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| General
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1. How can I get access to the SearchTec online ordering system? |
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Any customer with a web browser, a user id and password assigned by SearchTec can place orders secured by Verisign. If you are already a customer and don't have an id or password, you may sign up on the web.
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2. Can my report be sent to multiple email addresses? |
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We can send a copy of the report to any other department at your request, making the process as convenient as it can be for you.
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3. Where is SearchTec's Corporate Headquarters? |
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SearchTec's main office is located in Center City, Philadelphia PA.
The office location is as follows:
211 North 13th Street
Suite 600
Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19107
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| Title Insurance
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1. What is title insurance? |
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Insurance against loss resulting from defects of title to a specifically described parcel of real property. Defects may result in the chain of title or encumbrances.
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2. What is title? |
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The evidence one has of right to possession of land.
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3. Why should I consider title insurance? |
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Peace of mind. Title insurance insures against losses resulting from hidden defects in the chain of title.
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4. How do you get title insurance? |
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If you are the insured, you have the right to select the title company you wish. Lenders will be more than happy to assist you with the selection and place your application with a reputable title firm.
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5. How much does title insurance cost? |
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The premium is based on the amount of title insurance desired. Generally, the amount is the purchase price. In the event that you are obtaining a mortgage for your property, the lender will probably require a title policy for the amount of the mortgage.
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6. How often do I have to pay the premium for title insurance? |
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Only once! It remains in effect from the policy date through the entire time the property remains in your family or with your heirs. The exception is if you refinance. Then, the lender would require a new policy effective the date of refinance.
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7. What does the title company do? |
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Title companies are not future risk carriers; they are more like risk elimination. A thorough search, covering an extended period of time, is made of the public records which relate to the property and a title commitment is issued.
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8. What is a title commitment? |
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A commitment outlines various objections to the title and is issued to the lender for examination. It is then used at the settlement to insure that the title being conveyed is clear and the new owner is made aware of restrictions affecting the land.
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9. What part does the title company play at settlement? |
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Title reps collect all funds and pay fees related to the sale/purchase of the property. They insure a clear title. Upon completion, the title co. sees proper recording of docs and the issuance of the title policies.
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| Public Record Searches
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1. What is a SearchTec number? |
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A SearchTec number is a number that identifies you from other customers.
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2. What is my customer code and where is it listed on the search? |
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Your customer code is a three letter or number symbol used to distinguish what company you are from. On a search, your customer code is the first three characters located on your order number. For example, order # ABC1234. ABC is the customer code.
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3. How do I place my order on the website? |
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Your sales rep will assign you a user name and password and then you can begin placing orders at www.searchtec.com.
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4. Can I check the status of my order online? |
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Yes, you can check the status of any order, view a completed report, and receive a report via email with any documents attached.
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5. How can I receive a completed search? |
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There are several methods for accessing SearchTec and for receiving a completed search. Our computer system can deliver completed reports via U.S. mail, fax, dial up, or email.
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6. What box do I click on for a property search? |
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Depending on what type of property search you need, you can select the product from the drop down feature on the website.
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7. Why did I not receive a confirmation number? |
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After you place an order, click on "send confirmation" and you will receive one. If you place your order by fax or call it in, a confirmation report will be sent to you the following morning via fax.
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8. How much do searches cost? |
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Prices vary from state to state and from county to county.
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9. What is your coverage area for searches? |
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Please contact your sales rep for specifics as to what counties we cover for the area you are requesting. We can cover just about anywhere.
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10. What is the turnaround time for searches per area? |
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The turnaround time varies depending on what area, but primary coverage area is 24-48 hours.
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| Appraisals
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1. How do I know the status of the appraisal? |
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You can check your online status of the appraisal to see if the borrower was contacted or not contacted for the phone interview, when the maket value was sent, when the hard copy was sent, and if any problems occured.
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2. What type of appraisal service does SearchTec provide? |
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SearchTec provides quick and accurate appraisals and evaluations through our analysts and licensed appraisers, who are all prepared to conduct inspections and appraisals that comply fully with federal regulations.
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3. What types of products does SearchTec Appraisals have? |
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Products include: Desktop Appraisal, PVR, Freddie Mac 704/Exterior, Freddie Mac 704/Interior, 2055 Exterior, 2055 Interior, and URAR 1004.
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4. How can appraisals be ordered? |
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Appraisals can be ordered via internet, fax, or phone. We send you a "preliminary value sheet", as soon as the subject is evaluated. Then the report is written up, goes to typing, and the hard-copy is forwarded to you.
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5. What are the main coverage areas for appraisals? |
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The main areas are the 5 county PA area, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester in NJ, and New Castle in DE.
