Since 1978 Spears Title Company has provided a full range of land title and real estate closing services for the South Central Illinois area.
We are a non-affiliated independently operated authorized title agent of Fidelity National Title.
Serving Bond, Christian, Fayette, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Sangamon, and Shelby Counties.
A majority of our work historically has been in Macoupin County and Montgomery County due to having convenient physical closing locations in Carlinville, Litchfield, and Hillsboro Illinois.
However, due to popular demand and our philosophy of always putting the customer first, we have expanded our service area to the entire South Central Illinois region.
(Don't believe us? See what our Hillsboro, Litchfield and Carlinville customers have said).
Our offices have small town customer service centered values with modern touches such as remote hybrid esign closings for those that can't sign in person.
We do agricultural closings, commercial closings, residential closings, 1031 exchange closings, FSBO (For-Sale-By-Owner) Closings, and have seen it all!
Our pricing is very competitive and no one has more experience in South Central Illinois than we do! Please ask for us when selling, buying, or refinancing real estate. You’ll be glad you did!
Utilize the “contact us tab above” to get in touch today. All real estate questions are welcome! We know all the best LOCAL real estate banks, realtors, attorneys, surveyors, auctioneers, 1031 Agents, and city/county government contacts.
We are non-affiliated and know who is the best because we only serve South Central Illinois. Leverage our expertise to save you money and time.
Phone 217-532-3113
218 S. Main Street
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Fully Staffed Monday - Friday
8am - 4pm
Driving Directions to Hillsboro
Phone 217-854-3278
372 S. Side Square
Carlinville, IL 62626
Fully Staffed Monday - Friday
8am - 4pm
Driving Directions to Carlinville
Phone 217-250-9709
120 W Ryder Street
Litchfield, IL 62056
Staffed Wednesday or by appointment.
Available for Closings Monday - Friday
8am - 4pm.
Driving Directions to Litchfield
Hybrid esign Closing
A hybrid eSign closing in Illinois is a real estate closing process that combines traditional in-person signing with electronic signing of documents. In this method, certain documents that require notarization or wet signatures under Illinois law are signed in person with local notary public, while other non-critical documents are signed electronically using a secure platform. This approach streamlines the closing process, reducing time and paperwork while still complying with state legal requirements for real estate transactions.
Title Insurance for Owners and Lenders
Title insurance is a type of insurance that protects property buyers and mortgage lenders from financial losses due to defects in a property’s title, such as liens, encumbrances, or legal disputes over ownership. It ensures that the property’s title is clear and that the buyer has legal ownership. Unlike other types of insurance, which cover future risks, title insurance focuses on risks and claims from past events. Buyers typically pay a one-time premium at closing, and the policy remains in effect for as long as they or their heirs own the property.
Letter Search
A letter search from a title company is a focused investigation into the public records related to a specific property or individual. It is typically used to uncover specific details, such as outstanding liens, judgments, encumbrances, or other recorded claims that might affect the property or the individual’s ownership rights. Unlike a full title search, a letter search may target specific aspects of the title or a narrower scope of information, often requested for verification or legal purposes.
Ownership Report
An ownership report from a title company is a document that identifies the current owner of a property and outlines the history of ownership, along with any recorded liens, encumbrances, or claims affecting the title. It provides a summary of legal descriptions, easements, or other recorded interests, offering a snapshot of the property’s legal status. This report is typically used for informational purposes and does not include the protections of title insurance.
Insured Closing
An insured real estate closing is a transaction facilitated by a title company where title insurance is issued as part of the process. During this closing, the title company ensures that the title is clear of defects, liens, or encumbrances that could affect ownership rights. The issuance of title insurance provides financial protection to the buyer and lender (if applicable) against potential claims or disputes related to the property’s title. The title company typically handles document preparation, fund disbursement, and recording of documents, ensuring compliance with all legal and contractual requirements.
Non-Insured Closing
A non-insured closing by a title company refers to a real estate transaction where the company facilitates the closing process without issuing title insurance. This means the title company may handle tasks such as preparing and recording documents, disbursing funds, and coordinating with the parties involved, but it does not guarantee the title’s validity or provide protection against title defects. Non-insured closings are often used in transactions where the parties are confident in the title’s status or when title insurance is not required.
What Forms of ID are acceptable for my upcoming real estate closing?
Any non-expired picture ID issued by a government agency. Typically people bring in a Driver’s License or State ID. A passport or FOID card would work as well.
Who should checks be made payable to for my upcoming real estate closing and what forms of payment are acceptable?
All checks should be made payable to “Spears Title Company”. We will not accept personal checks over $500 the day of closing. Anything over $500 must be in the form of certified funds. Certified funds that are acceptable the same day as closing are cashiers checks (Up to $49,999) and wired funds (Unlimited). If you are wiring funds always call our office by looking up our phone number from a trusted 3rd party source to verify you are wiring funds to the correct account.
Do I need to come to one of your offices to complete my real estate closing?
Not if you don’t want to! We offer streamlined electronic signing closings and mail away closings. All you need is a valid email address in your name and internet access. You can electronically sign any closing documents that do not require notarization. Our office will send you all documents that would need to be witnessed by a local notary public. Then you can meet with local notary to sign the documents and send them back to our office. The process is simple and painless. We always suggest coming into one of our offices in person if it is feasible. Selling/Buying real estate is a big deal and we always want to give you the personal experience you deserve. However, we also understand distance and work schedules prevent this in certain situations.
Do you offer any discounts?
We most certainly do! We reward loyal repeat clients with a large “Re-Issue” rate discount if you meet certain criteria and have utilized our services in the last 10 years. Additionally, if a Owner’s Policy is being issued with a Lender’s Policy and said loan associated with the purchase is equal to or less than the purchase price the buyer will receive a flat $90 fee for the lender’s title insurance.
Who determines who does my real estate closing and title insurance?
The answer is always you! Never get bullied into using a title/closing agent. Many title/closing agents are not independent. Meaning they are owned by Realty Firms or Lenders who have a direct monetary interest in you using their title/closing agents. Always ask for an independently owned and operated title company like Spears Title. It ensures that your interests will truly be protected.
How long does it take to typically close a transaction?
If the deal involves a lender we say 45 days or less. (Due to appraisals and inspections) If it is a cash deal we say two weeks or less. For an additional fee we can insure a cash deal gets closed in a week or less barring any issues with our title search and commitment.
How does the process typically work with a purchase transaction?
1) We receive a purchase contract or title order with terms of transaction. (From Seller, Buyer, Realtor, Auctioneer, or Attorney)
2) We initiate a title search of the local public records to verify all recorded information about real estate on the title order.
3) We examine findings and type up a title commitment outlining what we found during our search of the public records.
4) This Title Commitment emailed out to all parties for approval.
5) If approved our office gets to work on creating closing statements based off of the commitment and purchase contract terms.
6) Real Estate Closing Statements are sent to parties for approval.
7) Closing funds are attained by Spears Title and the real estate closing takes place. Copies of closing documents given to all parties.
8) Our office records all required documents signed at closing with the local recorder’s office and pays for all expenses listed in the closing statements with funds received at closing.
9) We do an updated search of the public records the ensure title is clear and proper documents were recorded.
10) Within 45-60 days of the real estate closing the new owner and lender gets a copy of Owners/Lenders Title Policy showing updated ownership and lien status.