Real Estate Paralegal

Job Title: Real Estate Paralegal

Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ

Shift: 9:00am-6:00pm M-F (Hybrid)

Pay: $60,000-$110,000+ dependent on experience

Benefits: Health, Paid Time Off, Retirement

Position Type: Direct-Hire/Permanent

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled Real Estate Paralegal with proven, hands-on experience in residential and/or commercial real estate transactions to join our North New Jersey office. This role is integral to our title insurance agency and 1031 exchange practice, supporting attorneys and senior staff throughout the full transaction lifecycle — from title search and commitment through closing, disbursement, and policy issuance. The ideal candidate brings real-world knowledge of how real estate deals are structured, funded, and closed, and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-volume.

Key Responsibilities

Title & Closing Transactions

• Manage real estate transaction files from contract through closing and post-closing.
• Review title searches, tax certificates, municipal lien searches, surveys, legal descriptions. judgment searches, and payoff letters.
• Review the lender’s closing requirements.
• Prepare and review title commitments, Schedule A and Schedule B for exceptions, and endorsement requirements.
• Prepare and review proforma policies and endorsements.
• Draft and review ALTA/TRID Settlement Statements (Closing Disclosures) for residential and commercial transactions.
• Review closing documents including, deeds, state and municipality specific transfer tax forms, loan documents, affidavits, corporate resolutions, lien waivers, and gap indemnities.
• Coordinate closings with real estate attorneys and lenders.
• Handle post-closing follow-up including document recording.

Title Curative Work

• Identify and work with counsel to clear title defects
• Coordinate with underwriting counsel on underwriting exceptions and curative strategies.
• Communicate with lienholders, taxing authorities, and courts to obtain releases, payoffs, assignment documents, and satisfactions.

1031 Exchange Support

• Assist with preparation and review of 1031 exchange documentation including exchange agreements, assignment documents, and closing instructions.
• maintain exchange tracking logs.
• Coordinate with Qualified Intermediaries and exchange clients to ensure proper fund flow and documentation.
• Maintain complete and compliant exchange files in accordance with IRS recordkeeping requirements.

Legal & Administrative Support

• Draft client correspondence and status updates.
• Prepare and file documents with county clerks, registers of deeds, and applicable state agencies.
• Maintain and update transaction management and title production software throughout the file lifecycle.
• Assist with calendar and deadline management for active transaction pipelines.

Required Qualifications

Real Estate Experience — Required

• Minimum 2–4 years of direct, hands-on experience in real estate closings, title insurance, or a real estate law firm environment — this is a strict prerequisite.
• Must have independently managed real estate transaction files from contract through post-closing, including preparation of settlement statements and closing packages.
• Working knowledge of the full closing process: title search, commitment review, curative work, closing coordination, fund disbursement, recording, and policy issuance.
• Familiarity with residential purchase, refinance, and sale transactions; commercial closing experience is a strong plus.
• Understanding of lender requirements, title insurance underwriting guidelines, and RESPA/TRID compliance.

General Qualifications

• Proficiency with title production software TrackerPro or similar and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple active files simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor with clients, lenders, and counsel.
• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with IRS Section 1031 exchange transactions and Qualified Intermediary coordination.
• Multi-state closing experience, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic or Northeastern U.S.
• Knowledge of ALTA Best Practices and escrow account compliance.
• Notary Public license
• Experience with commercial and residential real estate transactions including purchase/sale, financing, or lease assignments.