Why the attorney review period matters for title
New Jersey is unusual: when a contract is prepared by a real estate licensee, both parties have a three-business-day attorney review period during which either attorney may cancel or propose changes. Most title agencies will not begin searches until the contract is firm—so the day review concludes is day one of the title timeline, not the day the contract was signed.
Send the fully executed contract the same day
The single biggest accelerator is speed of delivery. Email or upload the firm contract, with the attorney-review conclusion letters, the moment you have them. Include every party’s contact information—buyer’s and seller’s attorneys, the lender or loan officer, and the co-op agent. A complete order lets us place county and municipal searches immediately.
What happens in the first week
Once the order is open, we run the county search (deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens), request municipal certifications (tax, water, sewer, assessments), and order any required riparian or tidelands checks. Within roughly three to seven business days a title commitment is issued to all parties listing exactly what must be cleared before closing.
Flag known issues up front
If you know the seller went through a divorce, inherited the property, has an open permit, or refinanced recently, tell us at order. Each of those changes the search plan and the documents we will need—and knowing early can save weeks.
Set client expectations around the commitment
Buyers are often alarmed by “exceptions” on Schedule B. Most are standard—utility easements, restrictions of record. Encourage clients to review the commitment with their attorney and to ask us about anything they do not understand; we would rather answer a question in week one than at the table.
This article is general information about New Jersey real estate transactions and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws, regulations, and fee schedules change; confirm current requirements with your attorney. Crystal Alliance Title is a title insurance agency, not a law firm.
