Local Resources
Title & Escrow Companies
Verifying ownership, issuing title insurance, holding escrow funds, and coordinating the closing process.
A title company plays an important role in many real estate transactions by helping verify property ownership, researching recorded documents, issuing title insurance, managing escrow funds, and coordinating the closing process.
Whether you're purchasing a home, selling land, refinancing, buying commercial property, or completing a 1031 Exchange, a title company works with buyers, sellers, lenders, real estate professionals, attorneys, and other parties to help facilitate the transaction.
This page is designed to help you understand what title companies do, when they are involved, questions you may want to ask, and local title and escrow companies serving Northwestern Colorado and Northeastern Utah.
01
What They Do
Title and escrow companies may provide services including title searches; title commitments; owner's title insurance; lender's title insurance; escrow services; closing coordination; document preparation; recording documents; earnest money escrow; ownership research; easement and encumbrance research; commercial closings; agricultural and ranch closings; construction loan closings; and 1031 Exchange closing coordination.
02
When You Might Need One
- Purchasing a home
- Selling real estate
- Buying vacant land
- Commercial real estate transactions
- Refinancing a mortgage
- Purchasing agricultural property
- Estate property transfers
- 1031 Exchanges
- Construction loans
- Owner-financed transactions (when applicable)
03
Why Their Role Matters
A title company helps identify recorded matters that may affect ownership, coordinates many aspects of the closing process, and issues title insurance policies designed to protect against certain covered title defects. By bringing together buyers, sellers, lenders, real estate professionals, and other parties, title companies help facilitate a smoother closing while ensuring documents and funds are handled according to the transaction instructions.
05
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- Does my contract specify a title company?
- Who selects the title company in my transaction?
- What services are included?
- What title insurance policies will be issued?
- How are escrow funds handled?
- What documents should I bring to closing?
- How will I receive my closing documents?
- Do you have experience with ranch, land, commercial, or 1031 transactions?
05
Common Title Terms
Title and escrow language can feel unfamiliar the first time you see it on a commitment or settlement statement. Each term below opens its own explainer.
- Title SearchThe research process that traces recorded ownership and identifies documents affecting a property's title.
- Title CommitmentThe document that sets out what the title company found and the terms on which it would insure title.
- Title InsuranceCoverage designed to protect against certain covered defects in title that existed before the policy was issued.
- Owner's PolicyThe title insurance policy that protects the buyer's ownership interest rather than the lender's loan.
- Lender's PolicyThe policy a lender requires to insure the validity and priority of its lien.
- EscrowThe neutral holding and disbursement of funds and documents according to the parties' written instructions.
- ClosingThe point at which documents are signed, funds are disbursed, and ownership transfers.
- RecordingFiling documents in the county's public records so they give notice to the world.
- EasementsA right for someone else to use part of a property for a defined purpose.
- LiensA recorded claim against a property, usually securing payment of a debt.
- EncumbrancesAny recorded interest, right, or restriction that affects the use or transfer of a property.
- Chain of TitleThe sequence of recorded transfers tracing ownership of a property over time.
06
Local Resources Serving This Area
Choosing the right professional is an important decision.Take time to compare experience, communication style, availability, services, and pricing.We're happy to help you think through which types of expertise may be appropriate for your situation.
Craig, Colorado
Northwest Title Company
Serving Craig & Moffat County. Services: title searches; title commitments; owner's and lender's title insurance; escrow services; residential and commercial closings; earnest money escrow.
Stewart Title Company
Serving Craig & Moffat County. Services: title insurance; ownership research; escrow; farm and ranch closings; commercial closings.
Meeker, Colorado
Title Company of the Rockies
Serving Rio Blanco County. Services: title insurance; escrow; water rights transactions; agricultural closings; residential closings.
Land Title Guarantee Company
Serving Rio Blanco County. Services: title searches; escrow; closing services; title insurance.
Hayden, Colorado
Title and escrow services for Hayden and western Routt County are typically provided through Routt County title companies located in nearby Steamboat Springs.
Land Title Guarantee Company
Serving Hayden & western Routt County through its Routt County office. Services: title searches; escrow; closing services; title insurance.
Title Company of the Rockies
Serving Hayden & western Routt County through its Routt County office. Services: title insurance; escrow; residential and commercial closings.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Land Title Guarantee Company
Serving Routt County. Services: title insurance; escrow; commercial closings; land and ranch transactions; 1031 Exchange coordination.
Title Company of the Rockies
Serving Routt County. Services: residential; commercial; development projects; escrow; title insurance.
Vernal, Utah
Basin Land Title & Abstract
Serving Uintah & Duchesne Counties. Services: title insurance; abstracting; escrow; agricultural; commercial; oil and gas properties.
Uintah Basin Title Company
Serving the Uintah Basin. Services: title searches; escrow; residential and commercial closings.
First American Title Insurance Company
Serving Uintah County. Services: commercial title insurance; residential title insurance; escrow; settlement services.
07
Related Content
Background reading and tools to help you prepare for the conversation.
Western Edge Property Group provides these resources as a convenience to help you begin your research. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. We encourage you to compare experience, communication style, available services, technology, transaction expertise, and customer service before selecting a title and escrow company.
Questions About the Closing Process?
Closing on a property involves many moving parts, from title research and escrow to signing documents and recording ownership. I'd be happy to help you understand the process, answer your questions, and connect you with experienced title professionals as you prepare for your transaction.
Schedule a Consultation