behalf.

We are here to make your sale run smoothly

At Touchstone, we have a dedicated, accessible, and knowledgeable staff to assist you with all of your real estate needs.

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