What Does a Title Company Actually Do?

What Does a Title Company Actually Do in a Real Estate Transaction?

If you’re buying or selling a home in Arizona, you’ll likely work with a title company — but many people aren’t quite sure what we actually do. The truth is, a title company plays one of the most important roles in making sure your real estate closing happens smoothly, legally, and securely.

At Arizona Premier Title, our work starts well before you sit down to sign papers — and continues until the keys (or funds) are in the right hands.

1. Verifies Ownership of the Property

Before a home can be sold, we confirm that the seller legally owns the property and has the right to sell it. This involves:

  • Reviewing property records

  • Checking past deeds and transfers

  • Confirming that the seller’s name matches the legal ownership on record

2. Clears Any Clouds or Liens on the Title

A cloud on title is anything that could question or threaten ownership. This could include:

  • Unpaid property taxes

  • Unreleased mortgages

  • Judgments or liens

  • Boundary disputes

Our job is to find and resolve these issues before closing so the buyer gets clear title — meaning there are no hidden ownership claims.

3. Coordinates with Escrow

In Arizona, title companies often also handle escrow services, acting as a neutral third party to:

  • Hold funds, documents, and instructions until all terms of the sale are met

  • Make sure the buyer’s funds and the seller’s deed are exchanged securely

  • Keep both sides informed throughout the process

4. Issues Title Insurance

We provide title insurance policies that protect both the buyer and the lender from financial loss if a title problem arises after closing.

  • Owner’s Policy – Protects the buyer’s ownership rights

  • Lender’s Policy – Protects the lender’s interest in the property

Title insurance is a one‑time cost paid at closing, and it offers long‑term protection for as long as you own the home.

5. Facilitates the Closing Process

We manage the final steps of your transaction, including:

  • Preparing closing documents

  • Disbursing funds to the seller and other parties

  • Recording the deed with the county to make the transfer official

Once everything is signed, sealed, and recorded — the buyer gets the keys and the seller gets their funds.

Why the Title Company Matters

Without a title company:

  • You could unknowingly buy a home with unpaid debts or legal disputes.

  • Funds and documents could change hands without proper protections.

  • You wouldn’t have the safeguard of title insurance to protect your investment.

✅ At Arizona Premier Title, we take pride in protecting our clients’ property rights, coordinating smooth closings, and ensuring every real estate transaction is secure from start to finish.