OLD TOWN TITLE

I was the listing Realtor of a transaction involving a short sale. It did close. But, both the Buyer Agent and I had difficulty with communicating with this company. Short sales are particularly sensitive as far as timing, documentaion and accuracy go. So, communication was KEY! Upon first contact, I asked for an email address. I was told that they do not use email. I was dismayed and explained that there were detailed instructions that I wanted to be able to send to them. So, Kathy did give me an email address so that I could send the instructions. Why did I have to ask twice? I must say that they were quick in getting out the preliminary HUD1 with very short notice. They had not received closing instructions from the bank until late Wednesday. We were closing on Friday at 8:30 AM. And everything had to be perfect before that so that the Short Sale Negotiator could approve the short sale before the closing. I received that HUD1 within one hour - late on Wednesday. I submitted it immediately, to the Short Sale Negotiator. They did get the preliminary HUD1 to me quickly - that was good. That's why I could not give this company an F for responsiveness. But, after submitting the HUD1 to the Short Sale Negotiator, I was instructed that there were changes that needed to be made. I emailed Old Town Title at the email address that they gave me, detailing the changes that needed to be made. Then I called them to let them know. But, I got their voicemail and left a message. Three hours later, I called them to check on the HUD1. I was told that they did not check the inbox of the email address that I was given. I asked why they would give me an address that was not monitored - she just huffed and said she didn't know why or who gave me that address (rude) and gave me her email address. Then she proceeded to ask me about the adjustments to the HUD1 that the Short Sale Negotiator required. She argued with me about one of those adjustments saying most vehemently that that could not be done. I told her that I have seen it done. She continued to argue with me but then said that she would see what she could do. Ultimately, she made the changes that were required. Why argue? It, obviously, could be done. And also, why would a company have an email address that is not monitored? And why would they give it to a Realtor that was working on a closing that was going to occur in two days? Finally, at the closing, I reminded the closing agent that I needed to have a copy of the written proof of transfer of funds. She said I would need to contact the office for that. I did. They said they would send it over when the funds were wired. Okay. I waited. I called. She "confirmed" that they were sent. I told her I needed written confirmation. She tried to give me the confirmation number over the phone. I asked her if that confirmation number was in writing. She said yes. I asked her to fax me that piece of paper. She asked for my fax number. I gave it. I never got the written proof of wired funds. I called again on Monday. They told me, again, that it was confirmed. I told them again that I needed written proof because it was required by the Short Sale Negotiator that I upload it into the program that we use to manage the short sale (a site that they had no access to). And I told them that I was promised that document on Friday. She transferred me to their attorney - Dave. Dave got on the phone. I explained what I needed to him. He said they had already notifyed GMAC (the Short Sale Lender) of the wire transfer. I explained, AGAIN, that I had to have the document so that it could go to the Short Sale Negotiator - as instructed in the closing instructions. He said, "Well, it's in my file and I don't have time to get it out now. So, I'll get around to it later." Exasperated, I said "fine" and hung up. I did, ultimately receive that document and I got to upload it according to the instructions from the Short Sale Lender. But, I would NEVER use Old Town Title! And, I would highly advise any other Realtor, or buyer or lender against using them! It was an absolutely, awful experience. They were almost uniformly unfriendly and sometimes positively rude.

After the closing I noticed that only one of my deeds was handled at closing. My property that I purchased consisted of two plots. When I contacted the owner of the title company, Dave Horn, I was not able to speak with him. I left numerous messages & no call back. My mortgage company finally had to get him to fix the mistake. It was 3 months later that I finally got my two copies of the deeds. I never did get an apology or anything from them.