Southern Title's Guide to Closing Safely During COVID.

The health and well-being of our employees, our customers, and our communities is our top priority and we will continue to adjust our operations based on their best interest. We will keep this page updated with information to help you, whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing real estate in Florida, or just looking for accurate, up-to-date information about the virus’ impact on Florida.

Southern Title has fully implemented its "Return to Work" plan, adhering to guidance from state and federal authorities and the CDC.

All Southern Title offices have returned to a regular, office-based work schedule in each of our locations throughout Florida. This transition will take some time, as we are continuing to accommodate the needs of our associates who have compromised immune systems, children at home, or may be caring for an ill relative. Fortunately, our flexible remote operations have been successful and we are able to assist you with all your real estate closing needs at all of our Southern Title offices.

We are continuing to take this pandemic very seriously and have implemented "Cleaning & Screening" protocols to ensure the safety of our associates and clients. It is important to us that you feel safe inside our offices. In addition to our internal cleaning and disinfecting regimen, we ask that you adhere to these wellness-based protocols in order to protect yourself, other customers, and our associates:

If you have not been vaccinated, please wear a mask. If you don’t have a mask , we will be happy to provide one to you.
Prior to your closing, you will be asked a few COVID-19 related screening questions in order to protect all parties to the transaction.

Other Options for your closing:

Crisis leads to opportunity if you are willing to be flexible and responsive! We are happy to accommodate our customers requesting socially distant or remote closings:

Curbside Closings: for those customers who don't want to leave their car.
Remote Online Notarization: for those customers who have want to close from the comfort of their home, and have internet & video capabilities, and lender approval.

We will continue to follow guidance from local, state, and federal authorities and update our customers here and on our social media channels.

Please feel free to contact your closing officer if you have any questions. We appreciate your adherence to these guidelines as we continue to manage the health and wellness of our employees and customers while supporting the needs of the real estate community. As the prevalence of Coronavirus changes in our area, we will change our protocols and will update you accordingly.

If you have questions, please call your favorite Southern Title office. Our complete list of locations can be found here.

Southern Title Safe Closing Protocols

Southern Title has developed the following protocols to ensure healthy and safe closings.

Southern Title has implemented the following procedures.

Hand sanitizer in all shared spaces, and enforcing any employees and/or clients who feel ill to stay home.
Arriving to a Closing: Guests are encouraged to use hand sanitizer and/or wash hands upon arrival at our office.
Symptomatic Clients: Any guest who exhibits symptoms that may be like coronavirus (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) must notify staff upon arrival and we will escort out of common areas into a private closing room.
Post-Closing Disinfecting: After each closing, the chairs, table and door handle will be wiped down with disinfecting wipes or bleach solution.
Closing Table Items: Remove pens, paper, extra reading glasses and other items normally found on the closing tables. Distribute new pens to each closing participant and not re-used.
Lobby Items: All reading materials, snacks, ceramic mugs and other re-usable items have been removed.
Hand Sanitizer: Provide hand sanitizer in closing spaces. If none is available, encourage employees and visitors to wash their hands before and after any closing or other meeting.
General Environmental Cleaning: Cleaning personnel are using appropriate germ-killing solutions when cleaning office areas after-hours.
Social Distancing: When possible, stay approximately six feet from others.
Workforce Dispersion: If needed, Southern Title has developed safe and secure technology solutions so our associates can work from remote locations, assuring production and service continuity.
Help Us Spread Smiles (Not Sickness) in the Closing Room

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that has infected more than 142,000 individuals in 134 countries, causing the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify this outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Anyone experiencing emergency signs such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or bluish lips or face should immediately seek medical attention.

For the latest information on CDC or World Health Organization, go to:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization

Coronavirus Interactive Dashboard Map

Florida Department of Health

Live Florida Department of Health Dashboard

Protect Your Finances during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Department of Housing & Urban Development and the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions.

For more resources on how to manage your finances, visit the CFPB website.

Information to Know

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person and the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The CDC urges citizens to monitor your health and practice social distancing. Social distancing means staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.