Regency Title & Escrow Services, Inc

Message: Background: I purchase, rehab, and sell up to 4 homes per year and experience a lot of settlement / title companies. Because of this frequency it is easy to compare and contrast various local area companies. I have my favorites but this review is for Regency Title & Escrow Services in Falls Church, VA.. Facts: Settlement was on May 19, 2014. I was the seller and worked with Vanessa and Ann of Regency Title on the closing. The silent attorney Michael Strong, who prepared the Deed, was not needed for settlement.. Review: Both Vanessa and Ann were very competent and accommodating. Settlement was pushed back twice by the lender and Regency overcame those hurdles without problem or delay. During settlement Vanessa was speaking with the buyers in Vietnamese and kindly asked my permission if this was ok, which I found thoughtful.. I strongly urge both buyers and sellers to ask for a "preliminary HUD-1" to be emailed to them prior to settlement. This is not very common but should be. It takes a lot of the surprises and/or disputes out of the settlement room and any modifications can be made prior to. Vanessa and Ann kindly accommodated this request.. Because Vanessa knew I was experienced, she focused more on the buyers and their questions but made herself available to me if I had any questions.. FEES: The settlement/closing fee was $225 and Deed prep was $200. A good 4 out of 5 stars. What I found to be a welcome relief was the lack of add-on fees that other settlement companies like to tack on knowing buyers & sellers have little idea on what fees are legit and what aren't. I can't tell you how many times I've battled and nearly walked out of settlement because of these fees. Regency was straightforward and honest -- Nice! Additionally, most title companies automatically charge the buyer & seller for fund transfers courier fees. Regency included free check courier fee and charged $25 if I elected a wire transfer instead. Nice to have the choice. I chose the wire transfer and the funds were in my bank by close of business the following day. The only thing I questioned was their statement that they could not execute a wire transfer until the Deed was recorded at the courthouse. Unless the laws have changed, one is not predicated on the other. I've seen payments be dispersed long before the Deed was recorded. The laws may have changed tho so I need to check into this further.. All in all it was a good closing and all went well. I cannot speak for the buyers side nor the scheduled payments that Thai K, the other reviewer, mentioned.. 4 out of 5 stars!