Refinance services

Refinancing can help you obtain a new interest rate or loan term, reduce a monthly payment, access available equity, consolidate eligible obligations, or restructure financing for a residential, commercial, or investment property.

Although ownership may not be changing, a refinance still requires updated title work, lender coordination, document preparation, payoff verification, settlement services, and the issuance of a new lender’s title insurance policy.

Citizens Title Agency coordinates the title and closing process with property owners, lenders, mortgage professionals, attorneys, associations, municipalities, and other parties to help deliver an accurate and well-organized refinance closing.

A reissue credit may reduce the title insurance premium for an eligible refinance transaction when acceptable evidence of prior title insurance coverage is available.

Eligibility depends on the prior policy, property, transaction, applicable rates, and underwriting requirements. To help determine whether you qualify, provide Citizens Title Agency with a copy of your prior owner’s title insurance policy as early as possible.

If you cannot locate the prior policy, contact us. Our team will review the available information and determine whether acceptable evidence of previous coverage may be obtained.

Citizens Title Agency assists with:

• Opening and reviewing the refinance file
• Coordinating with the lender and mortgage professional
• Conducting an updated property title search
• Examining the title and identifying lender requirements
• Identifying existing mortgages, judgments, liens, and other title matters
• Ordering mortgage and lien payoff statements
• Addressing unreleased mortgages or other title defects
• Coordinating municipal lien, permit, tax, and association information when required
• Reviewing applicable trust, estate, or business-entity documents
• Preparing or coordinating settlement and title documents
• Calculating title, settlement, recording, and payoff figures
• Coordinating execution of the lender’s closing package
• Collecting and safeguarding authorized transaction funds
• Paying off the existing mortgage and other approved obligations
• Recording the new mortgage and applicable documents
• Issuing the lender’s title insurance policy through our underwriters
• Completing applicable funding and post-closing requirements

A lender generally requires an updated title search and a new lender’s title insurance policy when refinancing a property. Since the original purchase or previous refinance, new matters may have affected the title, including:

• Mortgages or home-equity credit lines
• Judgments or tax liens
• Construction or contractor liens
• Association claims
• Ownership changes
• Divorce, probate, or estate matters
• Easements or restrictions
• Recording errors
• Fraudulent or unauthorized documents

The updated title search helps identify matters that must be resolved before the new lender’s mortgage can obtain the required lien position.

Citizens Title Agency obtains payoff information for mortgages and other obligations that must be satisfied through the refinance. Home-equity lines of credit may require additional written authorization or account-closing documentation. A zero balance alone may not terminate the credit line or release the associated mortgage. Please disclose all mortgages and credit lines affecting the property at the beginning of the transaction.

Depending on the lender’s requirements and the documents involved, Citizens Title Agency may coordinate:

• An in-office closing
• An approved off-site signing
• A mobile notary
• A mail-away closing
• An approved remote online notarization

Please let us know as early as possible if you require an alternative signing arrangement.

The timing of funding and disbursement depends on the type of property, loan, lender instructions, document requirements, and applicable law.

Certain refinances involving a borrower’s principal residence may be subject to a rescission period before the transaction can fund. Citizens Title Agency will coordinate funding and disbursement in accordance with the lender’s authorization and applicable requirements.

Citizens Title Agency has served clients since 2001. Our refinance clients benefit from:

• Experienced title and settlement professionals
• On-staff attorney support for applicable title matters
• Comprehensive title research and examination
• Timely attention to title-clearance requirements
• Secure escrow and disbursement procedures
• Responsive communication
• Flexible signing arrangements
• Accurate and reliable settlement coordination
• Service tailored to the specific transaction

Whether you are refinancing a home, condominium, commercial property, investment property, or vacant land, Citizens Title Agency is committed to providing a professional, responsive, and well-coordinated settlement experience.

Contact Citizens Title Agency to open your refinance file, determine whether you may qualify for a reissue credit, or schedule your closing.