Arkansas is a state that knows how to do business. Whether the subject is Fortune 500 mainstays or hometown businesses that fuel local economies, Arkansas is pro-business.
In this month’s issue, Arkansas Money & Politics highlights a special sales section dedicated to some of the state’s most distinguished businesses, our 2024 Companies of Distinction.
First National Title Co.
To the casual observer, title companies are a less visible part of the real estate ecosystem. The role they play in facilitating transactions, however, could not be more crucial. Since prospective buyers often come to the process with little or no previous experience, a Realtor or bank usually recommends their preferred company to conduct a title search and provide title insurance. That decision is not taken lightly, since problems in the closing stage have the potential to cause all manner of financial and legal headaches for buyer, lender and seller alike. With reputations on the line, real estate professionals seek out title companies for their experience, expertise and track record of trustworthiness.
Having served clients since 1997, First National Title Co. is recognized for its commitment to closing deals, no matter how much work is involved. What is more, the company is helmed by attorneys Jim Pender and David Harrison. Their legal expertise allows them to handle even the most complex real estate transactions, including 1031s and reverse 1031s, and to catch potential issues that other companies might miss. The unparalleled breadth and depth of the company’s abilities has led First National Title to be sought out by clients, even in counties where the company does not have an office, as well as by out-of-state clients purchasing property in Arkansas.
“We’re in-house attorneys who deal with title issues all day every day, so we we’ve sort of seen it all,” Pender said. “It really helps us provide a good service in getting deals closed in a timely manner.”
First National Title is Arkansas’ largest independent title company, boasting 25 locations around the state and counting. That wide footprint has not been simply for growth’s sake, however. By acquiring offices in rural areas that might otherwise have closed due to financial burdens, for example, First National Title ensures that the people in those counties continue to have access to local experts and quality services. A broad network of title plants, largely maintained by the company itself, also gives First National Title an edge when it comes to the accuracy and thoroughness of its research.
“A Realtor’s livelihood depends on us doing a good job, and 50 percent of the Realtor’s business comes from repeat business,” Pender said. “If they referred their customer to a title company that didn’t do a good job, that customer probably won’t come back to that Realtor again. We get a lot of repeat business from Realtors because we do our job as we’re supposed to do for a fair price.”
While the company sets itself apart largely by operating as an “old-fashioned title company,” Pender said, First National Title also stays abreast of industry trends and challenges. In particular, the company has worked hard to bolster its fraud-protection measures and to educate Realtors and buyers about potential scams. As the title company of choice for countless Realtors, lenders and even other title companies, First National Title provides Arkansas with a level of comprehensive service that is unmatched anywhere else.
“We have been successful in growing our business, and we feel like we have the most experienced people in the industry, and that allows us to provide a great service to our clients at a reasonable price,” Pender said. “We can take care of any of their needs.”
25 offices across Arkansas • firstnationaltitle.net • First National Title Company
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