INDUSTRY INSIGHT
TITLE INSURANCE
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WHAT MAKES THIS SMALL BUSINESS SO SPECIAL
If you live in the South Hills and / or have a social media account, you have probably seen the“ Just Closed” signs( pictured below) from friends’ pages after they bought a house. Blue Sky Closing Services, Inc. has served our area’ s real estate community since 2009 as a preferred title insurance and closing agent in the South Hills.
Katie Mannarino started this small business in a one-room office space on Industrial Boulevard, with one employee, many years ago. She has grown it into a team of 10( 15 at its max when interest rates were below 4 %) now located at 2940 South Park Road.
As a former employee of much bigger outfits, Katie experienced firsthand the hassle of being overworked and underpaid. When she opened Blue Sky, she made a commitment to herself and her staff to be a respected employer who was appreciated by the staff members and the community. She knows there is only one way to secure that kind of trust, and it’ s being honest and obsessive about details and the human element of a small business.
Blue Sky now has a loyal realtor, lender and client base, having been credited with boutique-like closing services by top producers.
Katie notes that“ post-COVID, customer service in general is very disappointing. I train my staff to be a consumer-focused customer service company that happens to sell title insurance. We have a reception person to greet every client and answer our switchboard, not an automated system; we accept calls, texts, emails and walk-ins( because we still have a brick and mortar); we have a well-stocked and delicious coffee bar, often including local treats from Bethel Bakery or Sarris Candy, for our visitors; and we treat each other and all clients like friends because we know the value of a job well-done and we want to secure repeat business.”
Blue Sky works hard to earn clients’ trust for one of their largest financial investments.
Many title companies want consumers to use an app or leave a message for a return call so that they can work remotely or let a computer handle the response. Blue Sky prefers personal contact. The staff enjoys talking to clients. They like answering their questions and making them feel comfortable with the team. They aim to be very visible to everyone who uses Blue Sky for their title and closing, and encourage people to vet their company in advance. It is an A + member of the BBB and the team is proud of its history.
At Blue Sky Closing Services, Katie has handpicked the staff and created a workspace that is pleasant, friendly and hassle-free( Also the business motto!). The team has“ family lunches” regularly and Bring- Your-Dog-to-Work days.“ We are made up mostly of city kids( Brookline or Beechview) who grew up with a certain grit that makes us fun to spend time with. We have a synergy that is contagious( we’ ve been told many times) and we love hosting buyers, sellers, realtors and lenders, and calming their nerves with light humor. It’ s our superpower to make a memorable, enjoyable closing every time.”
She adds,“ I went to college originally seeking a teaching degree, but switched to business after two years. In my role at Blue Sky, I feel blessed to help consumers learn about the closing process, constantly check( or correct) papers as I perfect the lender lien position or deed tenancy before recording, and manage my wonderful staff at our monthly team meetings. If I am not teaching, I am coaching and it’ s all very satisfying after 28 years in this industry.”
If you have a real estate transaction— with or without a realtor, with or without a lender— Blue Sky Closing Services can handle the title and closing. The team will search the local municipality and county records and make sure that the property being transferred is free and clear from any prior owner issues. They prepare all closing documents, and make sure those documents are executed properly. They record original documents, including deeds and mortgages, and issue title insurance policies that are good for the lifetime that you own a home. It’ s a onetime fee for a lifetime of protection.
2940 South Park Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102 blueskycsi. com 412.595.7263
Katie McGurk Mannarino is the President of Blue Sky Closing Services, Inc. She has closed thousands of residential and commercial real estate transactions over 25 years and is a trusted member of the real estate community. Ask your realtor about Blue Sky Closing Services, Inc.
Michael Skerbetz, Equity Resources Nicole Johns, Keller Williams
Kim Fisher, Howard Hanna
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