Drive Up Experience – A New Way to Close Escrow

There’s a first time for everything. Today, I experienced my first “drive-up” escrow closing. That’s right – a drive-up closing experience. We went to escrow to sign closing papers, but this was different than any other experience I’ve had over the last 40 years. Normally, I meet my clients at the escrow company’s office. We sit down. We go over the documents. An escrow officer is present and available to answer questions and to notarize documents. It’s how we’ve been doing it for years.

Drive Up Closing During COVID-19

Are you wondering how it worked today? During COVID-19? I can assure you that it worked really well.

We have to give kudos to Title Guaranty. They made all the arrangements. Most of the closing documents were sent digitally ahead of time for signing. No problem. Easy. But, there was one document that required a wet, notarized signature – the deed.

So, here’s how it worked. We made an appointment and drove to town. We pulled into the parking garage of Title Guaranty and parked in the customer-experience stall as instructed. Once parked, we called the office upstairs. Within minutes, an escrow officer showed up with documents in hand. He was well-equipped and gave us new pens, safely enclosed in sealed envelopes. We were provided pre-packaged, sanitized hand wipes, too. The escrow officer wore a mask and kept his distance. The deed was signed, and after the presentation of driver’s licenses, notarized. Done. Super fast. Very efficient.

We teased that the only thing missing were the snacks. Maybe next time? If I know Title Guaranty, that may be their next move to improve the customer experience. For now, we at least got to keep the pens 🙂 It was a thoroughly satisfying experience, and did I mention, efficient?

A big mahalo to all of our escrow companies who are paving the way for us to meet the requirements of our transactions with the utmost safety of our clients in mind!