Hillsborough County Property Appraiser hosted a Coffee with the Coach session featuring Ashley Wait-Woodcock, who provided a practical overview of the real estate transaction from contract to closing. She highlighted the role of the title agent as the transaction quarterback—serving as investigator, communicator, and problem solver while coordinating with underwriters, buyers, sellers, lenders, surveyors, and attorneys.

Ashley discussed the two types of title insurance—owner’s and lender’s policies—and how title insurance acts as a safety net for issues that couldn’t be discovered during the title search. Common challenges include unreleased mortgages, easement disputes, boundary or survey issues, unpaid taxes or code enforcement liens, and unknown heirs or ownership claims.

She also simplified the closing process, emphasizing the importance of clear communication from contract execution through title search, due diligence, curing defects, closing, funding, and policy issuance. Ashley wrapped up by noting how real estate transactions often intersect with multiple areas of law, from estate planning and probate to tax and business law, underscoring how complex and interconnected the process can be. The session offered valuable insight for anyone involved in real estate, highlighting why knowledgeable professionals and proactive communication are essential from contract to closing.