Michigan-based Title Company Unveils Simplified Title Commitment

July 22, 2014

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Sun Title announced it has created a title insurance commitment from the perspective of the customer instead of the title company.

In a release, the company said it created the EZ-Read Title Commitment after its owners recognized a critical client need for an easy-to-understand title document to assist homeowners, commercial property owners, real estate agents and lenders as they navigate the real estate transaction process.

“Our clients and their customers finally have a document that they can read and understand without the need to be a real estate title expert,” said Lawrence Duthler, Sun Title president and co-owner. “We believe this will save everyone time and energy from the very beginning of the transaction. Real estate transactions are moving at light-speed and any delays can mean trouble.”

Designed to be easily understood by property owners, who are likely not experts in real estate transactions, the EZ-Read Title Commitment features content to help all of the parties in a transaction:

  • Clear explanation of the purpose of the title commitment and its various parts
  • Each item required for the transaction is explained in easily understood terms, with detailed directions on how to satisfy the requirement
  • Each requirement for the transaction is ranked on a scale of severity so the parties know how to prioritize what needs to get done
  • Requirements have simple headings that highlight the issue
To ensure the document is one that everyone can understand, Sun Title allowed clients to test it out in transactions before its July launch.

“The EZ-Read Title Commitment is an industry first,” said Ed Hansen, broker at Keller Williams Realty–North. “Finally, there is a concise title commitment that all agents and their clients can follow and understand. This is a game changer.”

Thomas Cronkright, Sun Title CEO and co-owner, said the EZ-Read Title Commitment is another example of his company’s pursuit of better solutions for their clients and partners. In 2008, Sun Title launched a fleet of mobile closing units equipped with technology and supplies to conduct remote closings. The company also recently unveiled a mobile app to provide real estate partners a variety of tools, including seller net sheets, a GFE calculator and title rate calculator.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.