The people who make every deal actually close
Real estate agents post their newest listings.
Investors talk about their latest purchase.
Wholesalers celebrate another deal under contract.
But there’s a group of professionals in real estate who almost never get the spotlight—even though every single transaction depends on them.
Title and escrow.
They are the unsung heroes of real estate.
And the truth is, if they don’t do their job well, nothing else matters.
The Work Nobody Sees
When a real estate deal goes smoothly, nobody talks about title and escrow.
But when something goes wrong?
Everyone immediately looks to them.
Where’s the money? Why hasn’t the wire arrived? Is the title clear? Did the documents get signed?
Title and escrow sit in the middle of the entire transaction making sure everything works exactly the way it should.
They:
- Verify clear title
- Handle millions of dollars in funds
- Coordinate signatures and documents
- Ensure the transaction follows the law
- Make sure everyone gets paid correctly
And they do it all behind the scenes.
How Fast Can You Really Close?
In the world of cash offers, investors love to say:
“We can close fast.”
But the real question should be:
How fast is your title company?
Because even if a buyer is ready, a transaction only moves as fast as the title and escrow team managing it.
Pulling title quickly. Preparing documents quickly. Coordinating signatures quickly.
That’s what actually determines whether a deal closes in 7 days… or 30.
The Salt Lake Team
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible title and escrow professionals.
In Salt Lake City, that person is Shanae and her team.
And when I say they go above and beyond, I mean it.
I’ve signed closing documents with sellers:
- On the hood of a car
- On top of a trash can
- In the driveway of a house
- In situations where we just needed to make it as easy as possible for the seller
Shanae has met sellers wherever they needed to be so we could get a deal closed quickly and smoothly.
When you’re trying to move fast and solve a problem for a homeowner, that level of commitment matters.
The San Diego Team
In San Diego, we’re fortunate to work with an outstanding team as well.
Carolyn Church and Ryan Lipsey at Ticor Title.
Behind every successful closing is a team coordinating:
- Title searches
- escrow instructions
- payoffs
- documents
- and wires
Carolyn, Ryan, and their teams make sure every piece comes together exactly when it needs to.
And when you’re doing multiple transactions a year, that reliability is invaluable.
Why They Matter
As investors, we put together the purchase agreements.
But title and escrow are the ones who actually execute the transaction.
They make sure:
- the seller gets paid
- the buyer gets clear title
- the paperwork is correct
- and the deal closes properly
Without them, none of this works.
A Simple Reminder
If you’re in real estate—whether you’re an agent, investor, lender, or wholesaler—take a moment to appreciate the title and escrow professionals in your life.
They rarely get the recognition.
But they are the ones who quietly make sure everything works.
And in my experience, the best ones don’t just process transactions.
They solve problems.
About the Author
Paul Baird is the co-founder of 1-800-BUY-HOUSES and the creator of The Perfect Cash Offer™, a framework designed to bring transparency and trust to cash real estate transactions.
Since 2005, Paul and his team have purchased and renovated over 500 properties and acquired more than $500 million in real estate directly from homeowners.
Through his work, speaking engagements, and writing, Paul advocates for a higher standard in the cash-offer industry—one built on transparency, certainty, and putting homeowners first.
