Midwest Foothold Strengthens with Increased Minnesota Market Presence 24 Jun 2024, 12:42 pm

Chicago, IL – June 19, 2024 – Leading title and escrow provider Near North Title Group has acquired Faribault, Minnesota-based NorthStar Title Group, LLC (NST) in a move that enhances Near North’s Minnesota footprint of 13 offices and aligns with its growth strategy. The addition of NST to Near North’s platform provides NST’s southern Minnesota lender, realtor and attorney customers with additional title and escrow service capabilities, supported by Near North’s national platform.

Near North’s operations have grown continuously from both organic growth as well as strategic acquisitions, with its presence in Minnesota stemming from Near North’s acquisition of Doma’s Midwest retail operations in 2023. Near North’s Minnesota operations trace their roots back to Title Protection, Inc., founded in 1990 in LeCenter, MN. “When the opportunity to acquire NST presented itself, Near North was excited to create the partnership and extend its Minnesota reach. The integration of NST’s team into Near North’s operations represents an important development opportunity to provide increased service offerings throughout Minnesota where we partner with and protect our customers”, said Near North’s CEO, Daniel Fowler. NST’s CEO Jake Piller said, “we are eager to join Near North Title Group’s national network and look forward to its staff’s deep bench of expertise to provide our existing clients with increased capabilities.”

NST’s staff will continue operating in its current Faribault location, uniting NST and Near North’s top title personnel in the region.

About Near North Title Group

Near North Title Group is a fully integrated title, escrow, construction escrow and 1031 exchange company that for over 30 years has provided clients with a comprehensive portfolio of commercial and residential services nationwide. Near North’s national commercial operations and residential Midwest and Florida offices facilitate over $10 billion in yearly transaction volume throughout over 60 locations, making it one of the strongest commercial title agents in the country and one of the largest residential agents in the Midwest. Near North is continuously expanding its market presence through acquisitions and organic growth as it provides customized solutions to its clientele, leveraging years of industry expertise and underwriter relationships that allow for maximum flexibility in facilitating even the most complex real estate transactions.

For more information about Near North Title Group and its services, please visit www.nntg.com

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Near North Title Group Further Expands Footprint with Acquisition of Doma Florida Agency Branches 14 Aug 2023, 3:46 pm

Chicago, IL – August 14, 2023 – Near North Title Group, a leading provider of title and escrow services, is thrilled to announce its latest strategic expansion with the acquisition of Doma’s Florida retail operations. This transaction comes on the heels of Near North Title Group’s recent acquisition of Doma’s Midwest locations, marking a period of growth for the company by adding over 130 employees and 39 offices to Near North’s existing platform.

The acquisition of Doma’s Florida branches signifies Near North Title Group’s dedication to strengthening its presence in key markets to further scale operations across the country. With a commitment to exceptional customer service and innovative solutions, Near North Title Group is poised to further solidify its position as one of the largest title agents in the industry.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire another set of Doma offices as they seek to refine their focus on their core business model of underwriting and technology”, said Dan Fowler, CEO of Near North Title Group. “Doma Florida employees, like the Midwest group, seek to embrace technology and will mesh with our tech-forward approach to utilizing the best systems and technology to service our customers”.

This acquisition will empower Near North Title Group to enhance its service offerings and continue using cutting-edge technology, streamlining the closing process for both clients and industry professionals. Clients can expect the same outstanding service and attention to detail that Near North Title Group has become renowned for, now bolstered by the added capabilities and resources of the Doma team.

This marks Near North’s third acquisition in 2023 despite soft market conditions. As Near North Title Group continues its growth strategy, it remains dedicated to delivering unparalleled customer experiences, enabling smooth and secure real estate transactions for buyers, sellers, and industry partners alike.

About Near North Title Group:

Near North Title Group is a fully integrated title, escrow, construction escrow and 1031 exchange company that for over 30 years has provided clients with a comprehensive portfolio of commercial and residential services nationwide. Near North’s national commercial operations and residential Midwest and Florida offices facilitate over $10 billion in yearly transaction volume throughout over 60 locations, making it one of the strongest commercial title agents in the country and one of the largest residential agents in the Midwest. Near North is continuously expanding its market presence through acquisitions and organic growth as it provides customized solutions to its clientele, leveraging years of industry expertise and underwriter relationships that allow for maximum flexibility in facilitating even the most complex real estate transactions.

