South Carolina is regarded as an “attorney state.” Most types of residential real estate transactions are considered the practice of law by the South Carolina Supreme Court and require an attorney to conduct a closing (South Carolina v. Buyers Serv. Co., 357 S.E.2d 15 (S.C. 1987)). Therefore, if you are buying, selling, refinancing, or taking out a home equity line of credit on your home or other real estate you will need a closing attorney.

You will need a valid and unexpired form of identification brought with you. Generally, individuals have their driver’s license. All funds required to close will be needed at closing, as well as any original documents requested.

$.01 to $500.00 Personal check is acceptable payable to Styles & Dingle, LLC

$501.00 to $5,000.00 Certified or Cashier’s check payable to Styles & Dingle, LLC

Over $5,000.00 FUNDS MUST BE IN THE FORM OF A WIRE TRANSFER

No exceptions will be made

A final survey shows your property’s boundary lines and the positioning of physical improvements such as your home and driveway. Additionally, a final survey will show easements, setbacks, fences, etc. Final surveys differ from plot plans (which may have been included in your contract) in that final surveys show the actual location of the improvements on your property at the time the survey is conducted versus a plot plan showing where the builder intendeds improvements to be constructed. 

As real estate attorneys, we always recommend buying a final survey to clients. The reason being is that a final survey gives you more information about what is typically your biggest investment and that information may allow you to make corrections to mistakes before closing or very soon after closing, i.e., before they would become a problem at a re-sale. Additionally, while your homeowner’s title insurance may cover certain defects that could have been shown by a final survey, those defects are subject to a policy limits and deductibles.

In a nutshell, homeowner’s title insurance ensures that you have clear title on the property that you are purchasing. If a claim arises against the title to your property, the title insurer will defend you against said claim and/or will attempt to make you whole.

As attorneys, we are taught to give advice based upon giving our clients the most protection possible and that’s what Homeowner’s Title Insurance does. Homeowner’s title insurance offers an extra level of security for a relatively low, one-time cost to what is often one’s largest investment. Additionally, it is considered by many in the industry to be malpractice for an attorney not to advise his or her clients to purchase title insurance.

That being said, purchasing homeowner’s title insurance is an option and not a requirement. However, we do charge a title review fee in the event you do not purchase title insurance. 

Lender’s title insurance is required by all lenders to be purchased by the borrower in order to insure the lender’s interest in the property (i.e., loan amount). Lender’s title insurance does not protect the borrower/purchaser.

The short answer is yes. If you are unable to come to closing please contact us immediately to make alternate arrangements such as a Power of Attorney.

If we have all of the items needed, your closing typically only takes around 45 minutes depending on questions and how fast you sign. Generally closings are scheduled on the hour.