Real Estate Closings & Title

Why Close Without an Attorney—When You Can Close With One at No Additional Cost?

At St. Johns Law Group, we provide attorney-supervised real estate closings—at no added cost compared to title companies. Our team includes over 10 experienced attorneys and a full staff of title agents, escrow officers, processors, and paralegals, making us the most experienced real estate law firm in St. Augustine.

Whether residential or commercial, purchase or refinance, we handle every aspect of the real estate transaction with precision, efficiency, and legal insight.

🏡 Residential & Commercial Real Estate Closings

Our attorneys have decades of experience handling real estate closings and transactions of all types:

• Residential Sales & Purchases

• Commercial Transactions & Land Development

• Refinancing & Loan Closings

• Title Insurance & Lien Resolution

• Contract Drafting, Review & Negotiation

We routinely close transactions involving complex issues like:

• Development rights & concurrency

• 1031 exchanges

• Title defects or encroachments

• Easements & restrictive covenants

💼 Extensive Legal Experience in Real Estate

Our real estate team includes:

• John Whiteman – 40+ years of experience

• David Abraham – 30+ years of commercial leasing expertise

• Doug Burnett – 25+ years in residential and commercial closings

We combine deep legal insight with transaction efficiency to ensure clean title, sound contracts, and a smooth path to closing.

💰 How Much Does a Real Estate Closing Cost?

Our fees are competitive with or often lower than title companies.
For residential transactions, we typically match or beat standard closing cost quotes—and you get the added benefit of attorney involvement at no extra charge.

For commercial closings, legal complexity may affect pricing, especially in transactions involving:

• Zoning & land use considerations

• Developer agreements

• Commercial leases or tenant rights

💡 Did you know? Florida sets many closing costs by law, including title insurance rates and deed stamp taxes. To understand standard closing costs, we have developed a closing costs calculator.

📑 What Closing Services Do We Provide?

We manage every detail of the transaction, including:

• Title insurance issuance

• Lien and title searches

• Document drafting

• Escrow services

• Loan document review

• Coordination with agents, lenders & inspectors

We handle contracts, addendums, disclosure forms, deeds, easements, utility agreements, post-closing documents, and more.

🔁 Loan Closings & Refinancing

We work with lenders, brokers, and mortgage officers to close:

• Home purchases with financing

• Cash-out or rate-reduction refinancing

• Construction loans & draw schedules

• Commercial loan packages

We know what lenders require—and we deliver.

👥 Working Seamlessly With Your Realtor

We regularly work with real estate agents and brokers across Florida. Our closers, processors, and attorneys provide real-time updates, and our closing software tracks progress from contract to closing.

We value communication, coordination, and client confidence.

🖋️ Need a Quit Claim Deed or Enhanced Life Estate Deed?

We draft and file custom deeds for:

• Adding a spouse or child to a deed

• Transferring property to a trust or LLC

• Creating a life estate or enhanced life estate deed

Contact our Real Estate Closing Team:

• Katie Lemelin – Closer & Estate Planning Paralegal
• Thom Sharpe – Closer & Quit Claim Deed Processor 
• Doug Burnett – Real Estate Attorney

🏠 Post-Closing Considerations: Don’t Forget Your Homestead Exemption

If your newly purchased home is your primary residence, you may be eligible for Florida’s Homestead Exemption, which can significantly reduce your property taxes.

Learn more: Florida Statutes Chapter 196

📜 From Title to Estate Planning: Full-Service Guidance

New to Florida?
Florida law may affect how your assets are distributed if you pass away. If you’ve moved here from out-of-state, your old will or trust may no longer meet Florida’s legal standards.

Our attorneys can help you update:

• Wills & Trusts

• Powers of Attorney

• Healthcare Surrogates

• Living Wills

• Pre-Need Guardian Declarations

Let us ensure your estate plan aligns with Florida law and your current wishes.

📍 Areas We Serve

We proudly represent residential and commercial clients throughout Northeast Florida, including:

• St. Augustine & Anastasia Island

• Ponte Vedra & Ponte Vedra Beach

• Nocatee, Silverleaf & St. Johns

• Palm Coast, Bunnell & Flagler Beach

• Palatka, Hastings & Putnam County

• Green Cove Springs & Clay County

• Jacksonville & Duval County

• Fernandina Beach & Nassau County

• All Surrounding Beach Communities

🏁 Let’s Get You to the Closing Table—Smoothly and Securely

Whether you’re buying your first home or selling a commercial portfolio, the Real Estate Closings & Title Team at St. Johns Law Group has the experience, legal strength, and client-first approach to get the job done right.

Contact us today for a consultation or closing quote.