We do appraisals for all other parts of the tri-state area, (and limited counties in MD) but it is based on a case-by-case situation.
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| Witness Closings
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1. What types of mortgage loan settlements does SearchTec Witness Closings perform? |
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We can close loans for both the purchase and refinance of primary, second home and investments properties, as well as Home Equity Loans or Lines of Credit.
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2. What information does SearchTec need from the lender in order to schedule a Witness Closing? |
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We need an order from the lender, property report or title search (verification of any paid mortgages and/or judgments), copy of Homeowners Insurance, payoff(s) statements, original Subordination Agreements and/or Power of Attorney if appropriate.
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3. Does the Witness Closings offer loan closings in the client’s home or office? |
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Yes we can close loans in the customer’s home or office.
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4. What if the customer lives outside the area, can the closing be done by mail? |
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Yes we can mail the loan closing package to the customer, and the customer can sign the loan documents in front of a local notary.
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5. What type of identification does the customer need for my loan closing? |
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All signers must have government issued current photo identification. Driver’s License, Non-Driver’s License or USA Passport are the most common ID’s.
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6. Does the customer need to bring a certified check, bank check or money order to my closing? |
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We can accept a personal check up to $1,000.; for any amount over $1,000. a certified check, bank check or money order is required.
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7. How long will my loan closing usually take? |
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Approximately 30 to 60 minutes provided all the information is correct.
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| Recordings
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1. Where is SearchTec located? |
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Corporate Office:
211 North 13th Street, Suite 600;
Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Carolina Offices:
2 Office Park Court, Suite 103
Columbia, SC 29223. .
4208 Six Forks Rd, Bldg 1,Suite 309
Raleigh, NC 27609
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2. What is a legal description? |
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A legal description is the actual metes and bounds of the property. It can be found on the deed. It usually starts out with "All that certain lot" and ends with the address.
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3. Do I need a legal description to record my mortgage? |
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No, a legal description is only required in the city of Philadelphia.
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4. Do I need a R.I.S. form? |
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You only need a R.I.S. form when you are recording in the city of Philadelphia.
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5. How do I find out the recording fees? |
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You can contact SearchTec's recording department and they will be happy to send you an updated fee schedule.
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6. How long does it take to receive my recorded document back? |
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The usual turn around time is 3-4 months to receive the actual recorded document. It has been longer than 4 months from time to time, so please check with the recording staff to check the status.
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7. Can I satisfy my mortgage in New Jersey in the same way I can can in PA? |
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Every state is different. If you are not sure what forms to use, contact the individual county and check to see the forms needed.
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| Corporate Services
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1. What supporting documents do you need to qualify in SC/NC? |
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We need a Good Standing Certificate from a domestic state that is not over 30 days old.
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2. Do you have corporate filing forms? |
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Yes
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3. How much are the statutory fees? |
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The statutory fees vary depending on what type document you are filing - a list of filing fees appears on the state websites or you can call the office for the information.
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4. Is expedite service available and what are the fees? |
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There is expedite service for NC but not SC. SC evidence of filing is received on the same day; NC has several types of expedite service & fees vary depending on service chosen.
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5. What is the turn around time for corporate filings? |
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Filings are filed same day if we receive them before late afternoon. Evidence must be received the same day for SC filings & three to five days NC (expedite service is available in NC).
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| Process of Service
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1. What are your fees for service? |
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The fees vary from county to county. Please contact us for more information.
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2. What jurisdictions do you cover? |
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We cover every jurisdiction in SC and we also serve nationwide with our nationwide network of correspondents.
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3. Do you charge for extra mileage? |
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No
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4. Do you charge extra for multiple services at same address? |
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Yes - $10 per additional paper
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5. Do you charge extra for Affidavit of Service preparation and notary signature? |
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No
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| County Lien Searches & State Level Lien Searches
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1. What jurisdictions do you cover? |
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Every jurisdiction (county, state and federal) in North & South Carolina with our on-staff abstractors. Every jurisdiction nationwide with our nationwide network of correspondents.
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2. Do you conduct all lien searches at the county level? |
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Yes - if it's public record, we can do it!
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3. What are your fees for county lien searches? |
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$30.00 per name per jurisdiction minimum - additional indexes are more. Please contact your NC or SC representative for more information.
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4. What are your fees for state lien searches? |
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$15.00 per name per jurisdiction. Please contact your NC or SC representative for more information.
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5. Do you offer bulk rates on lien searches? |
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Yes - we offer bulk rates for large orders and/or high volume clients.
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6. Do you charge expedite fees at the county and/or state level for lien searches? |
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No - We try to accommodate our clients.
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