01/11/2025
If you EVER plan on buying a home, PLEASE read.
In 2022, we purchased a home and recently started the process to sell it. We chose Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, after interviewing 5 agents, believing their reputation and expertise would ensure we were in good hands.
We couldn’t have been more wrong.
During the resale process, a HUGE lien was discovered, throwing us into financial and emotional chaos. The professionals we hired to guide us didn’t fulfill their responsibilities. I made mistakes—I didn’t know to hire my own title attorney. When I reviewed old real estate transactions and saw only one attorney—the buyer’s—I didn’t push for one. But those I trusted failed us too.
In the midst of this colossal mess, we find out that the title buyers title attorney represents the lenders as well. ALL reasonable resolutions offered by the title company are rejected by our potential buyers and lender. This is apparently not a conflict of interest.
The truth is, a trusted name, 20+ years of experience, and a big reputation don’t seem to mean anything anymore. In fact after trying to reach them I was truly put off and realized how dumb I was.
We were extraordinarily blessed that a nearly (or maybe actually) 🙂 two decades-long friendship with Misty Yearwood Severs protected us. ♥️ Misty arranged for us to purchase an Owner’s Title Policy, which saved us from total ruin. Without it, we would have lost everything.
I don’t want anyone to go through what we did, so here’s my advice:
1. Pay the $250 for your own title attorney. It’s worth every penny.
2. Find a realtor you truly trust. Trust goes deeper than experience or a big name.
3. Alway buy the Owner’s Title Policy. It cost us $800 and was the one thing that saved us.
Agents, lenders, and attorneys—even with names like Coldwell Banker Real Estate—don’t always have your back. Protect yourself. Ask hard questions.
