19 Mar COVID-19: Operations Update
While the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change at a rapid pace, one thing that remains constant is our commitment to the wellbeing of our clients, staff, family and friends. We extend our sincerest wishes for the health and safety of you and your loved ones throughout this uncertain time.
As we reported earlier this week, while we are taking all the proper precautions, our offices remain open and fully operational. We want you to know that we are here for you. Right now, hundreds of county and municipal offices across the country are either closed or operating in a limited capacity, and these office closures remain in ongoing flux. Despite these closures, we can still obtain searches, insure deals, and get files closed. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions about a specific area’s availability, as we have access to several resources that are not available for public distribution.
To that effect, we have also built an extensive back title plant that exceeds over one million files, and our searcher has access to an unmatched number of back title policies. We are experts in the data that is available online, as we have used these websites as a resource over the years. We understand what’s missing from the online websites and what’s available – this is our niche.
We are actively engaged in a dialogue with industry leaders and local government officials regarding the impact of these county and municipal office closures. If the situation in New Jersey is elevated further, and there are more updates pertaining to specific county closures, closing procedures, and recordings, we will share that information with you.
Finally, we have significant flexibility from our underwriters during this unprecedented time. We’re also able to provide remote notarization services due an emergency exemption for properties nationwide with a proposed policy amount of $1,000,000 or less, and we are able to e-record and insure files through the date of recording.
We believe we can get you to closing during these unstable times, but please understand that you may experience longer than normal turn-around times.
If you have reason to visit our offices, please rest assured that we are taking all of the proper precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Our cleaning services are regularly wiping down and disinfecting our bathrooms, door handles, elevator control knobs, hallway railings, and other surfaces daily. However, we are limiting in-person visits to a minimum. We are also encouraging any of our staff members who do not feel well to stay home.
We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves. Keep an eye on your email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for further updates. Most of all, be well, and stay safe.
Sincerely,
The Town Title Executive Team