(801) 221-1555

Serving Utah Valley since 1989

Wire-safe closing you can trust

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Learning Center

Title Guide

for Home Sellers

Selling a home involves more than finding a buyer. Before the sale can close, the title must be clear so ownership can transfer smoothly. This guide explains what to expect, what you’ll need to provide, and how to avoid common delays.

Getting Started

Once you accept an offer, your agent will open title with a title company. Early in the process, we’ll ask you for some basic information, including:

  • The full legal names of everyone on the current deed
  • Your current mortgage lender and loan number(s), including any home equity loans or lines of credit
  • Homeowners association (HOA) contact information, if applicable
  • Any changes in ownership or marital status since you bought the home
  • Trust, estate, or business documents if the property is not held in your personal name

Providing this information early is one of the best ways to keep your closing on schedule.

The Title Search

We review public records to confirm you have the right to sell the property and to identify anything that needs to be resolved before closing. This includes mortgages, liens, unpaid taxes, judgments, and recorded easements or restrictions. The results are summarized in a title commitment, which is shared with you, the buyer, and both agents.

Paying Off Your Mortgage

If you still owe on your home, there’s nothing you need to pay off before closing. We request a payoff statement from your lender and pay the loan directly from your sale proceeds. After the payoff, your lender records a release showing the loan has been satisfied.

If you have more than one loan on the property, be sure to tell us about each one.

Common Issues That Can Delay a Sale

Most title matters are routine, but some take extra time to resolve. Let us know right away if any of these apply to you:

  • The full legal names of everyone on the current deed
  • Your current mortgage lender and loan number(s), including any home equity loans or lines of credit
  • Homeowners association (HOA) contact information, if applicable
  • Any changes in ownership or marital status since you bought the home
  • Trust, estate, or business documents if the property is not held in your personal name

Closing Day

At closing, you’ll sign the deed that transfers ownership to the buyer, along with other closing documents. Plan to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If anyone else is on title, they’ll need to sign as well. If someone can’t attend in person, let us know early so we can make other arrangements.

You’ll also receive a settlement statement showing your sale price, loan payoff, closing costs, and the amount you’ll receive.

Receiving Your Proceeds

After the documents are signed, the buyer’s funds are received, and the transaction is complete, your proceeds will be sent to you by your chosen method. We’ll confirm the details with you before closing.

Protect Yourself from Wire Fraud

Scammers sometimes pose as title companies or agents and send fake instructions asking sellers to change where their proceeds are sent. Always confirm any request involving your funds by calling us at a phone number you know is genuine. We will never change payment instructions by email.

A Few Final Tips

  • Keep your homeowner’s insurance in place until the sale has closed.
  • Keep making your mortgage payments until closing, even if the payoff is near.
  • Hold on to your closing documents for your tax records.

Questions About Your Sale?

Our team at Access Title is here to help sellers through every step. Contact us anytime with questions about your title or closing.