By John Christian, Attorney

For many people, purchasing real estate is the largest purchase of their lives. That also makes it the most important purchase in most people’s lives. Because of that, it is important to use the services of someone you trust in the title and closing process. Blethen Berens has a full-service title company within its law firm. The trust that the community places in Blethen Berens for all its legal needs can also be placed in Blethen Berens Title for the community’s title and closing needs. We provide the same services that other title companies in the area do, with the added benefits of being a law firm, at a similar price point as other title companies.

Because Blethen Berens Title is wholly within the Blethen Berens law firm, we can provide additional services and expertise that a traditional title company cannot.

First, at Blethen Berens Title, all our real estate transactions are reviewed and overseen by an attorney licensed in Minnesota who has experience with real estate transactions. By closing at Blethen Berens Title you get all the added benefit and expertise of having the transaction managed by an attorney without the cost of hiring an attorney.

Second, the real estate attorneys that oversee the transactions handled by Blethen Berens Title are experienced in spotting potential issues and have the tools to remedy or manage issues before they impact the closing. We always hope that complications do not arise, but the real estate attorney reviewing the closing documents, title search, and all parts of your transaction have the expertise to spot potential complications and risks. Blethen Berens Title real estate attorneys then also have the knowledge to determine whether those risks can be ignored, or they can discuss with both buyer and seller on how to remedy them quickly while keeping the closing on schedule. When issues arise in closings handled by other title companies, Blethen Berens attorneys are often brought in late in the transaction to remedy them. If you choose to close at Blethen Berens Title, you have a real estate attorney along for the entire process to foresee potential issues and begin remedying them immediately.

Third, a typical title company cannot give legal advice on complex situations that arise or draft the necessary documents to solve title issues. An important job of a closing company, whether Blethen Berens Title or any other title company, is to review the ownership records of the property being sold to ensure that the Seller actually owns the property, to discover any unknown liens or mortgages on the property, and to determine if there is a possibility of any other party claiming ownership over a portion of the property. As a real estate attorney, we have seen many issues come up in this phase of the closing process that have forced the parties to push back closing or have caused a cancellation of the transaction altogether. As a buyer, the last thing that you want after spending months negotiating a purchase agreement, completing loan applications, and visiting a property is to have something like this arise at the last minute before your scheduled closing. Especially when it could have been found and resolved early in the process to keep the closing as scheduled.

This situation is where Blethen Berens Title adds the most value to the closing process. The real estate attorneys at Blethen Berens can offer legal advice on easements, restrictive covenants, rights of first refusal contracts, mineral rights, and other potential issues early in the closing process so a buyer knows exactly what they are getting into, and if a change needs to be made, it can be addressed without having to throw off the closing timeline. Not only are the attorneys at Blethen Berens Title experts at identifying issues, but they are also able to draft the documents necessary to remedy title issues that a traditional title company cannot because they do not have attorneys on staff.

Lastly, the closing costs charged by Blethen Berens Title are comparable to the costs charged by other title companies. Blethen Berens Title offers all the services of a traditional title company at a competitive price point including document preparation, title insurance, escrow services, and efficient closing logistics, but Blethen Berens Title offers a distinct advantage over traditional title companies. We have attorneys on staff to review all parts of the transaction at no extra cost.

Closing with Blethen Berens Title is smart, efficient, and cost effective. To work with Blethen Berens Title on your next closing, please contact us at 507-345-1166.