Pros and Cons of Becoming a Title Closer
Title closers work in the real estate industry to ensure that a property's title is ready for the closing of a sale. Read the pros and cons of this career to decide if it is the right fit for you.
| Pros of Becoming a Title Closer |
|---|
| No formal education required to enter the field (67% have just a high school diploma or its equivalent)**** |
| Average pay (2014 mean annual wage of about $43,000)* |
| Can work for agencies or freelance** |
| Job is made up of a variety of different tasks** |
| Cons of Becoming a Title Closer |
|---|
| Predicted job growth is average (8%-14% between 2012 and 2022)**** |
| Economic conditions often significantly affect available work in the real estate industry* |
| Job postings show employers look for experienced closers** |
| Some states require licensure* |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Careerbuilder.com, ***Minnesota Department of Commerce, ****O*Net OnLine
Essential Career Information
Job Description and Duties
Titles are legal documents representing the rights to a particular piece of property. Title closers prepare these documents for the closing of real estate sales. The title closer gathers various documents such as mortgage paperwork, insurance policies, deeds and tax records for review. Title closers are responsible for ensuring that there are no liens, judgments or outstanding tax obligations on a property, disbursing funds related to the sale, acting as the notary public, and ensuring the accuracy of documents related to the property's title and the pending sale. They may also meet with realtors and/or their client.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the top industries employing title closers in 2011 were legal services and insurance carriers.
Salary Information
The BLS reports a mean annual wage of about $43,000 for title closers in 2014. There appears to be an approximate $6,000 difference in annual salary between the top paying metropolitan and non-metropolitan cities for title closers. Salaries appear to fluctuate based on the workers experience and the job location.
Career Skills and Requirements
While there are no formal educational requirements to work as a title closer, some states will require you to obtain licensure. Title closers in states with this requirement may have to take state-approved training courses before applying for licensure. Title agents can attend training at a non-degree level through schools that specialize in real estate courses or through professional organizations such as the American Land Title Association. Title closers are often required to be notaries public. The requirements of becoming a notary public differ from state to state, and professional organizations such as the National Notary Association provide state-specific training via webinars, self study programs and live seminars.
The work of a title closer is mostly administrative. Being able to multitask, perform research, and maintain records and ledgers is important for title closers, according to job postings and professional title associations. Title closers must also be familiar with how to read legalese, interpret tax documents and be able to communicate information to both the realtor/broker and the buyer.
Jobs from Real Employers
Whether working freelance or with an agency, a title closer must be diligent, have good research skills and be able to communicate with others involved in the sale. Listed below are snapshots of job postings from real employers in June 2011.
- An Illinois real estate agency has an opening for a title closer. The company seeks candidates with at least two years experience who are good at multitasking and have excellent math skills. Travel of up to 50% is expected in this job.
- A staffing agency seeks a title closer for a banking and finance client in Minnesota. This full-time position requires at least three years experience, good customer service skill and the ability to multitask.
- A Missouri banking and finance company seeks a title examiner/closer with at least one year of experience. The incumbent will analyze deeds, tax assessments and more in order to determine the status of a property's title. This is a contract position.
How to Stand Out
Because there are no fixed educational requirements for this field, completing a training program can help you stand out by providing concrete proof of qualifications and skills. Schools that have continuing education or professional development programs may offer non-degree courses for title closers. Courses may be offered in a location, online or via correspondence. Being able to show an employer proof of qualifications could give you the edge in seeking employment or advancement.
Joining a professional organization can also help you boost your career by providing opportunities for networking, continued training and professional conferences. Professional organizations such as the American Land Title Association have members that are seasoned professionals as well as newcomers. Networking with people more established in the field could lead to better job offers and unforeseen opportunities. Continued training and conferences help you to build skills and keep you abreast of changes to this industry.
Other Fields to Consider
Licensing Examiner
If you have a strong attention to detail, but are more interested in working with people than with documents, you may want to consider becoming a licensing examiner. Workers in this field are responsible for administering tests, evaluating applications and issuing licenses to individuals. They must be knowledgeable about the regulations, eligibility and liability issues that pertain to various types of licenses. The BLS reports that the median annual wage in this profession for 2011 was about $61,000. The projected job growth rate between 2010 and 2020 is 19%. With many entering this field with only a high school diploma, this may be a good alternative to becoming a title closer.
Eligibility Clerk
Eligibility clerks interview people both in person and via the telephone to determine if an applicant qualifies for assistance or resources. They are also responsible for answering the applicant's questions regarding the program they are applying to. They may also make referrals to other resources that an applicant may need. Like other clerks, eligibility clerks are also responsible for record keeping and locating and preparing necessary documents. With an anticipated 17% job growth between 2010 and 2012, this may be a good choice for those who enjoy a mixture of working with people and performing administrative tasks. The BLS reports a median annual wage for 2011 of about $41,000.
