John Duckworth, co-founder and Managing Partner of True Title, shares his journey from running a fireworks stand as a teenager to building the largest locally owned title company in St. Louis. With over 20 years of experience, John has grown True Title to 17 branches across Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado while earning recognition for innovation and client-focused service. His entrepreneurial background, combined with hands-on real estate investing, shaped his unique perspective on risk management and customer experience in the title industry.

In this episode, John discusses the critical role title companies play in real estate transactions, from issuing title insurance to acting as a trusted escrow agent. He highlights the growing threat of wire fraud, the importance of communication in client service, and why profit-sharing and local ownership are key to company culture and growth. John also breaks down construction disbursements, 1031 exchanges, and the impact of technology on scaling operations. Listeners will gain practical tips to protect their investments and insights into what truly differentiates a great title company.

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https://truetitle.com

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00 Real estate transactions and wire fraud risks

02:12 Introduction to John Duckworth and True Title

03:17 John’s childhood and entrepreneurial family background

05:24 Running a fireworks stand through college

06:42 Early real estate investing and buying a trailer park

09:06 Entering the title industry and early lessons

11:56 Founding True Title after the Great Recession

13:50 Growing to 17 branches and scaling operations

14:08 What title agencies do: insurance and escrow explained

17:54 Differences in property law between states

19:09 Escrow as a neutral third party

20:24 Who engages a title company in transactions

21:30 Challenging commercial deals and title claims

23:48 Construction disbursements and protecting contractors

25:10 1031 exchanges and tax deferral strategies

28:24 Managing operations and KPIs across 17 offices

30:50 Building culture, core values, and profit sharing

34:16 Importance of local ownership vs. national firms

36:15 How technology enables growth and security

38:24 Tips to avoid fraud and protect clients

41:06 What happens when wire fraud occurs

43:41 Deepfake scams and financial crime risks

44:23 What to look for in title reports and exceptions

46:47 Easements, mineral rights, and water rights explained

49:02 What differentiates a good title company

51:05 Staffing structure across different offices

52:53 Future plans for True Title and expansion strategy

55:11 John’s greatest piece of advice

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