Northwest Title Family of Companies, Inc.

Hello Ms*** and Revdex.com: I’m sorry for the confusion regarding this tax issue. I, Scott S***, CEO of Northwest Title Family of Companies, have reviewed your transaction and talked with my staff about the situation. We are happy to work with you to find a resolution to this
situation. However, I must state that as of the date of your sale of the property, we had no way of knowing the cost of taxes for the year 2016. The Franklin County Treasurer and Auditor had not made those amounts public or “certified” by the November closing date. Each year, the new tax amounts are not available until the following month (December 2016) The tax bill that Franklin County sends out in December and is due in January collects for the 1st half of 2016. It was not until that tax bill was published that we could have known the new tax amount for this property. If we had access to the new annual tax amount that the Treasurer certified after closing ($3,997.98, the newly certified annual tax amount) the tax proration Ms*** would have credited to the Buyer would have been $3,through the date of closing. The difference between the amount paid to the buyer at closing ($4,109.39) and the new tax amount prorated is $450.04. Ms*** is also correct in suggesting that there should have been another method to better protect her “over payment” of taxes to the buyer. However, Northwest Select Title Agency does not provide legal advice to our many clients. We are neutral 3rd party that does not interfere in the negotiation of the transaction between the parties. I’m sorry you had an expectation that we would protect you through the transaction, but my staff followed our protocol for not providing legal advice. I have attached a copy of the “Additional Disclosures & Agreement for Real Estate Conveyances” that Ms*** signed at closing. Paragraph shows her acceptance that we used the “most recent tax year as provided by the County Treasurer” to calculate the proration at closing and that she will hold Northwest Select Title harmless for any changes. That being said, I can see that you raised concerns about the taxes throughout the transaction with my staff and your real estate agent. In each case, my staff quickly responded with an explanation that the new tax amount was not available and that we would prorate based on the current tax year. But I understand that this response was confusing to someone not familiar with real estate transactions Given the above and our company’s value of always treating our clients and staff as family, I would like to offer a settlement of $to make this situation feel better for Ms***. Although she signed documents holding Northwest Select Title harmless from this very situation, we want to provide some recoupment of her loss. The real estate transaction is confusing and I can see that Ms*** attempted to bring this situation to everyone’s attention without a satisfactory resolution I hope the settlement offer of $is satisfactory. Please let me know how to move forward Very truly yours, Scott S*** CEO, Northwest Title Family of Companies, IncDirect: ###-###-####

We contacted the consumer directly upon receiving this notice of a complaint being filed.  We would be more than happy to provide an identity theft policy to the consumer if they wish to respond to the email below which we sent on 8/23/2016:Dear Ms. [redacted]I received a copy of your complaint to...

the Revdex.com.  I would be happy to talk to you by phone, but I see you requested a response via email. First, I truly apologize that this has happened and your documents were just left on the sidewalk in the rain. I can’t image how that made you feel that your information was just laying out in a public place.  I am very upset with Federal Express , especially given the fact that you have a pocket on the front door marked “FedEx” and also you were home that day to receive documents.  This is not acceptable at any time for any customer whether they have a pocket on the door or not, but since you do, I don’t know why the driver did this.   I am contacting Federal Express to find out why this happened and what can be done to prevent it in the future with our other customers. Believe me, I have spoken to my staff and we will make sure that documents are signed for when we send them out unless the customer has instructed us differently. This is what our practice has always been, obviously something went awry in your case.I appreciate you bringing this to our attention, again I would be happy to talk to you if you wish.Best Wishes,Rozi D[redacted], Co-ChairmanNorthwest Select Title Agency

I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find the resolution is satisfactory to me.

[redacted] Northwest Title's CEO, and I have spoken and have come to a very satisfactory agreement. I made him aware of the events which blocked effective communication as you and I discussed. He and I are both very appreciative of the pivotal part your phone contact made in breaking down the communication barrier. Thank you.