Buying or selling a lake home or condo in Vacationland? The Vacationland Ohio Team works with Trilogy Title Agency for title and escrow, from Port Clinton and Catawba Island to Marblehead, Put-in-Bay, Sandusky, Huron and Vermilion. Trilogy’s settlement team handles every step from title search to closing day. Your main contact is Jennifer Schultz, Client Relations, at 440-371-4043.

Send a Purchase Agreement Call Jennifer Schultz: 440-371-4043

Your Trilogy Title Settlement & Escrow Team

Send all purchase agreements to: orders@trilogytitleagency.com

Trilogy’s Offices

• Westlake office: 2035 Crocker Road, Suite 104, Westlake, OH 44145
• Independence office: 6300 Rockside Road, Suite 304, Independence, OH 44131

Many Vacationland buyers live in Greater Cleveland or out of state and buy a lake home as a second home. Ask Jennifer about closing arrangements that fit your schedule and where you live. Learn more at trilogytitleagency.com.

What a Title Company Does

A title company makes sure the home you are buying can be transferred to you free of surprises, and that every dollar moves safely at closing. Trilogy Title Agency handles:

• Title search and examination: reviewing public records for liens, judgments, easements and ownership issues, and resolving them before closing.
• Title insurance: an owner’s policy protects you, and a lender’s policy protects your mortgage lender, against covered title problems found later.
• Escrow: holding earnest money and closing funds and releasing them only when everyone has signed off.
• Closing and settlement: preparing the settlement statement, deed and closing documents and running the signing.
• Recording and disbursement: recording the deed with the Ottawa or Erie County Recorder and paying off the seller’s mortgage, agents and other parties.

Trilogy also handles refinance closings and commercial title and escrow. The company is led by CEO William T. Schill, an Ohio real estate attorney with more than 30 years of experience.

What’s Different About Lake and Island Closings

• Easements and shoreline: lakefront, lagoon and island lots can carry access easements, shared driveways, dock rights or shoreline structures. The title commitment shows recorded easements and exceptions, so read it closely.
• Condo and HOA payoffs: many Catawba Island and Marblehead communities have association fees (the Ottawa County condo median is about $405 a month). The title company requests payoff and transfer information from the association before closing.
• Rentals already booked: if a seller has vacation-rental bookings after closing, the contract should say whether they transfer and how deposits are handled at settlement.
• Island timing: on Put-in-Bay, Kelleys and Middle Bass, inspections, appraisals and final walk-throughs run on ferry schedules, so allow extra time before closing.

How Closing Works in Vacationland

1. Purchase agreement signed. Your agent sends the signed contract to orders@trilogytitleagency.com to open title.
2. Earnest money deposited. Deposit your earnest money with the title company as your contract requires; Trilogy accepts secure online deposits.
3. Title search and commitment. Trilogy searches the title and issues a commitment showing anything that must be cleared before closing.
4. HOA or condo documents. For homes in an association, the title company requests payoff and transfer information from the HOA or condo association. See our Catawba Island HOA & condo directory.
5. Loan approval and clear to close. Trilogy coordinates with your lender, agents and any attorneys so documents and figures are ready. See our mortgage calculator and financing page.
6. Final figures and funds. You receive your settlement statement. Trilogy asks that wire transfers be started at least 48 hours before settlement.
7. Closing day. Sign your documents with Trilogy. Ask Jennifer about the signing arrangements that work best for you.
8. Recording and keys. The deed is recorded with Ottawa or Erie County, funds are disbursed and your title policy is issued.

Protect Yourself From Wire Fraud

Criminals target real estate closings with fake emails that change wiring instructions. Before you send any money, call Trilogy at a number you already know, such as Trilogy’s main line, 216-393-6006, to confirm the instructions. Never rely on wiring instructions sent only by email, and call your agent right away if anything looks different.

Trilogy Heroes Program

Trilogy’s Heroes Program offers discounts on title and escrow services for home purchases by military members and veterans (including surviving spouses), police, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, physicians, nurses, and pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, administrators and counselors. The program applies to home purchases only, not refinances. Ask Trilogy or our team for details.

Tools for Buyers and Sellers

• Get a title and closing cost quote
• Seller net sheet
• Place a title order
• Vacationland mortgage calculator and financing
• Free Vacationland Community Resource Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a title company do when buying a lake home in Vacationland?

The title company searches public records to confirm the seller can transfer clear ownership, issues title insurance, holds earnest money and closing funds in escrow, prepares the closing documents, runs the closing and records the deed with the Ottawa or Erie County Recorder. Our team uses Trilogy Title Agency.

Do I need owner’s title insurance on a second home?

Yes, it’s worth considering for any home. Your lender will require a lender’s policy, but that protects only the lender. An owner’s policy protects your ownership for as long as you own the home, whether it’s a full-time residence, a summer place or a rental. Who pays for each policy is set in your purchase agreement, so ask your agent and Trilogy for a quote.

Can I close on a Vacationland home if I live out of the area?

Yes. Many lake-home buyers live in Greater Cleveland, Columbus or out of state. Talk with Jennifer Schultz at Trilogy early about how and where you’ll sign, so documents and funds are ready on time.

How do I send closing funds safely?

Call Trilogy at a known phone number to confirm wiring instructions before sending money, and start your wire at least 48 hours before closing. Never trust wiring instructions that arrive only by email.

Can I choose a different title company?

Yes. You are always free to choose your own title company. We recommend Trilogy because its team communicates quickly and works closely with ours to keep closings on schedule.

Ready to Buy or Sell in Vacationland?

Call the Vacationland Ohio Team at 419-504-1500 or contact us. For title and escrow questions, call Jennifer Schultz at Trilogy Title Agency, 440-371-4043.

Title and escrow services are provided by Trilogy Title Agency, not by the Vacationland Ohio Team. The Vacationland Ohio Team / Keller Williams Citywide may refer clients to Trilogy; you are not required to use any particular title company. Program details, services and contacts are from Trilogy Title Agency (October 2026) and may change.