From the American Land Title Association August 11, 2025
It’s easy to look at real estate through the lens of numbers—interest rates, homes sold, closing costs and days to fund. But every now and then, a closing reminds us that what we do is so much more than just paperwork. Every file, every deed, every policy connects to something bigger: the pursuit of home, of belonging, of a future.
Two recent stories from within the title industry make that truth unmistakably clear—and offer a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
Tina Merritt, business development manager for Premier Title of Virginia in Blacksburg, Va., shared how a closing brought a few happy tears. The buyer was a state employee earning around $40,000 annually, purchasing a modest $155,000 home with an FHA loan and grant assistance from a local program supporting first-time homebuyers. On paper, it looked like a standard transaction.
But when the buyer sat down at the closing table, the moment shifted. He became emotional as he explained that no one in his family had ever owned a home. Growing up, he and his mother had moved often, living wherever they could find temporary shelter. Now, as he signed the final documents, he wasn’t just purchasing property—he was rewriting his family’s story.
"That day, he was changing that story—bringing stability to his own life and creating an opportunity to build something lasting for future generations,” Merritt said. “It’s a reminder that every closing tells a deeper story, and your work as title professionals isn’t just about protecting property rights—it’s about helping people achieve something once thought to be out of reach. You help make homeownership possible, and for that, you should be proud.”
Janis Gaines, executive director of Real Estate Closing Path, tells another story—one that’s equal parts heartwarming and unforgettable. Her office handled the closing for a pair of first-time homebuyers in their 70s. The husband had just retired. The wife worked nights as a security guard in downtown Atlanta. They preferred personal contact over digital communication, and throughout the process, they made frequent visits to the office—always bringing watermelon for the staff.
When the appraisal photos came through, Gaines—a self-proclaimed “Christmas fanatic”—noticed the home’s classic A-frame style with big front windows. “I thought, ‘That would be the perfect spot for a giant Christmas tree!’” she told the buyers.
The couple lit up with decorating ideas and couldn’t wait to make their holiday dreams a reality. The deal closed, and life moved on—until five months later, when the pair returned to the office unannounced. The wife reached into her purse, pulled out an envelope, and revealed printed photos of their decorated home—including a glowing Christmas tree exactly where they had envisioned it.
In both cases, it wasn’t just about clearing title defects or ensuring lien priority. It was about people. It was about their dreams, their futures, their sense of identity.
These aren’t isolated moments. They happen every day—in big cities and small towns, with first-time buyers and retirees, in single closings and in family legacies.
As Gaines put it, “My personal ‘why’ has always been the people. Your ‘why’ may be something else—but when you identify your professional purpose, you gain perspective and energy.”
The underwriting, the clear communication, the fraud prevention—it all matters. But so does the empathy. The encouragement. The awareness that your work doesn’t end at the closing table—it begins there, as part of someone else’s milestone.
What we’re really doing in this industry is helping people move forward. Sometimes, that’s a young man breaking generational cycles. Other times, it’s a retired couple celebrating their first holiday tree in their first home. So, the next time you’re buried in a stack of documents or chasing down a payoff, don’t underestimate that you’re an important part of someone’s story.
That’s more than enough reason to be proud of what we do.
We at Vested Land Services LLC view ourselves as problem solvers. We never say "you''ve got a problem." We say, "let''s see how we fix the problem."
Stephen M. Flatow
#homebuyers #mortgage #refinance #firsttimehomebuyer
