Residential Real Estate Paralegal

Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.•Coral Gables, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Becker was honored by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best law firms to work for in both the 2024 and 2025 inaugural lists, reflecting our strong commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and a supportive workplace culture. Come be a part of our award-winning team! Becker is a diverse, multi-practice, commercial law firm with offices in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and international affiliates. Since 1973, we’ve built a culture that is collaborative, creative, and passionate about growth. Our client-focused approach is rooted in exceeding expectations and building lasting relationships.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree and a minimum of three years’ experience working as a legal assistant, OR a high school diploma plus formal and extensive training as a paralegal.
At least five (5) years’ experience working in the real estate law section of a mid-size or large law firm.
Ability to process a volume of various types of real estate purchase and sale files and loan files simultaneously.
Multitasking abilities.
Strong organizational skills.
Ability to keep up-to-date reports on each file indicating status and pending items.
Thorough knowledge of state and county customs and laws relating to real estate law, conveying property, title and surveying, condominium and homeowner’s association laws.
Strong computer skills.
Ability to use Outlook calendar system.
Ability to use DoubleTime or Ramquest real estate software.

Responsibilities

Handle a moderate volume of residential real estate closings (25-30) from contract to closing.
Send out welcome packages to both buyer/seller.
Order title, lien search, survey, estoppel letters.
Prepare preliminary CD and interact with buyer’s lender to ensure compliance with TRID.
Phone and email interaction with buyer, seller, agents, lenders to ensure all parties are kept up to date on the status of their files.
Communicate title, lien search, or estoppel issues to all parties and identify responsible parties for resolution.
Resolve title issues, lien search issues, and estoppel issues to allow timely closings.
Calendar critical dates and proactively request extensions.
Prepare for organized closings, including notifying parties of closing amounts, obtaining agent wire instructions, bank approval of closing statements, and identifying required loan documents.
Balance closing statements and incorporate lender funding.
Fund transactions efficiently at the closing table.
E-record documents and ensure timely recording and delivery to parties.
Issue title policies in a timely fashion.
Draft and understand residential and commercial real estate transactions, including purchase and sales contracts, due diligence timeline establishment, preparation of critical date lists, and preparation of Seller’s and Purchaser’s documents.
Draft and understand loan documents for financial institutions.
Review title, surveys, prepare title commitments and policies, estoppel letters, and handle pre and post-closing matters.
Order and review all appropriate lien searches.
Prepare closing statements and loan packages.
Complete Due Diligence activities, process files from contract to closing and post-closing.
Understand "Defined Terms" within a purchase and sales contract and prepare, calendar, and monitor contract critical dates.
Prepare a title commitment and satisfy Schedule B-I title conditions and review Schedule B-II title exceptions.
Interact with underwriter to remove title exceptions.
Work with loan closing specialists in preparing loan closing statements and completing other requirements for loan closing.
Have a general knowledge of state and county customs and laws with respect to real estate transactions.
Understand different types of residential purchase/sale contracts (e.g., FAR and FAR/BAR contracts).
Understand commercial purchase and sale contracts and prepare/monitor timelines.
Understand commercial leases.
Have knowledge of title insurance regulations.
Review and interpret title exceptions.
Review B-I title conditions and B-II exceptions to title.
Prepare title commitments in the firm's system.
Review surveys and identify encroachments or violations.
Order and review title in both residential and commercial transactions.
Perform any other duties as may be required of the job.