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Original Message:

Re: first american title "redweek recomended" (by KC):

dustino wrote:
i have found a buyer for a timeshare week and was looking for and closing company with escrow that was reputable . I thought well lets see what redweek recomends. i thouth 300+ recording fees for closing and escrow were resonable i started their online form but there is a spot there that asks who will pay the title insurance fee. I am not going to pay another 300 for title insurance and already agreed to a set price with me covering closing costs. im selling it for 1800 cc included. I dont think that warrants title insurance. anyways the online form will not let you complete without choosing who will pay the insurance fee, i call their toll free number and get "we are open 8-430 monday thru friday. should i just use a different closing company, they sound reputable, but i wish on the page where redweek is promoting them they would state that the title insurance is mandatory to use them for closing/escrow I wouldnt have wasted my time on filling out their forms just to hit a wall and then possibly look like a ass when i tell my buyer want to use a different company. any advice would be welcomed
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My own *personal* experience (and opinions) follow:

1. Neither you NOR your buyer are legally required to obtain title insurance. In fact, on a $1800 timeshare sale I regard doing so as a waste of money. Since you (seller) will have to present the current deed to the closing company anyhow, discrepancies (if any) will be promptly revealed in examining the current deed and preparing a new one. An estoppel letter sent to the resort prior to closing will also reveal any and all current ownership name questions and/or any unpaid bills.

2. I'd give First American Title until COB today (Friday) to call you back. If they don't, move promptly on to another closing company. $300 is a standard fee (recording fee usually INCLUDED in that figure) and the price you cite is no particular bargain. If they don't want your business, someone else equally (or more) competent does -- at the same (or less) cost.

3. You did not identify the state in which your timeshare is located. In my own personal experience, it's often more efficient to use a well established timeshare closing company located in the same state where the timeshare itself is located. Indeed, some closing companies can't / won't even handle ANY transactions where the timeshare is located in certain states (Hawaii, Vermont and South Carolina all come immediately to mind, but there are other states too).

4. I'm not going to "peddle", "market" or "bad mouth" any particular closing company here --- and I have no affiliation with ANY of them. However, having dealt with several of them over the years, I do harbor some strong opinions (good and bad) about some of them. If you can't resolve your issue with First American, and you want to come back and openly post a REQUEST for an alternative recommendation (specifically identifying the state in which the timeshare is located), then (and only then) I would be willing to make a recommendation --- but ONLY if directly asked. I do NOT want to appear to be steering business toward (or away from) any particular entity and I'm NOT doing so. That said, however, I am certainly entitled (and willing) to share my own direct, personal experiences.....