Title Examiner, New York (remote)

First American•New York, NY

10d•$23 - $31•Remote

About The Position

First American's Direct division provides comprehensive title insurance protection and professional settlement services for real estate purchases, refinances and equity loans. First American is looking to add a Title Examiner to our team. This position plays a key role in coordinating the resolution and completion of the title process. Primary responsibilities include searching public records and examining titles to determine the legal condition of property title—primarily for cooperative properties across New York (including NYC boroughs and surrounding counties)—and developing solutions to cure title issues. This role includes working within New York’s unique title environment, including ACRIS, county clerk systems, and cooperative (co-op) transactions, as well as preparing and revising coop lien searches in accordance with NY underwriting practices. The right candidate must be able to work remotely and independently, utilizing experience to examine title of varying complexity, establish chain of title, and identify risks specific to New York real estate.

Requirements

4+ years of directly related New York title examination experience
Strong working knowledge of ACRIS and NY county recording systems
Experience with NY co-op transactions and cooperative title review
Familiarity with UCC searches (NY State and county-level) and lien resolution
Knowledge of NYC-specific items such as ECB violations, municipal liens, and tax-related searches
Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and quality
Ability to work independently in a remote environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
High School diploma or equivalent

Responsibilities

Perform title examinations and analyze for cooperative properties throughout New York State, including NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island)
Conduct detailed searches using ACRIS (NYC) and county clerk/land record systems (e.g., Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, etc.)
Examine and interpret NY-specific documents, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, CEMA transactions, and transfer documents
Perform co-op searches, including review of proprietary leases, stock certificates, recognition agreements, and managing agent documentation
Conduct and analyze UCC lien searches at the state and county level, and identify filings affecting cooperative interests and real property
Review tax records, water/sewer liens, ECB violations, and municipal charges impacting title (especially within NYC)
Identify and resolve title issues common in NY, including: Missing or improperly recorded satisfactions, Open mortgages or assignments, Judgments and liens (including federal, state, and local), Name variations and vesting issues, Breaks in chain of title
Prepare clear, concise coop lien searches and curative requirements for underwriting and closing teams
May provide underwriting interpretation within established NY guidelines
Other duties as assigned