Terri Rodish has been a real estate closing specialist with the Rogers Towers law firm in Ponte Vedra Beach for a year and a half.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I handle everything from getting the contract, inputting it into the computer and coordinating the closing. I work with the Realtor, lender and buyers and sellers to put it all together.”
BEFORE THE TITLE BUSINESS?
Before Rogers Towers, she was a loan closer with Wilson Lending Group. Before that she was in banking and worked at three different bank branches of SunTrust Bank in the beaches area as a financial services representative. “I handled new accounts, loans and financial planning for four years.” Before that she was a real estate agent with Prudential Network Realty and Magnolia Properties for four years. When her children were small, she was a stay-at-home mom and coordinated a homeless mission for the United Methodist Church called Action Ministry. “It taught me a lot about public speaking and recruiting.”
WHY DID YOU GET INTO THE TITLE BUSINESS?
“I like loans. I thought I just wanted to do loans and that’s why I ended up with Wilson Lending Group because I really like the lending part of it. But, once I got there, I got this opportunity. I also do business development for this office. That’s one of the reasons they hired me because they saw my background and knew that I had worked at the beaches, been in real estate and knew a lot of people.” The beaches office of Rogers Towers opened about a year and a half ago. “They hired me to kind of get this office started. It intrigued me to start something brand new.”
HOW HAS YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELPED?
Since she has had so much experience in various parts of real estate, Rodish said, it helps her to understand everyone involved in the closing better.
WHAT CAN REALTORS DO TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER?
“The main thing is that when the contract comes in that we have all the names correctly, the proper names of how they are going to take title. It’s very important because sometimes we will get nicknames or only one name, but if they are married both names have to be included in it. Just make sure the contract is accurate, dates are right and names are right. Also, it helps to make sure I have all the information I need like Social Security numbers and contact information.”
WHAT DO YOU DO TO ENSURE A SMOOTH CLOSING?
Rodish makes sure she has worked with everyone before the closing and that everyone has reviewed the closing statement beforehand so that there are no surprises. “The pre-work is really the primary thing in making sure the client has a smooth closing. I also give out my cell phone number so that the client can call me with any questions. By the time you get to the closing you almost feel like you know everyone so it’s comfortable.”
COMMON PROBLEMS AT CLOSINGS?
Rodish said the biggest problem she has run into is where a person doesn’t tell her he/she is married because they are separated or going through a divorce and in their mind not married. “But, the title will come back and I notice that they are in fact married.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TITLE BUSINESS?
“It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together. It’s fun to do the research and go back through the records. The analytical part of it is fun, but I really like working with the people. The most fun for me is at the closing table.”
HOW ARE REALTORS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are highly important because they bring us business. They also give us important information about the client when they bring us the contract. They’ve already met the client so they know things about them and they will tell me that this client is sensitive about this or here is the best way to reach them or don’t call them at the office and that sort of thing.”
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED FROM
A CO-WORKER?
“Take a deep breath when things get stressful.”
ADVICE FOR THOSE NEW TO THE TITLE BUSINESS?
“They should try to get in with someone who will teach them and mentor them how to do this job. I have some great people who have been doing this for 40 or 50 years and I’ve learned the most sitting with them, doing the closing and watching. It’s important to get in with someone who has the experience and is willing to teach you.” She also recommends taking as many courses as you can for title agents.
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I’ve learned a lot about the pitfalls of titles and what can go wrong. There are a lot of little things that can go wrong and that is why you need title insurance.”
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS?
Rodish is a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and the Ponte Vedra Chamber of Commerce.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis