June 11, 2025

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Back to Basics, Part 7: The Title Commitment

In this program, we will review the title commitment, discuss what documentation is required to waive exceptions, which exceptions can be waived, and which exceptions must remain on title. We will also discuss specific exceptions, as listed below.

How to waive a title commitment.

How to clear these title exceptions:

• Judgments and liens
• Mortgage exceptions
• Condo/HOA exceptions
• Patriot Act exceptions

Other considerations:

• Statute of limitations
• Title clearance documents

What to order and when:

• Water certification
• Survey
• Transfer stamps, tax bill, and payoffs

How to review the name search

How to raise survey exceptions

About the Speakers

Alisa L. Swerdlove

Underwriting Attorney

Advocus National Title Insurance Company | Chicago, Illinois

Alisa joined ATG (now Advocus) as an underwriting attorney in 2017. She advises attorney agents, closers, lenders, and other attorneys on residential underwriting issues, drawing on nearly twenty years' experience in all aspects of the closing process as an independent closer.

Lowell B. Krahn

Senior Underwriting Attorney

Advocus National Title Insurance Company | Chicago, Illinois

Lowell started as a law clerk at ATG (now Advocus) in 2002. Over the years he has worked in various roles and is now an attorney for our Commercial Department. He oversees the underwriting aspects of commercial and residential transactions as well as for properties that have been through the foreclosure process.