Topic Realtor Resources
Jan 28, 2025
Simple Resolutions Real Estate Agents Can Make in 2025
Start the new year strong with practical resolutions that can help you grow your real estate business, serve clients better, and maintain work-life balance.
Dec 17, 2024
Best Practices for Estate Property Transactions
Transactions involving estate properties can be complicated. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and keep your transaction on track with our guide.
Dec 16, 2024
Title and Closing Questions You're Too Embarrassed to Ask
It’s normal to have questions about the title and closing process - even if you’ve been in the industry for a while. Get answers to common some common questions.
Dec 03, 2024
Escrow in Real Estate Transactions: The Basics
Learn how escrow protects your real estate transactions through secure fund management, fraud prevention, and timely disbursement.
Nov 11, 2024
Six Communication Tips for Better Closings
Learn how to prevent closing delays and create better experiences for your clients with these six practical communication tips for real estate professionals.
Jul 30, 2024
How to Handle Surprises on Closing Day
Closing day surprises such as property issues and missing documents can derail your closing. Check out our guide for tips on handling common closing day problems.
Jul 08, 2024
Tips for On-Time Real Estate Closings
One of the most common questions we get is, “How quickly can we close?” The answer is: it depends.
Elizabeth Cusimano, a title expert at South Oak Title in…
Jun 25, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Surveys
Got questions about surveys? Learn when surveys are needed in real estate transactions, their role, and how they impact title insurance and closing processes.
May 14, 2024
Why Every Realtor Needs a Title & Closing Partner
Partnering with a title and closing company may be your secret weapon for better serving your clients. Learn more about these benefits.
Mar 04, 2024
Best Practices for Even Better Closings
Everyone wants to have an outstanding closing experience, but not every agent knows how to do this. Our guide lets you in on some best practices for better closings.
Feb 14, 2024
10 Steps from Contract to Closing Day
Wouldn’t it be great if you could close on a home instantly? But a lot has to happen behind the scenes to close a home sale. Learn more in our helpful guide.
Nov 01, 2023
Notary Basics
We prioritize knowledge and expertise to ensure exceptional service in every transaction. A crucial aspect of this is understanding the foundations of notary…
Sep 21, 2023
Preventing Seller Impersonation Fraud
It can be difficult to keep up with industry trends and new types of fraud. Check out our guide to seller impersonation fraud to protect yourself and your clients.
Sep 04, 2023
Ordering a Preliminary Title Report
Got a complicated listing? A preliminary title report may be the tool you need to prevent closing delays and improve your client’s experience.
Aug 24, 2023
Your Guide to Earnest Money Deposits
Discover the benefits of digital earnest money deposits for realtors and homebuyers, ensuring smoother and stress-free closings with our comprehensive guide.
Jul 17, 2023
Avoid These 6 Mistakes Before Closing
Closing delays are stressful and frustrating. But some delays are avoidable. Help your clients close on time by educating them on these six common closing mistakes.
Jun 19, 2023
Reading and Understanding the Closing Disclosure
It’s easy to get bogged down in paperwork at closing, but the closing disclosure is one closing document you and your clients should never ignore. Learn more.
May 26, 2023
FAQ About Closing Costs
How much do you really know about closing costs? To clear up the confusion, Michelle Earle answers some of our most common questions about closing costs in Alabama.
Apr 20, 2023
How to Choose a Title Company
Because a title company is a key part of your real estate transactions, you need to choose one that’s going to serve your clients well. Do you know what to look for?
Mar 08, 2023
How to Grow as a Realtor with Training and Systems
Looking to grow both personally and professionally as a realtor? Birmingham realtor Leigh Cound shares her thoughts on training, systems, and habits for growth.
Feb 27, 2023
Looking to Better Serve Your Clients? Try These Simple Strategies.
Don’t let the slower market get you down. Now is the perfect time to work on improving your service to clients. Birmingham realtor David Mackle shares his tips.
Feb 07, 2023
Closing Documents 101
Have you ever wondered what's really in all of those closing documents? Haley Taylor, Closing Processor at South Oak, explains everything you need to know.
Nov 18, 2022
Everything You Need to Know About Closing at South Oak
Got questions about an upcoming closing? We've designed a helpful guide to closing at South Oak for realtors and their clients to keep closing day stress-free.
Sep 27, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions about Qualia
With any new technology, there are going to be questions. We’re tackling the most common questions about Qualia to make your user experience even better.
Jun 27, 2022
Your Guide to REO Properties in Alabama
REO properties are on the rise in Alabama after the moratorium on foreclosures was lifted last fall. Refresh your knowledge with our guide to bank-owned homes.
May 26, 2022
Maybe It's Time to Start Your Own Real Estate Team
Do you have what it takes to start a real estate team? Check out our guide to starting your own team to see if it's time to make that leap.
May 05, 2022
Essential Questions to Ask Before Joining a Real Estate Team
Think joining a real estate team is the right move for you? Before joining, you need to ask yourself and your prospective team several essential questions.
Apr 18, 2022
Is a Real Estate Team Right for You?
Joining a real estate team might have huge benefits for your business as a realtor. We're discussing seven ways joining a team might help you out.
Dec 15, 2021
Surprising Advantages to Using a Title & Closing Company
While it may seem logical to keep title and closing separate, there are actually several advantages to having your title and closing company in the same place.
Sep 15, 2021
A Realtor's Guide to Owner's Title Insurance
Title insurance options can be confusing, so we've put together a guide to help realtors better understand their client’s options for standard and enhanced owner's policies.
Aug 09, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions about Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a simple way to close on time when a homeowner can’t be at closing. Check out our FAQ for using a POA at your real estate closing.
Jul 22, 2021
Want a more enjoyable closing day? Try these four tips.
As a realtor, there are things you can do to make closing day more enjoyable. Read more to discover our four tips for a better closing experience.
Jul 05, 2021
Flexible closing options at South Oak
Curious about our closing options at South Oak? We offer video closings, mail-away closings, drive-by closings, and travel closings for your convenience.
May 27, 2021
Simple habits for smoother closings
Smooth closings don't happen by accident. But with a few simple habits, you can set yourself for smooth closings, even with the most complicated title situations.
May 13, 2021
Top 10 real estate deal killers (and what you can do to avoid them)
Everyone wants a smooth, on-time closing that’s free of surprises. Do you know the top ten real estate deal killers - and what you can do to prevent them?
Aug 15, 2017
5 Rules Your Buyers Should Follow: They’ll Thank You For It
Buying a house is a huge financial undertaking. It is the largest investment most of us will ever make, which means small differences in how your buyers deal…
Jan 25, 2017
Selecting a Real Estate Office to Work For: 4 Considerations
When choosing a real estate office to join, finding a brokerage that aligns with your goals is important. There are many great real estate offices, each with…
Nov 09, 2016
Protecting Non-Public Personal Information
When you hear the word, cybersecurity, you might immediately think of huge catastrophes that affected hundreds or thousands of people; however, cybersecurity…
Oct 18, 2016
Why Negotiation Skills Matter
Negotiations is the number one, identified skill consumers are looking for in realtors! What we learn from that knowledge is the ability to successfully…
Sep 06, 2016
Choosing the Right Closing Date Can Make a Difference
Your clients are planning to close by the end of the month; but delays have put it in jeopardy. You are now in a bind to find a new closing table. Does this…
Nov 25, 2013
TILA-RESPA Final Rule - How It Impacts You
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released the new TILA-RESPA final rule. This rule provides easier to use forms and consumer friendly…