HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-144-E County Atty - Jones Properties title work.docxDocuSign Envelope ID: 9ACFDDB7- F1D3- 4EOC- A8CD- 2F922C881EFA
April 16, 2018
John Roberts, Esquire
Orange County Attorney
P.Q. Box 8181
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
VIA EMAIL DELIVERY
RE: Engagement For Legal Services: Jones Properties
Dear Mr. Roberts:
We are pleased to represent Orange County in performing title searches on the above
referenced properties (the "Transaction "). If agreeable to the County, this letter establishes the
terms of our engagement.
Title Search & Title Insurance
The properties to be searched for the Transaction include eleven parcels identified as
having Orange County PINs 9854084152, 9854084057, 9854084115, 9858839885, 9858931677,
9858931251, 9858829528, 9858838475, 9858837702, 9858826955, and 9858 -83 -954
(collectively the "Property "). We will perform a title search on the Property. The nature of that
search may take on many one of two forms, depending upon whether or not the title has previously
been insured. If the title has not been previously insured, a search of the public records for a period
of time satisfactory to the title insurance company will be required. If the title has previously been
insured, we can obtain coverage for the County by having the title examined from the effective
date of that coverage to the present. The process of performing only a limited title search is what
is known as "tacking ". If we tack to an existing title insurance policy, the County will be relying
on its policy of title insurance and not our having actually examined the public records for any
matter affecting title prior to the date of the existing policy of title insurance to which we tacked.
Therefore, absent your timely objection, we will determine if title insurance coverage exists on the
4011 universay drive, suire300, durbam, nc27707 • post ffice bax515'9, durham, nr17717 -1579
TELEPHONE 9194900500 FAX 919 490 08 73 • u'ww.kennoncraver,com
Revised 10/17
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April 16, 2018
John Roberts, Esquire
Orange County Attorney
P.Q. Box 8181
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
VIA EMAIL DELIVERY
RE: Engagement For Legal Services: Jones Properties
Dear Mr. Roberts:
We are pleased to represent Orange County in performing title searches on the above
referenced properties (the "Transaction "). If agreeable to the County, this letter establishes the
terms of our engagement.
Title Search & Title Insurance
The properties to be searched for the Transaction include eleven parcels identified as
having Orange County PINs 9854084152, 9854084057, 9854084115, 9858839885, 9858931677,
9858931251, 9858829528, 9858838475, 9858837702, 9858826955, and 9858 -83 -954
(collectively the "Property "). We will perform a title search on the Property. The nature of that
search may take on many one of two forms, depending upon whether or not the title has previously
been insured. If the title has not been previously insured, a search of the public records for a period
of time satisfactory to the title insurance company will be required. If the title has previously been
insured, we can obtain coverage for the County by having the title examined from the effective
date of that coverage to the present. The process of performing only a limited title search is what
is known as "tacking ". If we tack to an existing title insurance policy, the County will be relying
on its policy of title insurance and not our having actually examined the public records for any
matter affecting title prior to the date of the existing policy of title insurance to which we tacked.
Therefore, absent your timely objection, we will determine if title insurance coverage exists on the
4011 universay drive, suire300, durbam, nc27707 • post ffice bax515'9, durham, nr17717 -1579
TELEPHONE 9194900500 FAX 919 490 08 73 • u'ww.kennoncraver,com
Revised 10/17
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9ACFDDB7- F1D3- 4EOC- A8CD- 2F922C881EFA
Property and, if so, have the public records examined only from the date of that coverage to the
present. In other words, absent your timely objection, we will "tack" to that existing policy of title
insurance. This procedure will enable us to keep the County's costs to a minimum while, at the
same time, providing full title insurance coverage for the County. You should be advised that title
insurance, while a valuable insurance coverage, does not cover any and all damage that may arise
from a title defect. Title insurance also does not necessarily provide immediate relief in the form
of the payment of a claim given title insurers have a reasonable time to correct defects in title
which the insurer reasonably believes can be corrected. What constitutes a "reasonable time"
depends upon the nature of the defect. Assuming title is insurable, we will obtain a title insurance
policy in favor of the County in the amount of the purchase price for the Property. The County
will be responsible for the payment of the title insurance premium at closing.
Please be aware that matters of zoning and environmental matters are not included in a
standard title search. We, as closing attorneys, do not provide any opinion as to the environmental
condition of the Property. Please notify me immediately if the County requires additional
information or assistance concerning these two issues. Zoning laws affect setbacks and use
requirements to name a few. Environmental hazards include, but are not limited to, the existence
of radon gas, lead -based paint, underground storage tanks and asbestos.
We will either use the survey commissioned by the County for this transaction, if any, or
the description of the Property included in the current vesting deeds as the legal description for the
Property. We recommend the County obtain a new survey of the Property during its due diligence
if it has not already done so. A survey may show title encumbrances and defects such as existing
encroachments onto or from neighboring properties, legal description gaps and overlaps, and other
matters "on the ground" that would not otherwise be discovered during our title search of the public
records. The legal description will be used to describe the boundaries of the Property in the deed
conveying the Property to the County (the "Deed "). I understand the County does not require our
assistance with negotiating or drafting any portion of the purchase agreement for the Property.
Legal Fees & ,Expenses
This engagement is specifically limited to: (1) performing the title search; (2) preparing the
title opinion; (3) applying for title insurance (if available and if requested); and (4) disusing any
title issues discovered during the title search with the County. Please be aware that additional
work necessary to resolve significant title defects, significant work related to locating heirs or
resolving estate issues related to the property in the chain of title, etc., may require work beyond
the scope of this letter and cost in excess of the "not to exceed" fee listed below. In the event the
County requires representation prior to closing or additional legal work not referenced in this letter
becomes necessary, then we may perform such work at the County's specific request under an
amendment to this agreement at our normal hourly rates.
We will bill the County at a discounted hourly rate of $250 for time spent by firm attorneys
on the Transaction and $110 per hour for time spent by paralegals on the Transaction. Our legal
fees for performing the legal work outlined herein will not exceed $6,000.00. We will may bill
the County on a interim basis or collect all fees at the conclusion of the work depending on the
circumstances. In addition to the foregoing hourly fees, the County will be responsible for payment
kennon craver, pllc
4011 suite _300, dm bam, w27707 • p.t frr box 515'9. durha., -2,717-15 ,9
TELEPHONE 9194900500 FAX 919490087_3 6 wwwkermorr m —com
Revised 10/17
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9ACFDDB7- F1D3- 4EOC- A8CD- 2F922C881EFA
of any expenses incurred by our firm in connection with the closing such as express mail charges,
recording charges, mileage for travel, and wire fees each and all of which will be set out on our
invoice(s). Please understand that we must charge for all work performed even if this transaction
fails for any reason.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding this letter.
look forward to working with you on this transaction,
f
,Sificerely,
DocuSigned by:
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OR r E FIRM /zols
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AGREED AND ACCEPTED this day of 2018,
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Orange - .,,
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By: >J41n l/t lt, cu�1rY5
Title: 0837994B755E477...
Revised 10/17
kennon 3craver, pllc
9011 - -ar'vt ,d .. a, r: it, 300, dxrham, nr 27,707 • par offrrr beer 515 79, dnrhnm, n,27717 1579
TELEPHONE 9194900.500 FAX919 490 087 3 • ww.4t oncraaex.rm -n