Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of stories on new businesses, expansions and transitions within Knox County. Look for more stories on a weekly basis.
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A new Wausa business is playing a vital role in real estate transactions across the area, especially in Knox County.
Tri-County Abstract, Title, & Escrow LLC was previously located in Creighton and owned by licensed title agent and registered abstractor Jenny Smith. A team of investors purchased the company and initially ran it remotely until last September when a storefront was opened in downtown Wausa. Shelby West was hired at that time as the office manager.
Tri-County has always worked with transactions in Knox, Antelope and Cedar counties, but they’ve moved into the Dixon County market as well with one of the employees being from the Ponca area.
West and her husband, Joe, moved back to Wausa in 2012 after living in Phoenix. With two young children, they wanted to raise their family in Knox County. Madison is now 20 and Sienna is 18.
West has been involved with real estate over the years, but not in this capacity, which has made the position a fun learning experience.
“There’s a lot of paperwork, but it’s an enjoyable field,” she said. “It’s fun to see a family purchasing their first home. You work closely with realtors, bankers, lenders, attorneys — all kinds of people.'
As a title and abstract company, Tri-County searches the title history for the property to ensure the title is clear for the purchaser. They also offer title commitments and closings. If a property is sold privately, the closing is often done there.
“There’s a lot to buying and selling a property, especially if they want to be safe about it and make sure it’s a clear title. You don’t want to purchase something and find out down the line someone else owns part of it or there was a marriage dispute or something like that,” she said. “It gives them a peace of mind that the property is clean and can be sold.” West said there’s a lot of paperwork through the process. She spends a lot of time searching purchases and going through legal documents within the courthouses — some online and some in person, depending on how the counties have them filed. Located at 500 E Broadway St. in Wausa, West said she’s excited to help with property sales, whether it’s through a realtor or a private sale.
“We want people to know there’s a title company here in Wausa that can help them close on properties,” she said. “Selling a property on your own is difficult because there’s a lot of paperwork. You want to legally do everything right, so it’s nice having someone to help with that.”
