Senior Clearance Operations Associate

About the team

Spruce, a Zillow® Group company, was founded in 2016 to deliver fast, streamlined and secure real estate closings, representing more than $20 billion of transactions nationwide. We are a team with a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives, from respected title and real estate industry veterans to innovative product managers, engineers and data scientists. What brings us together is our passion for building a better closing experience.

We believe that the future of real estate will be driven by automation, efficiency, and digital experiences. Our mission is to provide the products and services vital to make that happen!

Spruce is looking for a Senior Clearance Associate to join a small Title Solutions team making a big impact. This role requires the individual to quickly adapt to support teammates and customers’ needs while delivering a world-class experience through independent problem solving and deep knowledge of the curative function. You will work closely with the Title Examiners and Closing Associates to keep everyone updated on the status of your files and keep them moving through the pipeline, meeting turnaround times according to service-level agreements.

The primary function of this role is to review title commitments and attorney title opinion letters to identify matters to be cured prior to or at closing such as municipal liens, satisfaction of judgments, UCC-3 terminations, etc. Much of the day is spent coordinating with consumers, creditors, attorneys, and underwriters to cure issues reflected on title commitments, such as mortgages, liens, judgments, and taxes.

You will also

• Update title commitments as new information becomes available, such as using a social security number to clear a judgment and remove the corresponding requirement.
• Interpret buyer and lender requests for title waivers and prepare a pro forma title insurance policy or marked-up title commitment.
• Draft deeds, affidavits, and escrow agreements in markets where allowed; order deeds and other legal documents from vendor and attorney partners.
• Review and approve the following documents: surveys, divorce decrees, trust agreements, probate proceedings, bankruptcies, death certificates, entity articles, and court dockets.
• Search county records for recorded instruments such as releases.
• Input invoice charges to the settlement statement for fees accrued during the clearance process, such as surveyor invoices.
• Calculate title insurance premiums and prepare invoices itemizing all costs for title-only transactions in which Spruce fulfills title in states where an attorney serves as settlement agent.
• Communicate by phone and email with all parties in the transaction and help take and redirect incoming calls on the general phone line.
• Confirm all outstanding matters are cleared prior to or at close of escrow, while moving quickly and efficiently through a queue of urgent tasks.

This role has been categorized as a Remote position. U.S. employees may live in any of the 50 United States; some locations have different base pay ranges. In addition to a competitive base salary this position is also eligible for equity awards based on factors such as experience, performance and location. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location.

Employees in this role will not be paid below the salary threshold for exempt employees in the state where they reside.

The ideal candidate will bring a passion for providing high-quality and timely service to internal and external customers and will thrive in a fast-paced, team-centric environment where change is a constant as Spruce prepares to move into new markets. Key attributes include:

• High attention to detail
• Great teammate who maintains a positive demeanor and supports teammate absences while managing multiple files of your own under tight turnaround times within an ongoing pipeline
• Proactive problem solver who can see the big picture and who is resourceful and willing to take initiative and attempt to find a solution before asking for help
• Seven years minimum of title curative experience; deep expertise in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and/or New Jersey markets a plus
• Confidence with editing technical legal documents such as affidavits and indemnity agreements
• Understanding of title clearance requirements, including ability to read title commitments, delete requirements and exceptions as appropriate, and prepare pro forma title policies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with underwriters on technical title issues and collaborating with attorneys, clients, and vendors

Zillow is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most-visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow® and its affiliates help movers find and win their home through digital solutions, first class partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and…