For more information about Near North Title Group and its services, please visit www.nntg.com.

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Near North Title Group Announces Acquisition of Doma’s Midwest Operations 19 Jul 2023, 8:46 pm

CHICAGO, IL AND CARMEL, IN – July 20, 2023 – Near North Title Group, a leading provider of title insurance and settlement services, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Doma’s Midwest operations. This acquisition brings 30 offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana into the Near North office network. This strategic move adds over 100 industry professionals with thousands of years of collective experience onto the team, which further expands capabilities and underscores the company’s commitment to partnering with clients and providing unparalleled protection in real estate transactions.

The acquisition of these Doma (formerly known as North American Title) operations is a significant milestone in Near North’s strategy, bringing the number of combined offices to nearly 60 in six Midwestern states and Florida. The Near North brand has grown from its founding in the 1980’s as a leading national commercial title agency into a commercial and residential market leader as it expands the company’s market presence across the Midwest and Florida. By combining the expertise and resources of both organizations, Near North is well-positioned to deliver even greater value to clients of the acquired offices and Near North’s current offices and strengthen its position as a leader in the title industry.

“Our mission at Near North Title Group is to partner with our clients and protect their interests throughout the real estate transaction process,” said Dan Fowler, CEO of Near North Title Group. “This acquisition represents a tremendous opportunity for us to extend our reach and enhance our ability to serve clients across the Midwest. We are excited to welcome the talented team from Doma, including Alex Grundhoffer, Doma’s national COO of Local Branch Operations, and Doma Managing Directors of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana into the Near North family and look forward to combining our strengths to deliver exceptional service to our valued clients.” Grundhoffer commented that “The synergies of our collective management team and office locations made Near North the perfect home for our valued employees and clients. Near North’s culture and industry knowledge, especially so given the strong national commercial capabilities, will bring value to our local teams and communities. My team looks forward to being a part of the Near North family.”

“This strategic transaction is aligned with our mission-driven go-forward strategy and refined focus on our core underwriting and technology business,” said Max Simkoff, Founder and CEO of Doma. “Our Midwest operations have a track record of providing excellent customer service. We believe we have found optimal homes for our Local team members in the branches we have sold. I want to thank this team for their hard work and dedication to Doma and our vision over the years.”

Near North Title Group’s dedication to excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with Doma’s commitment to providing exceptional title services. This acquisition allows Near North to leverage the established customer base and deep-rooted industry relationships, while also benefiting from their specialized knowledge of each market where we operate. Houlihan Lokey acted as a financial advisor to Doma and Wooton Hoy LLC acted as legal counsel to Near North.

About Near North Title Group:
Near North Title Group is a fully integrated title, escrow, construction escrow and 1031 exchange company that for over 30 years has provided clients with a comprehensive portfolio of commercial and residential services nationwide. Near North’s national commercial operations and residential Midwest and Florida offices facilitate over $10 billion in yearly transaction volume throughout nearly 60 locations, making it one of the strongest commercial title agents in the country and one of the largest residential agents in the Midwest. Near North is continuously expanding its market presence through acquisitions and organic growth as it provides customized solutions to its clientele, leveraging years of industry expertise and underwriter relationships that allow for maximum flexibility in facilitating even the most complex real estate transactions.

For more information about Near North Title Group and its services, please visit www.nntg.com.

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Near North Welcomes Tracey Onohan 30 May 2023, 12:52 pm

NEW TALENT STRENGTHENS SERVICE CAPABILITIES IN NORTHWEST INDIANA

Near North Title Group is pleased to welcome Tracey Onohan as an Account Executive in our Merrillville, IN office.

With over 30 years of experience in the lending industry, Tracey possesses exceptional skills in understanding client needs and navigating the mortgage process. Her extensive expertise will greatly contribute to the growth of Near North’s Residential Sales team.

