Choosing the Right Florida Title Company for Your Home Sale

A complete Florida homeowner’s guide to selecting a title company, understanding title insurance rates, comparing services, and ensuring a smooth FSBO closing.

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📘 Quick Summary: What a Florida Title Company Does

A Florida title company handles the legal and financial steps required to transfer ownership of real property. Their main duties include:

  • Conducting a title search
  • Issuing the title commitment
  • Clearing title issues or title defects
  • Preparing closing documents
  • Holding funds in escrow
  • Issuing title insurance policies
  • Coordinating the final closing

Choosing the right title company affects closing speed, accuracy, fees, communication, and overall transaction safety.

🏛 How Title Companies Work in Florida

Florida is unique because both attorneys and title agencies can close real estate transactions. Regardless of which you choose, the role is the same: verifying ownership, ensuring a clean title, and issuing title insurance.

✔ Florida Is a “Title Company State”

Most closings in Florida are handled by title companies, not attorneys (though attorneys may own or operate them).

✔ Who Picks the Title Company in Florida?

Florida follows local county customs when it comes to choosing and paying for the title company:

  • Seller typically chooses AND pays in: nearly all Florida counties
  • Buyer typically chooses AND pays in: Miami-Dade and Broward
  • Occasional buyer-pay areas in parts of Collier and Sarasota, depending on local practices

Outside of Miami-Dade and Broward, sellers overwhelmingly choose the title company in Florida FSBO transactions.

✔ Why Choice Matters

Not all companies offer the same:

  • Fee structure
  • Turnaround times
  • Customer service responsiveness
  • Technology for remote closings
  • Discounts such as reissue credits and legal rebates

💰 Florida Title Insurance Rates, Discounts & Legal Rebates

Florida title insurance pricing is governed by state law, and understanding it helps you avoid unnecessary costs and choose the best company.

📌 1. Florida Promulgated Title Insurance Rates

Florida title insurance premiums are regulated by the state. This means every title company charges the exact same base premium for title insurance.

Important: Title companies cannot legally change the base premium. If one company claims “cheaper insurance,” it is not accurate — the base rate is fixed by state law.

📌 2. Florida Reissue Rates (3-Year Rule)

If the seller (or previous owner) received a title insurance policy within the past 3 years, the buyer may be eligible for a reissue credit. This discount can reduce the premium by 30–40%.

The title company must confirm eligibility by reviewing the prior policy.

Pro Tip: Ask your title company, “Please check if this home qualifies for a reissue rate.” Many companies do not apply it automatically.

📌 3. Title Agent Rebates in Florida (Legal Savings)

Florida allows title agents to rebate a portion of their commission split from the title premium. This can reduce your closing costs significantly.

Florida Statute § 626.9541 allows lawful premium rebates as long as they are offered consistently and do not violate RESPA anti-kickback rules.

Examples of common rebates:

  • $100–$500 closing credit
  • A percentage of the agent’s commission portion of the risk rate premium
  • Discounts for repeat clients or referred customers

🔍 What to Look for in a Florida Title Company

✔ Florida Experience

Florida’s real estate laws, homestead rules, and coastal property issues are complex. Choose a company familiar with your specific county.

✔ Fast Turnaround Times

A good company provides your title search within a few days and resolves issues quickly.

✔ Transparent Fees

While the insurance premium is fixed, other fees may vary:

  • Settlement fee
  • Closing fee
  • Courier/e-recording fees
  • Title search fees
  • Lien search fees (FL-specific)

✔ Remote Online Notary (RON)

Florida allows fully remote closings through approved online notaries.

✔ Clear Communication

Especially important for FSBO sellers managing their own transaction.

📑 Florida Title Search & Title Commitment

A title search identifies liens, judgments, unpaid taxes, or ownership issues. Afterward, the title company issues a title commitment, which outlines what must be resolved before issuing a title insurance policy.

Florida-Specific Searches

  • HOA/Condo estoppel certificates
  • Municipal lien searches (unique to Florida)
  • Permit history reports
  • Utility balances and code enforcement issues

Related guides:

🤝 How FSBO Sellers Should Choose a Title Company

FSBO sellers have full control over the title selection process in many Florida counties. Here’s how to choose confidently:

  • Compare at least 3 companies
  • Ask for a full fee sheet (not just the title premium)
  • Ask about reissue rate eligibility
  • Ask about available agent rebates
  • Check closing speed & communication style
  • Verify remote closing capabilities

Related FSBO guides:

Ready to Choose Your Title Company?

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