A title assistant is an entry-level position with a title insurance company that guarantees clean title in real estate transactions. There are very few hard credentials needed to be considered for the position. To become a title assistant, you must be detail-oriented, conscientious and personable. Potential employers will ask you to indicate your educational experience but will not likely require a specific degree. Although there are few specific position requirements, your pay rate will depend on your level of education, topical knowledge and prior experience.
Title companies provide insurance to real estate purchases to guarantee that no one, other than the seller, has a claim on the property. The process of guaranteeing title involves researching the public land and tax records, and verifying the status of conveyances and transfers. Assistants preform most of the research legwork, prepare documents and file them with the appropriate official office. Performing these duties requires the title assistant to be familiar with deeds, trusts and assignments and releases. An assistant should also be familiar with subdivision, surveyor and assessor maps.
Functionally, a title assistant interacts with buyers, sellers, agents, lawyers and government officials. Consequently, the job posting for a title assistant will typically stress intangible skills, such as attention to detail, conscientiousness and a friendly demeanor. You can become a title assistant for a small title insurance office with a high school degree and some work experience that demonstrates your command of these skills. As an entry-level staff member, a title assistant will typically work closely with credentialed staff and will learn the particulars of the job that way.
If you want to become a title assistant for a larger title company or want to qualify for a higher rate of pay, you should consider obtaining some topical experience in real estate transactions. Many community colleges offer classes and certificate programs in real estate transactions. Most real estate trade associations offer continuing education seminars and workshops that are available to the public for a fee. To become a title assistant at this level, you will likely need an associate's or bachelor's degree and some prior experience working in real estate.
The requirement to have prior working experience may be gained by working in a company that is smaller than the one your are targeting. You can often substitute related experience that involves the same topical knowledge. For example, you could work in a real estate agent's office or in the land assessor's office of the county clerk. Paralegal training will always put you in a good position for any type of assistant position, as will any experience in a lawyer's office that handles real estate.