Now, more than ever, it is imperative to use a well-established reputable title company, like Knight-Barry, for your transaction.  Just as the sub-prime market has affected the lending and real estate community, the title community is being hit hard too.  There is little reason why the Milwaukee market has 80+ title companies operating.  There just isn’t enough activity to support so many companies.  Therefore, several smaller and middle-sized title companies are closing down, with aftershocks being felt long after the doors are dead bolted and the files packed away in storage.  Lenders and homeowners expecting to receive a title policy from these fly by night title shops are left waiting.  Foreclosure firms attempting to foreclose on behalf of a lender are being delayed since original deeds and mortgages are still in boxes in the defunct title offices.  Yes, this is happening in Wisconsin. 

So, what can you do?  That’s easy.  Stop using lame title companies.  Stick to the larger well-established companies like Knight-Barry.   Do your homework, don’t just use the cheapest guy on the block and stay away from crazy “too good to be true” deals.   A good title company doesn’t have fire sales and will always be there for you.  Knight-Barry has….for 154 years.