Scott Gryder, Chief Revenue Officer, commented, “Tracey’s comprehensive understanding of the real estate process and her established relationships within the community make her a valuable asset. Her ability to connect with clients and deep knowledge of the industry will be highly beneficial to Near North.”

Tracey, along with her husband and two children, resides in Highland, IN. When she’s not working, she enjoys pursuing hobbies such as gardening, bike riding and spending time with her dogs.

Tracey Onohan | 219-500-1023 | tonohan@nntg.com

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New Talent Strengthens Commercial Capabilities 24 Apr 2023, 12:41 pm

Near North Title Group is pleased to announce the addition of four exceptional professionals to our Commercial team. Over the past several months, we have been making strategic hires to enhance our Commercial department’s capabilities, enabling us to better serve your needs.

Our new team members bring extensive experience and expertise in various fields, including underwriting, escrow, examination, and client relations. Their arrival has already started to make a positive impact on our operations, and we are confident that their skills and passion will lead to even greater success for our clients.

In addition to our new hires, we have also invested heavily in technology and infrastructure to support our growing team. This has allowed us to streamline our processes, improve communication, and increase efficiency, ensuring that you receive the best and fastest service possible.

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O’Connor Title Joins the Near North Title Group Platform 24 Feb 2023, 7:40 pm

Midwest Foothold Strengthens within the Chicagoland Market

Near North Title Group has announced that it is expanding its platform by incorporating O’Connor Title, which will further solidify its status as one of the most powerful title and escrow agents in the Midwest. This acquisition brings together the robust infrastructure and expertise of Near North’s premier platform with the well-established twenty-year-old title insurance agency of O’Connor Title, serving both commercial and residential real estate markets in Chicagoland and Southern Illinois.

As part of Near North’s plan for sustained corporate expansion, this consolidation marks a significant growth opportunity for us to expand our services beyond the borders of Illinois and make them more accessible. “We are thrilled to collaborate with O’Connor, which will allow us to offer his clients the full range of solutions from Near North Title Group along with our unparalleled level of service”, said CEO Daniel Fowler.

With the guidance of industry veteran John O’Connor, O’Connor Title has established strong connections with the top real estate agents in the region. John O’Connor, the CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, stating, “I am thrilled about this development for O’Connor Title and the opportunities that the platform provided by Near North Title Group will bring. This will enable us to maintain our commitment to serving our clients with expertise, attention, and professionalism that forms the foundation of our company.”

O’Connor Title will carry on business as usual, bringing together the leading title professionals in the area and providing more opportunities to expand the scope of its services. By joining forces, O’Connor Title will take advantage of the advanced technology and infrastructure behind Near North’s network of over 20 offices and nationwide capabilities. Near North has seen tremendous growth in recent years, both through internal expansion and strategic partnerships.

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Near North Welcomes Pedro Pinero 12 Dec 2022, 6:13 pm

Near North Title Group is pleased to welcome Pedro Pinero as an Account Executive in our Doral, FL office. Pedro is very skilled in understanding client needs and the mortgage process in general. His experience brings considerable knowledge to Near North’s expanding Residential Sales team.

“Pedro has a comprehensive background in the real estate process and has built many strong relationships with the people in his area,” said Ray Summeier, Senior Vice President, Residential Services. “His ability to connect with clients and knowledge of the real estate industry will be an impactful benefit to Near North.”

Pedro is originally from Caracas Venezuela but resides in Miami, FL with his wife and two children. Outside of work, his hobbies include dancing, reading and going to the beach with his family.

Pedro Pinero | 786-925-0958 | ppinero@nntg.com

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Why Choose Exchange Services Group 31 Oct 2022, 4:29 pm

Exchange Services Group is a proud member of the Near North Title Group of companies. Near North is a full service title, escrow, construction and 1031 exchange company that has been offering clients a comprehensive portfolio of national commercial title services for more than 30 years.

AFFILIATION WITH NEAR NORTH TITLE GROUP

Exchange Services Group’s affiliation with Near North Title Group means one dedicated team handling your transaction from beginning to end. Partnering with Near North to facilitate title and escrow services allows Exchange Services Group to offer efficient personalized solutions for both 1031 Exchange and closing processes.

