What Trusted Opal Does and How It Works in South Carolina Real Estate
Trusted Opal is a title company serving South Carolina real estate transactions
Trusted Opal is a title insurance and closing services company that handles the paperwork and legal steps when you buy or sell property in South Carolina. They search property records to confirm ownership, issue title insurance policies that protect against ownership disputes, and coordinate the closing meeting where you sign documents and transfer funds. The company operates across South Carolina and works with buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and lenders to move transactions from contract to deed.
Title companies like Trusted Opal sit between the parties in a real estate deal. They do not represent the buyer or seller — they work for both, making sure the property can legally change hands and that everyone's interests are protected. Their role is to verify that the seller actually owns what they are selling and that no liens, unpaid taxes, or other claims will follow the property to you.
Key Takeaways
- Trusted Opal searches property records and issues title insurance to protect you against ownership claims that surface after you buy.
- They coordinate the closing meeting, explain documents before you sign, and handle the transfer of funds and deed recording.
- Title insurance is usually required by your lender and covers legal costs if someone later claims a right to the property.
- You can contact Trusted Opal directly to ask questions about your specific transaction or to understand what happens at closing.
What title insurance covers and why lenders require it
Title insurance protects you and your lender against financial loss if someone later claims ownership of the property or if a lien was missed during the search. Common problems it covers include forged deeds, unpaid property taxes from before you bought, contractor liens from work the previous owner never paid for, and errors in the public record itself. If a claim arises, the title company pays the legal costs to defend your ownership or pays the settlement if the claim is valid.
Your lender will require a lender's title policy as a condition of the mortgage. This policy protects the lender's investment in the property. A separate owner's policy is optional but recommended — it protects your equity and is usually a one-time premium paid at closing. The cost varies by property value and location within South Carolina, but it is typically a small percentage of the purchase price.
How Trusted Opal prepares for closing
Before closing day, Trusted Opal orders a title search from the county records office. This search goes back through decades of deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments to build a chain of ownership. They review tax records to confirm property taxes are current and check for any code violations or unpaid assessments. If problems appear — a lien that was never released, a boundary dispute, or a missing signature on an old deed — Trusted Opal works to resolve them before closing or notes them in the title insurance exceptions.
They also coordinate with your lender to confirm loan terms, verify that insurance and property tax escrow amounts are correct, and prepare the closing disclosure — a document that shows all costs and loan terms at least three business days before closing. This gives you time to review numbers and ask questions. Trusted Opal staff can walk you through the disclosure and explain any line item you do not understand.
What happens at the closing meeting
Closing typically takes place at Trusted Opal's office or another location you all agree on. You, the seller, real estate agents, and sometimes the lender's representative meet to sign documents. Trusted Opal's closing agent explains each document before you sign — the promissory note (your promise to repay the loan), the mortgage or deed of trust (the lender's claim on the property if you default), the deed (the document that transfers ownership), and various disclosures required by state and federal law.
After everyone signs, Trusted Opal collects the down payment and loan funds, pays the seller, covers real estate commissions, and records the deed with the county register of deeds. Recording is the legal step that puts your name on the property in the public record. Trusted Opal handles this filing and confirms it is complete before giving you the keys. The whole process from signing to recorded deed usually takes a few days.
Title issues that may delay or complicate closing
Sometimes the title search uncovers problems that have to be fixed before closing can happen. A lien from a contractor or creditor of the previous owner may still be attached to the property — the seller's real estate agent or attorney usually arranges payment to release it. Unpaid property taxes or homeowners association dues work the same way: the seller pays them at closing from the sale proceeds, and Trusted Opal confirms the payoff before recording the deed.
Boundary disputes, missing heirs, or forged documents in the chain of title are rarer but more serious. These may require a lawyer to resolve or may result in exceptions to the title insurance — things the policy will not cover because the problem was known before you bought. Trusted Opal will explain what exceptions mean for your ownership and whether you want to proceed. In some cases, the seller agrees to lower the price or post a bond to cover the risk.
How to contact Trusted Opal about your transaction
If you are buying or selling property in South Carolina and your real estate agent or lender has referred you to Trusted Opal, ask for their contact information and the name of the closing agent assigned to your file. You can call or email with questions about the timeline, what documents to bring to closing, or what to expect. Many title companies have online portals where you can upload documents and track the progress of your file.
If you have not yet chosen a title company, ask your lender which companies they work with — lenders often have preferred vendors. You can also ask your real estate agent for a recommendation. South Carolina law allows you to choose your own title company, though some lenders limit the options. Getting a referral from someone who has used Trusted Opal before is often the best way to know what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose Trusted Opal, or does my lender have to approve them?
Your lender has the right to approve the title company, but they cannot force you to use a specific one. If Trusted Opal is on your lender's approved list, you can request them. If not, ask your lender whether they will work with Trusted Opal or whether you need to choose from their approved vendors.
What should I bring to the closing meeting?
Bring a photo ID, proof of homeowners insurance (if you are buying), and a checkbook or information about how you are wiring the down payment. Trusted Opal will tell you the exact amount due at closing. Do not bring the down payment in cash — wire transfers or cashier's checks are standard. Ask Trusted Opal ahead of time what form of payment they accept.
How long does the title search take?
A title search usually takes three to five business days, depending on how busy the county records office is and whether problems appear that need research. Trusted Opal orders the search as soon as you are under contract. If you are on a tight timeline, let them know so they can prioritize your file.
What if the title search finds a problem?
Trusted Opal will contact you and the seller's agent to explain the issue and what it means. Most problems — unpaid liens, back taxes, code violations — can be paid off at closing from the seller's proceeds. If the problem cannot be fixed, Trusted Opal may issue a title insurance exception, meaning the policy will not cover that specific issue. You and your lender decide whether to proceed.
Do I need both a lender's policy and an owner's policy?
Your lender requires a lender's policy to protect their investment. An owner's policy is optional but protects your equity and is usually inexpensive if purchased at the same time as the lender's policy. Many buyers choose to get both for full protection.