Adjusting To Digital and Drive-In Closings

To protect the safety and health of our customers, clients, and staff, Homestead Title has made some significant adjustments:

• We offer Digital, E-Closings to Sellers and Cash Buyers
• We are handling in-person transactions as “Drive-Up Closings”

So, how well are these working? 

Digital, E-Closings

We’ve handled many digital closings over the last week and the reviews are positive.  Closing from home is obviously convenient and safe. And the time it takes to close is similar (actually a little longer to authenticate identities). Yet, just as working from home can be awkward and less efficient, so too are digital closings.  The technology is good and easy, but not perfect.  Voices sometimes echo or lag, video can cut out, and explaining documents is slightly harder. Anyone who’s participated in Zoom or other video conferences knows what we mean.  Given our current circumstances, the positives far outweigh the negatives.  In normal times, this will be one more tool in our tool-kit, but will not replace in-person closings.

Drive-In Signing

Homestead Title is handling all in-person transactions at our WEST office as “Drive-Up Closings.” We’ve received fantastic responses as customers appreciate our efforts to protect their health. And, the process has worked very well: Customers call when they arrive, we bring documents and a clipboard, and they sign in the car.  Customers take a little longer to sign. And we answer questions from 6 feet away or by phone.  We can’t wait to return to the closing room, but we’re proud to keep our customers and team safe.

With both Drive-In and E-Closings, we are offering to send all copies via secured, encrypted email.

Some of these adjustments are temporary.  In healthy times, we will not be doing “Drive In” closings — if we do, we’ll serve burgers and shakes on skates!  We likely will handle more e-closing when things return to normal. Yet, we anticipate most closings will return to the closing room with happy buyers, sellers, Realtors, and lenders celebrating together.

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Keeping Your Real Estate Transaction Safe

Homestead Title will be taking extraordinary measures to protect the health and safety of our customers, clients, and team.

Remote Staff: More than 85% of our team are working remotely from home.  We have had remote capabilities for over 15 years and you may not notice a difference.  We still ask for patience and understanding as it is hard to work with co-workers who are toddlers, pets, and family.

Drive-Up Signings: All in-person transactions will be “Drive Up Closings” at our WEST office until Wisconsin’s Emergency “Safer at Home” Order expires (currently set for April 24). Here’s what you should know:

• In-Person Signing at 555 Zor Shrine (WEST): All closings will take place at our West office as “drive up closings.”
• Strict Lock-down of our Office: We are not admitting anyone into our office other than essential staff.
• Alert Us When You Arrive: Call our main number and we will have our closing officer come right out to your car with documents to sign.
• Only Signers at Closing: We urge only signers come to Drive-Up Closings. Others can come, but they will not be allowed in our building and will be asked to stay in their cars in the parking lot.

Digital Closings: We can do fully digital, remote closings for Sellers or Cash Buyers. The mortgage industry is moving fast to add financed buyers, but we are not yet aware of any Banks or Credit Unions that can do a fully remote closing.

Our mission statement is to make the closing process easier, smoother, and less stressful for our buyers and sellers. For the next few weeks or months, we need to add: “… and safer.”

 

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Homestead’s Coronavirus Response: We are Here to Help Buyers and Sellers.

Homestead Title has implemented a plan to maintain day-to-day operations in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Homestead will continue normal operations, without disruption, during these challenging times. We do not anticipate any delays or cancellations as a result of temporary changes to our business. The majority of Homestead’s team will work remotely from home over the coming weeks. Phone and Email will operate as normal and we are available to help.

Closing officers will be available in our office for any scheduled sale or refinance. We will operate with minimal, in-office staff and appreciate your patience and understanding.

We are committed to supporting and serving our employees, their families, and all those involved in our real estate and title insurance transactions.  As we monitor developments and guidance from public health professionals, we will make any necessary adjustments.

Tips for a Healthy Real Estate Closing:

1. Only Signors in the Closing Room: Homestead will not allow anyone in the closing room other than necessary signors (Buyers, Sellers, and their attorneys).  We urge Lenders and Realtors not attend closing and will ask them to wait in our outside lobby.
   1. We will include Realtors and Lenders on all questions by phone.
   2. We will overnight commission checks at no cost to the Realtor or their broker.
2. Sign Separately and Social Distancing: We encourage Buyers and sellers to sign at different times.  We are waiving Seller pre-sign fees until at least June 1, 2020.  Alternatively, we encourage Buyers to arrive on time and Sellers to arrive 35 minutes after the start of closing.  This will allow for minimal contact and more “social distancing.”
3. Remote or Digital Closings: When possible, Homestead will offer remote or digital closings.  Remote notarization is not yet legal in Wisconsin, so fully digital closings are rarely an option other than for cash purchasers. We will explore all options to accommodate our customers and protect the well-being of our community.
4. Clean Office Space:  We are providing clean pens and separate paperwork to minimize contact between people. We are wiping down all surfaces with disinfectant wipe throughout the day.
5. When to Avoid Closing: If any Buyer or Seller is sick,  in contact with anyone diagnosed or suspected of having Covid-19, or has traveled internationally in the last 14 days, please contact us for alternative closing options
6. Celebrate: We are excited to help you buy, sell and refinance. Yet, we will be refraining from hand shakes, high fives, and other close celebrations.  These are scary times, but together we can do this!

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