LIKE-KIND EXCHANGES

Exchange Services Group, LLC provides Qualified Intermediary services under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code §1031. This Code Section and IRS Regulations allow Exchange Services Group’s clients to sell real estate assets and acquire replacement real estate assets without recognizing a current capital gains tax liability or taxes from depreciation recapture. Exchange Services Group provides a tax-advantaged vehicle to defer gain on the sale of investment or business-use real property assets. With more than twenty years of experience in real property exchanges, Exchange Services Group understands that any like-kind exchange transaction can have a unique set of circumstances and is well-equipped to handle a variety of commercial, farm and residential exchanges, including various forms of financing.

HOW LIKE-KIND EXCHANGES WORK 

Like-kind exchanges are regulated under Internal Revenue Code §1031 and related IRS Regulations. These enable taxpayers to replace existing real property assets held for business or investment purposes with other real property assets while deferring the capital gains tax resulting from the disposition. Exchange Services Group acts as the Qualified Intermediary for the exchange of real property assets, investing the exchange funds until a replacement real property asset is acquired, thereby facilitating the exchange process.

WHY CHOOSE EXCHANGE SERVICES GROUP

Effective Tax Solutions
Our team of exchange experts is dedicated to assisting and supporting responsive and effective tax solutions for our clients’ most complex tax-deferred transactions.

Exchange Experts
Exchange Services Group has over twenty years’ experience as a Qualified Intermediary dealing in real property exchanges. We facilitate a wide array of exchanges for our customers, including:

• Single-asset Exchanges
• Multi-asset Exchanges
• Multi-state Reverse Exchanges
• Installment Agreement Exchanges
• Seller-financed Exchanges
• Replacement Property Under Construction Exchanges

Financial Security
Exchange funds are held in separate accounts and can be invested in AAA rated (S&P) money market funds that invest primarily in high quality, short-term money market instruments. Interest is calculated daily and accrued monthly to the client.

CONTACT US

John Lamberts – President, Exchange Services Group
312-419-3937 | jlamberts@nntg.com

Aukse Joiner – Executive Vice President, ESG & National Commercial Underwriting Counsel

312-621-3367 | ajoiner@nntg.com

Greg Putt – 1031 Exchange Coordinator
260-222-5548 gputt@nntg.com

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Nth Degree Featuring Samantha Marrari 26 Oct 2022, 4:33 pm

Nth Degree Featuring:

Samantha Marrari, Senior Escrow Officer

What is your role at Near North?

Senior Escrow Officer in the Lake Geneva office.

What is your professional background?

I have been a closer for 25 years!

What is your favorite thing about Near North?

I like the small company feel of Near North. (not corporate)

What is your team like?

I love the girls in my office! They are smart, helpful and fun to be around.

Which qualities do you admire most of our leadership team?

I feel like I can call any of them with questions anytime and they don’t make me feel like I’m interrupting, even though I’m sure they have more important things to do.

Personal Life/Free Time:

We camp a lot and go boating (fishing) whenever we aren’t camping. I also LOVE the ocean and travel to the ocean at least twice a year.

What do you most look forward to accomplishing at Near North?

Accomplishing the need to open a second Wisconsin office location.

What are you most excited for the rest of 2022 or in 2023 for Near North?

I’m excited to keep growing our Wisconsin operations.

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Near North Welcomes Deb Paoli 26 Sep 2022, 5:40 pm

Near North Title Group is excited to welcome industry veteran Deb Paoli as Executive Vice President and Commercial Division Manager. Deb has 30+ years of Commercial Real Estate experience. As a determined problem solver, she has successfully closed 1000+ transactions. Deb has been fortunate to have worked on an extensive collection of deal types including retail centers, redevelopment projects, industrial parks, stacked commercial condos, cannabis and wind farms. She has also underwritten transactions in the Caribbean, specializing in the Bahamas. With her experience as a seller, buyer, lender and property manager, she has the unique ability to understand the transaction in its entirety.

“Deb has an impressive record of excellence in providing commercial services and we are thrilled to have her at Near North,” said Dan Fowler, Chief Executive Officer. “She has relationships all over the country that will help us continue to grow our footprint nationally.”

Deb Paoli
dpaoli@nntg.com

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