How many trees does it take to make a closing?

Everyone is gathered for the last step toward finalizing the purchase of a new home or completing a mortgage refinancing--the closing! Your closing agent enters the conference room with a thick file and sizeable stack of documents for signing. Generally, someone at the closing table will comment that it certainly doesn't appear that we live in a "paperless" society, in spite of publicity--as closing agents, we have laughed too many times at this ironic truth!

For perspective: When all components of one closing transaction are complete, in this office alone, we will have consumed upwards of 250 sheets of paper. In February 2008, there were approximately 182 real estate closings in Cumberland County, Maine (www.mainelistings.com). At 250 sheets per closing, that is a total of 45,500 pieces of paper used by title companies alone to finalize purchase and mortgage refinance transactions for one month in one county. That figure is staggering enough; but, what if we were to multiply by state-wide and nation-wide transactions? The numbers would be astounding.

Atlantic Title Company takes this impact on our natural resources very seriously, and we have committed to making our footprint as small as possible on the environment. Too many trees have been sacrificed at our hands already! After extensive research, collective brainstorming, and effort by everyone here at ATC to devise and implement change and new procedures, we are proud to list the following "green" initiatives:

• Use of recycled copy and printer paper only
• Borrowers, purchasers, brokers, and mortgage lenders can order title work and closing services 24/7 from Atlantic Title Company on-line. Our website includes an interactive request form that transmits to us electronically (see the green "Order Closing" box at the bottom left column of our home page)
• Our paperless faxing system allows us to receive and send faxes from our desktops--copies and transmittal cover sheets generate electronically--no paper involved
• After closing, we offer copies of closing documents in an interactive CD-Rom format as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional paper copies
• Whenever possible, copies required by mortgage lenders after closing are provided on CD-Rom, instead of traditional paper
• Atlantic Title is an authorized and trained closing agent for e-closings, a primarily paperless transaction
• In September, 2007, Atlantic Title Company filed the first documents to be "e-Recorded" in the State of Maine in Kennebec County. Executed documents to be recorded from closings are transmitted in an image format and legally formalized, eliminating traditional paper methods

The number of pieces of paper used in the course of our transactions has been reduced substantially, but there is more work to do. We are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to reduce our reliance on and consumption of paper, allowing more of our precious resources to survive and flourish. When there is an obstacle in the way of solutions, we often use the old saying, "think outside the box." That's just what we are doing at Atlantic Title; and the "box" is ALWAYS recycled!

All suggestions, comments or questions about our "greener" workplace are welcome.