According to available historical information, Chicago Title can trace its beginnings to original abstract firms in business in Chicago, IL that were utilizing a system devised in 1847 to keep track of every recorded instrument and legal proceeding affecting real estate titles. It is most fortunate that this information was being collected then as this data was all that had been saved from the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871 that destroyed all of the official Cook County real estate records stored in the office of the county recorder. The existing abstract records kept by the companies at that time were later deemed to be official documents for Chicago homeowners via the Burnt Records Act of 1872. Chicago Title and Trust Co. derives its trust powers by succession from the first trust company authorized under the General Trust Company Act of 1887 and in 1888 Chicago Title, known then as the Title Guarantee and Trust Co., issued the first title guarantee policy in Illinois, protecting the owner against loss if the title as guaranteed was found invalid. In 1891 the company was officially changed to Chicago Title & Trust Company
For the first part of the 20th Century, officials of the Chicago Title & Trust Company were content to focus their operations within the state of Illinois but in 1961 they ventured into Indiana and over subsequent years into other states. The first Chicago Title & Trust Company opened in San Antonio in 1978, and now a part of the San Antonio landscape for more than 40 years, they are more commonly known as Chicago Title. When Chicago Title agreed to be acquired by Fidelity National Financial, Inc. in 2000, (NYSE: FNF) it became a part of the largest and most financially sound title insurer in the nation. This provides employees and clients with the unique opportunity of having the best of both worlds through strong local roots that are backed by the financial strength of a national company. With claims reserves of over $1.5 billion, (significantly more than that of any of their competitors) they are able to provide unparalleled protection. At Chicago Title San Antonio, the vision is to be the best and most professional title company in the San Antonio area. They have a great core group of employees with an average tenure in the double digits.
The title industry has become inundated with so many of the latest tools to help agents “sell” better, and although Chicago has their share of the latest and greatest programs, there is probably none more useful across the board to all agents than the Chicago Agent Closing Cost program. Although there are many versions and imitators out there, the Chicago Title operation has utilized this program from the very beginning. This is the program that was originally loaded on to a Palm Pilot that has now morphed into the nation’s top closing cost program app! This app is not just for Buyers Estimates and Sellers Net Sheets, but can be used as an effective marketing tool as well by taking advantage of its custom features. Only Chicago Title has the longevity, experience, and depth of knowledge to assist with and guide REALTORS® through tailoring their program to be most effective for each agent individually. You can contact one of our business development executives for a personalized training session by calling (210) 482-3500. For more information visit the website at http://chicagotitlesa.com/. Our Mission at Chicago Title San Antonio is to lead with value and experience for the benefit of our clients, our team and our families. In these unprecedented times we are learning what the new normal is and we are here for you!
