Every Champion Ohio closing runs through a title company that protects your ownership and handles the money. Our title and escrow partner is Ohio Real Title, which handles residential and commercial closings across Ohio. Your Central Ohio contact is Ron Benjamin, Senior Sales Representative.
Send a Purchase AgreementCall Ron Benjamin: 614-602-9813
Your Ohio Real Title Contact
Ron Benjamin
Senior Sales Representative · Central Ohio
Send all purchase agreements to: orders@ohiorealtitle.com
Ron grows Ohio Real Title’s business in Central Ohio and works with agents, builders, investors, lenders and commercial clients. He previously owned his own title company and spent 18 years in the mortgage industry. Ohio Real Title’s network of closing agents can meet you at a time and place that works for you. Main office: 1213 Prospect Avenue, Suite 200, Cleveland, OH 44115.
What a Title Company Does
- Title search: checks public records for liens, unpaid taxes, judgments and ownership problems.
- Title insurance: lender’s and owner’s policies that protect against covered title defects.
- Escrow: holds earnest money and closing funds and pays everyone correctly at closing.
- Closing: prepares the settlement statement and conducts the signing for purchases, sales and refinances.
- Recording: records the new deed and mortgage with the county.
How Closing Works in Greater Columbus
- Purchase agreement sent. Your Champion Ohio agent sends the signed contract to orders@ohiorealtitle.com, along with earnest money details, and Ohio Real Title opens your file.
- Earnest money deposited. Pay as your purchase agreement directs, after confirming instructions by phone.
- Title search and commitment. Ohio Real Title searches the records and issues a title commitment listing anything that must be cleared.
- Payoffs and documents. Ohio Real Title orders mortgage payoffs, HOA and condo documents, and coordinates with your lender.
- Final numbers. Buyers receive the lender’s Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing; sellers receive a settlement statement. In Franklin County the seller customarily pays the conveyance fee of $3 per $1,000 of the sale price.
- Funds wired. Start your wire at least 48 hours before closing, after confirming instructions by phone.
- Sign, record and get the keys. Sign with an Ohio Real Title closing agent; Ohio Real Title records the deed and pays out all funds.
Protect Yourself from Wire Fraud
Criminals send fake wiring instructions that look like they came from your agent or title company. Never wire money based on an email or text alone. Call Ohio Real Title at a phone number you already know, such as 216-373-9900, to confirm instructions before you send funds, and call again to confirm they arrived. Neither the Champion Ohio Sales Team nor Ohio Real Title will ever change wiring instructions by email.
Title & Escrow FAQ
What does a title company do?
A title company confirms the seller can legally transfer the property, searches public records for liens, unpaid taxes and other problems, issues title insurance, holds earnest money and closing funds in escrow, prepares the settlement statement, conducts the closing, and records the new deed with the county.
Who chooses the title company?
The buyer and seller agree on the title company in the purchase agreement. You are not required to use any particular title company. We recommend Ohio Real Title, and Ron Benjamin, their Central Ohio representative, because their team knows Ohio closings and keeps everyone informed from contract to keys.
Do I need an owner's title insurance policy?
Your lender will require a lender's policy, which protects the lender. An owner's policy is a one-time premium that protects you, the owner, against covered title problems for as long as you or your heirs own the home. Most buyers choose it; ask Ohio Real Title for a quote.
How do I send my earnest money deposit?
Send earnest money by the method in your purchase agreement. Always confirm payment instructions by calling Ohio Real Title at a phone number you already know before you send any money.
How do I protect myself from wire fraud?
Never trust wiring instructions that arrive by email or text alone, even if they look like they came from us or the title company. Call Ohio Real Title at a number you already know to confirm the instructions, start your wire at least 48 hours before closing, and call to confirm it arrived.
Questions About Your Closing?
Call Ron Benjamin at Ohio Real Title, 614-602-9813, or reach the Champion Ohio Sales Team at 614-219-3389. Still need financing? See our mortgage calculator and lender. Learn more at ohiorealtitle.com.
Title and escrow services are provided by Ohio Real Title, not by the Champion Ohio Sales Team or Keller Williams Consultants. This page is for general information and is not legal advice. You are not required to use any particular title company.