For more than two decades, Michael Trowbridge has worked across nearly every role in the title industry. From preparing settlement statements in the early days to overseeing 10 states as a regional manager for Westcor, he’s had a front-row seat to the industry's evolution. And if there’s one thing he’s certain about, it’s this: the title and escrow industry is racing toward the beginning of the transaction, and those who streamline the front-end process will win.
Ask Trowbridge what outdated practice he’d like to see disappear, and his answer is immediate: PDFs.
“The fact that we’re still emailing PDFs back and forth, hand-typing data, and manually entering orders is mind-blowing,” he says. “We have the technology to eliminate this inefficiency, yet too many companies are still doing things the way they always have.”
For him, innovation in title isn’t just about adopting flashy new tools—it’s about fundamentally changing how the industry works. That starts with automating data intake and reducing the manual labor required to process transactions. Instead of a real estate agent emailing a purchase contract as a static document that multiple people then manually enter into systems, the goal should be a seamless digital process that instantly reads and processes the contract’s data, kicking off the title order with no human intervention.
“The purchase contract is the beginning of everything,” he explains. “If we can automate that first step, we eliminate so much back-and-forth, and title companies can focus on what really matters—serving their customers.”
Beyond automation, Trowbridge sees a future where transparency is key. Consumers today expect clarity in every transaction, yet title fees remain one of the biggest unknowns in a home purchase.
“We’ve got to be upfront about pricing. Consumers should know exactly what their costs will be before they ever get to the closing table,” he says. “The more transparent we are, the more confidence we build in our industry.”
He envisions a future where real-time tracking—similar to Domino’s Pizza with their pizza tracker, or Amazon with real-time delivery updates—becomes standard. Borrowers and real estate agents shouldn’t have to chase down updates. Instead, they should be able to see where their transaction stands at any moment, just like tracking an Amazon package.
Looking ahead, Trowbridge predicts that title agencies will increasingly rely on automation to handle back-office work, allowing them to focus on building relationships and growing their businesses.
“Title companies want to reduce overhead and increase margins, and technology will allow them to do that,” he says. “The underwriters and tech vendors who make it easier for title agents to operate will be the ones who win.”
But the biggest shift, he believes, will come from changing consumer expectations.
“In 20 years, will buyers even care about sitting at a closing table? These are people like my 16-year-old daughter, who grew up with subscription services and one-click purchases,” he points out. “The way we close real estate transactions will have to adapt to them, not the other way around.”
Despite his strong push for innovation, Trowbridge believes success in the industry isn’t just about technology—it’s about people.
“I don’t have all the answers, and I never will,” he says. “I lean on my team. We hire great people for a reason, and I make sure they have a voice in shaping our strategy.”
That collaborative mindset was shaped early in his career, thanks to a competitor who unexpectedly gave him an opportunity.
“The late Sam Halkias, who worked at a competing underwriter, put my name forward for a leadership role on the Ohio Land Title Association board,” he recalls. “He didn’t have to do that. But he believed in paying it forward, and that stuck with me. Now, I try to do the same.”
For Trowbridge, the future of title isn’t just about better technology—it’s about smarter, more efficient, and more transparent ways of working. The companies that recognize this and embrace change today will be the ones leading the industry tomorrow.
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.