Hello Lisa,

I have been fortunate to create a "Witness Closing" Department within one of my title companies.  I created this department to offset the lack of business from attorney's and/or title companies who may feel threatened by contact a "title agency" for any type of assistance.  What I have found is that you should differentiate between "Witness Closings" and "Settlement" in your marketing material.  By offer "Witness Closings", you open the door to many other potential clients who simply prepare the docs, schedule the loan and afford you an opportunity to accommodate.  Our average price covering the entire state of New York is $200.00.  That offers downloading, faxing, the closing itself, shipment and post-closing follow-up as needed.  As far as "Settlement", we average about $350.00 throughout the state.  However, this gives you all of the above with the addition on HUD preparation/approval, funding and disbursement. 

By segregating the two services, you can adjust your fee schedule a little more easily without fear of working for nothing.  Furthermore, it also affords you the opportunity to expand and grow in two different directions.  I will certainly keep you in mind for my Texas deals and I would hope you would do the same if any NYS title, settlement needs come your way.  Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of anymore assistance.  Best of luck to you and ALL OPEN FORUM READERS/CONTRIBUTORS ON SOT!!!!!!!!!!!!  Coming from a 34 year old poker play such as myself, "you take your wins with your beats"...meaning, sometimes the bad comes with the good and sometimes the good comes with the bad.  Open Forums such as this are nothing but positive networking and self preservation.

J.T. SHOEMAKER, VP, Statewide Settlement, Inc.  www.statewidesettlement.com