Nobody enters the title and escrow industry dreaming of mastering complex operational systems just to close a house. But for title agents and attorneys, that’s the reality—caught between high-tech efficiency and high-touch service.
Lean too heavily on tech, and they risk losing the personal relationships that keep clients loyal. Resist innovation, and they’ll be left behind. Tim and Andrew Hooper understand this battle better than most.
As Marketing, Sales, and Technology Trainers for FNF in the Mid-Atlantic, they don’t just sell title insurance—they help title and escrow agents thrive in a fast-changing industry.
- Tim is the visionary—a marketing powerhouse driving sales and brand awareness.
- Andrew is the strategist—an operations expert ensuring big ideas are executed with precision.
Together, they’ve built a playbook for success: Master the balance between automation and human connection. That’s the key to winning in title—today and in the future.
Two Brothers, Two Paths, One Mission
Andrew never planned on working in title. After years at Wells Fargo and JP Morgan, always on the road and away from his family, he wanted a change. Then Tim called. "I have an opportunity for you to help me run Maryland," Tim said. It was the perfect fit—Andrew could leverage his expertise in finance and operations while building something lasting, close to home.
Tim’s journey was just as unconventional. Coming from sales and coaching in the automotive industry, he understood the power of communication and customer service. When he entered title, he saw an industry stuck in outdated habits.
"You can’t shut the production line down when building cars, just like you can’t miss a closing in title," Tim realized. The stakes were just as high, but the industry wasn’t evolving fast enough.
Together, they saw their opportunity: Tim drives growth. Andrew optimizes execution.
Their mission? Help agents innovate—without losing the personal touch that builds trust.
High-Tech vs. High-Touch: The Battle for Client Loyalty
Title agents are stuck in a never-ending dilemma:
- Embrace technology to stay relevant?
- Or prioritize personal relationships to keep clients engaged?
Real estate agents have figured it out—using video, CRMs, and automation to enhance relationships. But in title? Many are lagging behind.
"Notifications aren’t enough," Tim says. "It’s not just about sending updates—it’s about making sure the consumer actually understands what’s happening." Technology should improve communication, not replace it.
Meanwhile, Andrew sees a different challenge—operational bottlenecks that slow agents down.
"People get stuck chasing perfection," he says. "They overcomplicate processes instead of streamlining them." In a world of rising fraud risks and increased client expectations, execution matters more than ever—but systems need to work smarter, not harder.
The Hoopers see the big picture: High-tech solutions promise efficiency, but they can’t replace human connection. The challenge? Using automation to enhance service, not bury it in complexity.
Innovation vs. Tradition: The Battle for Market Share
Today’s consumers expect:
- Real-time updates
- Seamless communication
- Transparency
But the title industry? It wasn’t built for that. "There’s always a shiny, techy title company offering a faster experience," Tim says. "Established agents lose business because they aren’t adapting."
But adopting technology alone isn’t the solution. "Did the consumer understand the video? Do they feel confident in the process?" Time is the real enemy. Title agents aren’t opposed to modernization—they’re just overwhelmed.
"They’re buried in backend processes," Tim explains. "It’s not that they don’t want to change, it’s that they don’t have time to figure out how." Andrew sees the deeper issue—siloed technology that doesn’t talk to each other.
"If I could snap my fingers, I’d un-silo all the tech," he says. Faster identity and payment verification would speed up transactions, but disconnected systems create inefficiencies that slow everyone down.
The risk? Agents who ignore these challenges will lose clients to competitors who figure it out first.
The solution? Balance. Leverage automation where it adds value while maintaining the personal relationships that matter.
The Key to Staying Ahead? Stay Curious.
Tim and Andrew know that staying competitive means staying curious.
"You don’t have to implement everything today," Andrew says, "but you better be watching where it’s going."
Tim believes AI will improve efficiency, but it won’t replace personal service. "Imagine a world where AI handles verification and streamlines processes, but we still make that follow-up call: ‘Did that make sense? Do you have any questions?’"
Curiosity isn’t just a habit—it’s a strategy.
- Andrew listens to the Everyday AI podcast, keeping tabs on what’s next.
- Tim taps into an elite network of industry leaders, always learning from those ahead of the curve.
They don’t claim to have all the answers—but they ask the right questions. "The ones who are bold enough to explore now will be positioned to thrive in 10, 20, even 30 years," Tim predicts.
The Future of Title: Innovate or Be Left Behind
The industry is shifting.
- Consolidation is happening.
- AI is rewriting workflows.
- Title agents must evolve—or risk being left behind.
But local expertise still matters. "As long as dirt is local, title will have a local component," Andrew says. That doesn’t mean agents can afford to ignore innovation.
Tim sees the way forward: "We have to own the conversation. We need to go direct-to-consumer and build brands that resonate." Because if title agents don’t take control, tech giants will step in—and they won’t care about personal service.
Mastering the Tension: Are You Ready?
The Hooper brothers aren’t just adapting to change—they’re leading it. They prove that the future belongs to those who master the balance between innovation and tradition. By staying proactive, communicating clearly, and leveraging the right technology, title agents can turn industry challenges into opportunities.
The question is—will you evolve with the industry, or will you be left behind?
The Growth & Scale Report is published by CloseSimple, and explores strategies for growth and tools for scaling your title or escrow company. The report emphasizes the art of balancing growth and scale, with a focus on personal and organizational success stories. It aims to share insights from industry leaders who have navigated these challenges, providing a platform for broader conversations in the business landscape.
