What Does a Title Company Do? A Memphis Homebuyer’s Guide

If you’re buying a home in Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, or anywhere in Shelby County, a title company will play a central role in your transaction — even if you only meet the team on closing day. Here’s what actually happens behind the scenes, and why it protects your investment.

1. Opening the order

Once you and the seller sign a purchase contract, your Realtor® sends it to the title company. At Sure Title, we open the file the same business day, confirm everyone involved (buyers, sellers, agents, lender), and invite each party to a secure online portal where they can track progress and share documents.

2. Searching the title

“Title” is the legal right to own the property. We search county records for every deed, mortgage, lien, judgment, and tax record connected to the property and the seller. The goal is to confirm the seller can legally sell the home and to uncover anything that could cloud your ownership — an old unreleased mortgage, a contractor’s lien, unpaid property taxes, or a missing heir from a prior estate.

3. Issuing the title commitment

The results become a title commitment: a document listing the current owner, the requirements that must be satisfied before closing (like paying off the seller’s mortgage), and the exceptions the policy won’t cover (like recorded easements). Your agent and lender review it so there are no surprises.

4. Clearing problems early

If the search turns up issues, the title company works to resolve them — ordering payoffs, getting lien releases, or coordinating with attorneys on estate or probate questions. Catching these early is the difference between closing on time and pushing your date.

5. Holding funds in escrow

Your earnest money and closing funds are held in a neutral escrow account. The title company only disburses money according to the contract and the lender’s instructions, and every dollar is reconciled.

6. Running the closing

We prepare and balance the settlement statement with your lender, schedule the signing, verify identities, notarize documents, and walk you through every page. Most signings take 30–60 minutes.

7. Recording and issuing title insurance

After closing, we record the deed and deed of trust with the Shelby County Register of Deeds (electronically, in most cases), pay off the seller’s loans, disburse proceeds and commissions, and issue your owner’s and lender’s title insurance policies.

Why your choice of title company matters

• Speed: a fast, organized title company keeps your closing date.
• Security: wire fraud targets real estate closings. Look for identity verification and secure wire instructions.
• Communication: you should be able to see your file’s status without chasing emails.

In Tennessee, buyers have the right to choose their title company, though many rely on their Realtor’s recommendation. Ask about technology, fraud protection, and experience before you sign.

Related: Title Insurance · Closing Services · Memphis Title Company

This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Every transaction is different — consult your attorney, lender, or tax professional about your situation.