Closing is only
the beginning
Comprehensive Title Searches • Full Services on Every Transaction • Timely and Accurate Title Commitments • Superior Communication • Knowledgeable and Professional Staff • Strong and Dependable Underwriter Support • E-Closings and Online/Remote Notaries • Experienced Attorneys • Unique Marketing Software and Technology • Industry Professional Networking Events • In-House Continuing Education • UTitle - The Online Transaction Manager • Community Involvement • Rapidly Expanding Across Texas!
Calculators
With only a few details of the transaction handy, you can quickly gain clarity with ease and comfort.
Premium Calculator
Purchase Calculator
Refinance / Home-Equity Calculator
Universityagent one
Numbers made easy. Experience real estate's #1 closing cost app, UniversityAgent ONE.
Buyer estimates. Calculate the two numbers your buyers care about most: total monthly payment (PITI) and closing costs.
Seller net sheets. Regardless of price, neighborhood, or motivation, every seller wants to know the same thing: what will I net? Run a net sheet from anywhere in seconds.
Get social! Photo lenses, dynamic infographics, and consumer calculators that help you connect with clients and attract new prospects on social media.
Qualia shield
Qualia Shield helps title companies simplify and protect their funding and disbursement processes.
With Qualia Shield, title companies can:
Detect the risk of wire fraud in real time
Gather earnest money deposits from homebuyers in a secure portal
Utitle Tracker
UTitle Tracker is a web-based transaction management platform that keeps clients informed about their real estate transaction. When University Title Company is provided with the customer’s email address, a user name and password are assigned to the customer. UTitle Tracker also begins communicating with the client via email to alert the client of updates to the transaction, including when the transaction is assigned to a closing team, when the closing team member is assigned, including contact information for the team member, when the survey is reviewed and approved, when the closing is scheduled and when funding occurs.
UTitle Tracker also serves as a closing document repository. Clients may access their contract, title commitment, survey, or settlement statement, even after the transaction has closed in UTitle Tracker. Additional documents related to the transaction may also be available. In addition, transaction participants may email each other in UTitle Tracker or email documents to other parties within the website.
For more information on UTitle Tracker, view our UTitle Tracker Brochure. Please email AVL@utitle.com or call 979.260.9818 with any questions or concerns about UTitle Tracker.
wire fraud
HOW YOUR MONEY GETS STOLEN
Hacked email – Hackers get access to the email account of someone involved in the transaction – the buyer, seller, real estate agent, mortgage lender, title agent, or other.
Email from hacker – The hacker then emails that person to change the wiring or payment instructions without knowledge from the other parties.
Consumer pays wrong account – If not questioned, the wrong account gets the down payment or other funds and the criminal gets away.
Closing day – By the time closing day arrives and the mistake is realized, often the funds are long gone.
HOW TO AVOID WIRE FRAUD
Rule 1: Always question emails that contain wiring instructions.
Hackers have learned to exploit the real estate closing process to steal millions of dollars from people buying or selling a home.
Rule 2: Always call before sending any money.
When you do receive instructions on where to send money prior to closing, always call your contact person at the title company to verify. Then call your bank to verify as well.
Rule 3: Always call after sending money.
It’s always a good idea to call right after money is sent. That way, you can verify that it was received by the correct recipient.
Rule 4: Act immediately if anything seems unusual.
Contact your bank, mortgage company, and title company immediately if anything is in question. If something is wrong, you may need to contact your local FBI office.
1031 Exchange
These transactions are large and small, in both rural and metro areas and represent everything from small rental housing properties, to neighborhood strip malls and large mixed-use buildings in urban centers, to agricultural land. Like-kind exchanges provide an important incentive for investing in affordable housing and commercial real estate. Current law tax treatment for Section 1031 real estate like-kind exchanges must be preserved.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code Section 1031 allows people that sell real estate to defer the payment of capital gains taxes when they reinvest those gains in similar or “like-kind” real estate. According to research by Professors David Ling (University of Florida) and Milena Petrova (Syracuse University), around 10-20% of commercial real estate transactions involve a 1031 exchange.
ECLOSING & Remote online notary (RON)
NOTARIZATION TYPES
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In-person notarization of paper documents.
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In-person notarization of electronic documents.
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Remote online notarization of paper documents (delivered via mail, courier, etc.) with use of multi-factor authentication.
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Remote online notarization of electronic documents with use of multi-factor authentication.
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Remote notarization of paper documents via audio-video communication platform (Skype, Facetime, etc.).
FAQ
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An eClosing (electronic closing) takes place when some (or all) of the closing documents are signed electronically.
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What is remote online notarization (RON)?
A remote online notarization (RON) happens when the signer is not in the same physical location as the notary. In a RON transaction, live two-way audiovisual technology (such as a webcam) is used to complete a notarial act in accordance with Chapter 406, Texas Government Code.
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Both the signer and notary must access an approved RON platform where documents are uploaded. The technology must provide audiovisual capabilities set forth by Texas Statute so the notary and borrower can see and hear each other. Once the notary verifies the signer’s identity, the signer and notary both sign the document electronically, and the notary affixes an electronic seal.
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Depending on the type of transaction or acceptance by the lender, the vendor compliant solution would be Notarize or Pavaso.
helpful definitions
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Electronic Mortgage (“eMortgage”): A mortgage loan where the closing documents – through a digital closing process that includes, at a minimum, the promissory note – are created, accessed, presented, executed, transferred, and stored electronically.
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Electronic Notary (“eNotary”): A notary public who is authorized by the Secretary of State to perform electronic notarial acts in conformance with law.
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Electronic Note (“eNote”): The electronic promissory note is a transferable record that can be registered on the MERS eRegistry. A transferable record created in conformity with the requirements of eCommerce laws is the functional equivalent of a paper negotiable promissory note and is just as enforceable against the borrower as its written counterpart.
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MERS eRegistry: Mortgage Electronic Registration System is a database created by the mortgage banking industry that simplifies the mortgage process by using electronic commerce. MERS tracks ownership and servicing rights of the mortgage loan promissory note. Your lender will register the eNote with the MERS eRegistry after it is eSigned and eRecorded.
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Electronic Vault (“eVault”): An application used by the mortgage industry that serves as an electronic repository for delivery and storage of eNotes and other mortgage- related files. Using an electronic vault, mortgage originators, warehouse lenders, and servicers can perform key actions regarding the eNote including registration, delivery, and transfer of the promissory note.