Quick Answer
Send the complete executed contract with all addenda and assignments, accurate party information, entity documents (formation, operating agreement, resolution), full lender or funding details, a clear description of the transaction structure, and any known title or ownership issues upfront.
Every day counts in an investor transaction. Sending the right documents when opening title eliminates back-and-forth requests and keeps the process moving. Here is a checklist of what investors should provide when opening an order.
Send Everything Together
- Complete executed contract: Every page, including all addenda, amendments, and exhibits. Do not send just the signature page.
- Assignments: If the contract has been assigned, send the assignment document. If there have been multiple assignments, include the full chain.
- Accurate party information: Full legal names for all buyers, sellers, and entities. Avoid nicknames, abbreviations, or inconsistent spellings.
- Entity documents: Formation documents, operating agreement, certificate of good standing, and a resolution or authorization showing who can sign for the entity. For more on entity requirements, see buying investment property through an LLC.
- Lender or funding details: Contact information for the lender or funding source. If using transactional funding, include those details. If using hard or private money, provide the lender's contact and confirm what documentation they require.
- Transaction structure: Be clear about whether this is an assignment, a double closing, an owner-financed deal, a subject-to transaction, or another structure. The title company needs to understand the structure to prepare the right documentation and fund flow.
- Known issues: If you know about any title problems, ownership questions, liens, or other issues, disclose them early. Early disclosure gives the title team time to evaluate and address issues before the closing deadline.
Tell Title What You Are Actually Doing
A common mistake investors make is describing the transaction in generic terms without disclosing the actual structure. If you are assigning the contract, say so. If you are doing a double closing, explain it. The title company is not there to judge the transaction; it needs accurate information to do its job correctly. Hiding the structure or describing it vaguely risks confusion, delays, or a rejected file when the true structure becomes apparent later. For more on disclosing structure, read how investors should choose a title company.