Real Estate Closings in New Orleans & Southeast Louisiana
Louisiana's trusted closing service since 1978. Over 50,000 closings completed across five Greater New Orleans locations.
What We Handle
From your first home purchase to a multi-million-dollar commercial deal, Southern Title provides full-service closing support for every type of real estate transaction in Louisiana.
Residential Purchases
First-time buyers, move-up buyers, investment properties -- we handle closings for single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and multi-family residences across Southeast Louisiana.
Residential Sales
Seller-side closings with payoff coordination, lien release tracking, and document preparation to ensure a smooth transfer of ownership.
Refinances
Rate-and-term refinances, cash-out refinances, and HELOC closings. We work directly with your lender to streamline the process.
Commercial Closings
Multi-family, retail, industrial, and mixed-use transactions. Our commercial team handles complex deals with multiple parties and entities.
New Construction
Builder closings with lot purchase, construction loan, and permanent financing coordination. We understand the unique requirements of new construction transactions.
The Louisiana Closing Process: Contract to Keys
Every closing follows a predictable sequence. Here is what happens between signing the purchase agreement and getting the keys to your new property -- and what Southern Title handles at each step.
Purchase Agreement Executed
Once buyer and seller sign the purchase agreement, a title order is opened with Southern Title. We receive a copy of the contract and begin coordinating with the lender, agents, and attorneys involved in the transaction.
Southern Title assigns a closer to your file and provides an estimated closing timeline. If you are paying cash, the process moves faster because there is no lender underwriting step.
Title Search & Examination
Our abstractors search parish conveyance, mortgage, and judgment records to build a complete chain of title. In Louisiana, this also means checking for community property claims, open successions, and civil-law-specific encumbrances that do not exist in common-law states.
We search records at the parish clerk of court, the assessor's office, and other public record sources. The title examiner reviews every recorded document affecting the property going back to its patent or original grant.
Title Commitment Issued
After the title search, Southern Title issues a title commitment -- a document outlining the conditions under which we will insure the title. The commitment lists requirements (like paying off existing liens) and any exceptions to coverage.
Both the buyer and the lender receive the commitment. If title issues are found, this is when they are disclosed so they can be resolved before closing.
Title Clearance & Issue Resolution
If the title search reveals problems -- unpaid property taxes, unreleased mortgages, open successions, judgment liens, or boundary disputes -- our team works to clear them before closing day.
Common Louisiana-specific issues include interrupted successions (where a deceased owner's heirs never completed the legal process to transfer title), community property claims from a prior marriage, and old vendor's liens that were never canceled of record.
Closing Package Preparation
We prepare all closing documents, coordinate with the lender for final loan documents, and calculate the settlement statement (also called the closing disclosure or HUD-1 for certain transactions). Every dollar in and out of the transaction is accounted for.
Your closer reviews the figures with you before closing day so there are no surprises at the table. Wiring instructions are provided securely -- always verify them by phone before sending funds.
The Closing
All parties meet at one of our five Greater New Orleans offices to sign documents, exchange funds, and transfer ownership. In Louisiana, the act of sale must be signed before a notary public.
Residential closings typically take 30 to 60 minutes. Your closer walks you through every document, explains what you are signing, and answers any questions.
Recording & Disbursement
After signing, Southern Title records the deed, mortgage, and other recordable documents with the parish clerk of court. Funds are disbursed to the seller, agents, lender, and other parties according to the settlement statement.
Recording makes the transfer of ownership a matter of public record. Title insurance policies are issued after recording is confirmed.
What Southern Title Handles at Every Closing
Common Buyer Questions
What Should I Bring to Closing?
- •Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- •Certified or cashier's check if your closer has not arranged a wire transfer
- •If married, your spouse may need to attend even if they are not on the loan
- •Any documents your closer or lender has requested (insurance binder, survey, etc.)
How Long Does Closing Take?
The signing appointment itself typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for a residential purchase. The full timeline from executed purchase agreement to closing day is usually 30 to 45 days, though cash transactions can close in as little as 7 to 10 days if the title is clear.
Commercial transactions and deals with title issues may take longer. Your closer will keep you informed of the timeline throughout the process.
What Can Go Wrong?
The most common issues that can delay or complicate a closing:
- •Title issues -- unreleased mortgages, open successions, tax liens, or judgment liens discovered during the title search
- •Lender delays -- last-minute underwriting conditions, appraisal disputes, or missing documentation
- •Survey problems -- encroachments, boundary disputes, or improvements built outside property lines
- •Wire fraud attempts -- always verify wiring instructions by calling our office directly at 504-367-2333
Orleans Parish Specific Notes
Closings in Orleans Parish have a few unique characteristics:
- •Documentary stamp taxes are due on both the act of sale and the mortgage at the time of recording
- •The Orleans Parish Assessor's Office may require additional documentation for homestead exemption applications
- •Recording wait times can vary; Southern Title monitors the status and notifies you when documents are recorded
- •Properties in certain Orleans Parish neighborhoods may require additional inspections or certifications (e.g., historic district or flood zone)
Why Choose Southern Title
50,000+ Closings
Decades of experience mean fewer surprises and faster closings. Our team has seen every scenario Louisiana real estate can throw at you.
5 Convenient Locations
Harvey, Metairie, Mid-City, New Orleans East, and Boutte. Close where it is most convenient for you.
ALTA Best Practices
We follow the American Land Title Association's Best Practices framework for consumer protection, data security, and professional standards.
Louisiana Expertise
Louisiana's civil law system, community property rules, and succession laws require closers who know the state inside and out. That is us.
Estimate Your Closing Costs
Use our free closing cost calculator to get a detailed estimate of title insurance, recording fees, transfer taxes, and other costs for your Louisiana real estate transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a typical closing take?+
What should I bring to closing?+
Can I close at any Southern Title location?+
Do you handle commercial closings?+
What is a title search and why does it matter?+
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Are there transfer taxes in Orleans Parish?+
Ready to Open a Title Order?
Start your closing with Southern Title today. Submit your order online and our team will take it from there.