REALTORS & LENDERS

What to expect…

Whether your clients are buying a home or selling a home, the real estate process can be emotional and stressful. Our goal is to guide you and your clients through the process, educate you both as to their options and make every effort to assure that everything occurs smoothly.

HERE IS HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

Click each of the stages to learn more!

BEFORE THE CLOSING
We will conduct a Title Search on the property, issue Title Insurance and other items related to closing.

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CLOSING DAY
We will either meet at our office in Stratham, NH or another location more convenient for you and your client to sign the closing papers and obtain the keys.

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AFTER THE CLOSING
It's time to celebrate! To help ensure a smooth transition for your client we put together a list of things to do once they close.

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Before the closing.

Once you or your client reach out to us via a phone call or through the form at the bottom of this page, our staff will reach out to him or her to start gathering information. The initial form we will need your client to complete can be accessed here: Buyer | Seller. Completed forms can be emailed to kdavis@gallotitle.com.

We will conduct a Title Search to ensure the seller is the rightful owner of the property and there are no liens against the property.

If your client is obtaining a loan to buy their home, their lender will require that you purchase Lender’s Title Insurance. This insurance protects the lender’s investment, but it provides no protection for your client or their investment. Be sure to ask tell them about a Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance.

An Owner’s Policy is their assurance that the home they are buying is protected from any title problems now or down the road. Title claims can include:

outstanding mortgages and judgments, or a lien against the property because the seller has not paid his taxes
pending legal action against the property that could affect you
an unknown heir of a previous owner who is claiming ownership of the property

Once the property is cleared and their financing is secured, we will coordinate a date for their closing and notify you.

Closing day.

On the day of the closing, we can either sign papers at our office in Stratham, NH or at a location more convenient to you and your clients. No matter where we meet, you will want to remind your clients to bring these items when they close:

A valid ID (their license, U.S. ID card or passport)
Proof of homeowners insurance if the homeowner's insurance binder was not provided already
Cashier's check to pay for any closing costs if they haven't already wired in the funds

Don’t worry though - If you work with us to handle your closing, we’ll make sure to keep you and your client updated during the process!

After the closing.

We will record the sale and purchase in the official county records. The original deed to your client’s home will be mailed directly to them, generally within four to six weeks. Remind your clients to keep all records pertaining to your home together in a safe place, including all purchase documents, insurance, maintenance, and improvements.

Here are other things for them to do following their closing:

Keep any closing documents in a safe place
Change the locks to ensure security
Contact local utility providers to make arrangements for electric, gas, water, photo, cable, etc
Change address with their local post office
Update their driver's license and auto registration

2026 Update for Realtors: Federal Reporting and Compliance

In 2026, federal anti-money laundering requirements continue to place increased emphasis on transparency in certain real estate transactions.

Beginning in 2026, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will require additional reporting for certain non-financed residential real estate transactions involving legal entities or trusts. These requirements are designed to help reduce fraud and financial crime in real estate.

In practice, some transactions may require additional buyer or entity information earlier in the process. For certain LLC or trust purchases without traditional financing, information on beneficial ownership or controlling persons may need to be collected. These steps are compliance-driven and are not discretionary.

For realtors, this means it is helpful to encourage buyers to use an LLC or trust and to prepare entity documentation early. Non-financed or privately financed transactions should be flagged as early as possible to coordinate the required steps in advance. Setting expectations with clients that verification steps are normal can help prevent last-minute delays.

Our team stays current with applicable requirements and handles these steps efficiently, keeping deals on track and supporting clients.