Pulling title on wholesale deal

[Jae Payne]

Question about pulling the title: I found a title company that I like. I did a couple deals with them they charge a $125 non-refundable fee to pull the title which gets rolled into the closing cost. What I have done in the past is have the buyer call and pay the fee when they make their earnest deposit. How can I structure it where I get a non-refundable deposit? My concern is the title not coming back clean. Should I use my money to pull the title before assigning the deal? Any suggestions??

[Jonathan Holmes]

Are you attempting to create a system where you collect a deposit from your buyer that you keep regardless of if the title comes back clean?

If I’m reading your post correctly that’s bad business and sounds like a good way for your buyer to feel taken advantage of and refuse to work with you/ bad mouth you.

On the other hand if you mean just enough to cover the title search so it doesn’t come out of your pocket should the deal fall through, again I would call that bad business and advise against it. The buyers are your customers and having a good relationship with a hand full of big buyers will make you successful. Those repeat customers come from treating them well and ensuring they come out of the deal feeling good.