Title company question

[Kevin Co]

Maybe this is a newbie question but I put an offer in over the weekend for a property in Cleveland and the sellers agent replied back with a list of instructions.

Generally I don’t mind the format or the clear requests, it keeps the expectations in line. What I’m wondering though is they have mandated a certain title company be used. The Ernest money check needs to be made out to this title company and all references to any other title company needs to be removed from the agreements. Only there title company can be used.

I’m not even sure this is normal practice, does this sound right? For context this is my third property in the area and only the first time this has come up.

[James Wise]

Originally posted by @Kevin Co:

Maybe this is a newbie question but I put an offer in over the weekend for a property in Cleveland and the sellers agent replied back with a list of instructions.

Generally I don’t mind the format or the clear requests, it keeps the expectations in line. What I’m wondering though is they have mandated a certain title company be used. The Ernest money check needs to be made out to this title company and all references to any other title company needs to be removed from the agreements. Only there title company can be used.

I’m not even sure this is normal practice, does this sound right? For context this is my third property in the area and only the first time this has come up.

 There are not any rules or specific ways this is done. The answer like most things in real estate is that it's negotiable. So depending on who wants what and who's got the leverage in the transaction is going to dictate how things pan out. For instance if you're bidding on a property with multiple offers on it it's going to be in your best interest to play ball with the seller's requests if you'd like to take the deal down. Conversely if it's a property that has little traction and you're the only person interested in buying the leverage is going to shift over to you.