By Nathan Johnson, Broker at G Stiles Realty
We’ve been working with property here in Roseburg for decades, and one thing that has never changed is how important title companies are. Real estate can be complicated. Records get lost, property lines can be unclear, and sometimes there are legal rights tied to the land that you won’t know about until it’s too late. A title company is there to sort all of that out.
Most of the time we use a local title company here in Roseburg. They know the county, they know the land, and they know how the records are kept. But if there’s a reason to use a title company outside of Roseburg, that’s an option too. What matters is that the title company makes sure the buyer and seller both know exactly what’s being sold.
What a Title Company Does
A title company’s job is to look into the history of a property and make sure everything is clear for the sale. They’ll check who owns it, if there are any easements, and if there are any problems that might slow down or even block a sale. Over the years, we’ve seen situations where people tried to sell land only to find out later they didn’t have clear legal access to it. That can turn into a costly mess. A title company prevents that from happening.
They also act as the middle point in the transaction. If there are questions about ownership, property rights, or past records, the title company works to get answers. That way buyers don’t end up with surprises after closing, and sellers don’t end up with deals falling apart halfway through.
Getting Started with a Title Company
It doesn’t take much to get a title company involved. All you need is the property’s tax ID number. From there, they can pull up a surprising amount of information. We’ve had them bring out maps, aerial photos, and even soil information that showed how the land was laid out. They can also tell you who’s owned the property in the past and whether any rights have been granted to others.
We always recommend reaching out to a title company before putting a property on the market. That way you know exactly what you’re selling, and if there are questions or problems, you can deal with them before a buyer comes along.
Why Local Title Companies Are Trusted in Roseburg
Here in Roseburg, the title companies know the area. They’ve been working with Douglas County records for years. They know how the properties are laid out, and they understand the common issues that pop up in our part of Oregon. That kind of local knowledge makes a difference. When you’ve got people who have worked these same records year after year, you can trust that they’ll catch the things that matter.
That’s not to say you have to use a local Roseburg title company. If a buyer or seller has a preference, it can always be negotiated. Sometimes investors who own property in different parts of Oregon prefer to stick with one title company they’ve used before. Other times a buyer might want to use someone they trust from another area. That’s fine. But for most of us here, a Roseburg title company is the first choice because they know our land and our community.
What Happens If You Skip the Title Company
Over the years, we’ve heard stories about folks trying to save a little money by skipping the title company or not taking their role seriously. It rarely ends well. One buyer purchased property and later learned there was no legal road access. The only way to use it was to pay a neighbor thousands of dollars to gain access. That kind of problem doesn’t show up on a simple handshake deal. A title company would have found it before the sale went through.
That’s why we always tell people: don’t think of the title company as just another fee at closing. They’re your protection. They’re the ones making sure what you’re buying or selling is exactly what you think it is.
How a Title Company Protects Buyers and Sellers
For buyers, the protection is clear. You don’t want to spend your savings on land or a house only to learn later that you don’t really own what you thought you did. The title company checks all the records and makes sure the seller truly has the right to sell. They confirm access, they check easements, and they make sure no one else has claims that could cause trouble later.
For sellers, the benefit is knowing the property is ready to sell. We’ve seen cases where sellers thought they owned property free and clear, but the title company found old easements or mistakes in the records. By catching those problems early, the seller could fix them before a buyer came along. That makes the whole process smoother and avoids losing a sale at the last minute.
Why Experience Matters
When you’ve been around as long as we have, you learn that the basics never change. People want to know they’re buying and selling safely. That’s what a title company provides. Whether it’s here in Roseburg or somewhere else in Oregon, they serve the same purpose: making sure everyone knows what’s on the table and that the deal is solid.
Final Word
A title company isn’t just part of the paperwork. They’re a safeguard that protects both sides in a real estate deal. Here in Roseburg, we’re lucky to have title companies that know our land, our records, and our people. And if there’s ever a reason to use one outside the area, that can work too.
After fifty years in this business, we can say with confidence that using a title company is one of the smartest choices you can make in real estate. They help buyers avoid costly mistakes, they help sellers present their property clearly, and they keep the whole process honest. At the end of the day, that’s worth more than the fee you pay. It’s peace of mind, and that’s what keeps real estate moving forward in our community.
