PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert County Department of Economic Development hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for Eagle Title’s new office, signaling the firm’s entry into the local real estate support network at 995 N. Prince Frederick Blvd., Suite 109.
Attendees gathered outside the Market Square Retail Center off Route 4 to mark the Nov. 12 event, which celebrated the provider’s focus on title examinations and settlement closings for residential and commercial transactions. Eagle Title, part of a regional network handling property transfers, occupies a space across from Calvert Memorial Hospital and near the county library and Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center, with 80 parking spots and two conference rooms equipped for client meetings.
The office supports home purchases, refinances, home equity lines and loan modifications in residential deals, alongside full-service closings for commercial properties of varying scales. Builders receive assistance from contract review through final settlements. Zanna Clayton serves as the settlement officer, overseeing document preparation and coordination with lenders and attorneys to ensure compliance with Maryland real estate standards.
In Maryland, title services involve searching public records for liens, easements or ownership disputes that could cloud property transfers, issuing policies to insure buyers and lenders against future claims. Settlement, or closing, finalizes the sale by executing deeds, calculating prorated taxes and disbursing funds, typically within 30 to 60 days of contract ratification under the Real Property Article of state code. Consumers hold the right to select their settlement agent, free from lender pressure, as outlined in the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and reinforced by the Maryland Department of Labor’s guidelines.
The Department of Economic Development organizes such ceremonies to spotlight business expansions, following a checklist that includes invitations to commissioners, photography and media alerts. This year alone, the department facilitated multiple events, including double ribbon cuttings in early November for retail additions and a grand opening for a manufacturing site. These gatherings promote networking among real estate agents, who often refer clients to title firms for efficient closings.
Eagle Title’s presence fills a practical need in a county where residential permits issued 450 single-family homes through mid-2025, driven by demand near the Patuxent River and Route 4 corridors. Commercial growth, including office and retail builds, added 120,000 square feet of leasable space downtown, per county planning data. Settlement services streamline these processes by verifying chain of title — the recorded history of ownership — and handling escrow for earnest money deposits, which average 1 to 2 percent of sale prices in Calvert.
Under Maryland law, settlements require licensed title producers to file deeds with the clerk of the circuit court within 15 days, paying recording fees of $60 for the first page plus $20 each additional. Title insurance premiums, regulated at $3.75 per $1,000 of coverage up to $100,000, protect indefinitely against defects like forged deeds or undisclosed heirs. Lenders mandate their own policies, costing about $200 more, while owner policies safeguard personal investments.
The firm’s website details its Southern Maryland operations, emphasizing secure digital closings compliant with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, allowing remote notarizations since 2020 expansions. This option suits buyers in dispersed communities like Huntingtown or Dunkirk, where traffic on Route 4 can delay in-person meetings.
Calvert’s economic framework supports such ventures through the Business Assistance Program, offering grants up to $5,000 for facade improvements or signage, though Eagle Title’s modern setup in the retail center likely qualifies for promotional tie-ins. The department tracks expansions via annual reports, noting 25 new or relocated firms in 2025, contributing to a 2.1 percent job growth rate tied to professional services.
Real estate professionals in the county, numbering over 300 active agents per the Southern Maryland Association of Realtors, rely on vetted title partners to mitigate risks like survey discrepancies or zoning violations. In a market where homes pend in 14 days on average, timely settlements prevent chain reactions in multi-offer scenarios.
The ribbon cutting underscores Calvert’s appeal as a business hub, with its 105-square-mile footprint blending agriculture and suburban development. Established in 1654, the county’s planning office enforces setback rules and environmental reviews under the Critical Area Act for waterfront properties, ensuring sustainable growth. Eagle Title’s role extends to these reviews, flagging tidal wetland issues that affect 40 percent of listings near the Chesapeake Bay.
For clients, the process begins with a title order post-contract, followed by a commitment report outlining exceptions like utility easements. At closing, parties sign in the presence of a notary, with funds wired via ACH transfers under federal safeguards. Post-settlement, the firm records documents and disburses payoffs, closing loops on mortgages averaging $350,000 locally.
This addition bolsters options in a sector where volume hit 1,200 closings countywide in fiscal 2025, per state land records. As rates hold steady, experts anticipate 5 percent appreciation through year-end, buoyed by infrastructure like the upcoming Route 4 widening project.
The Department of Economic Development invites inquiries at 410-535-1600, while Eagle Title operates weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.