Like so many in title, Brooke Volkert never planned on being here. She was working as a receptionist at a hair salon when a client caught her attention—always coming from a business meeting, always out in the world making things happen. That energy was contagious. She wanted in.
An internship selling title insurance led to a full-time role. Then another. Four and a half years later, she was deep in the industry, building relationships with real estate agents and loan officers, helping them navigate closings—and realizing just how much title had yet to modernize.
Now, as a Customer Success Manager at CloseSimple, she’s part of that push forward. Not just in technology, but in the way title companies operate, communicate, and evolve.
Ask people about innovation in title, and they’ll talk about AI, automation, integrations. But Brooke points to something far simpler: the webcam.
For decades, title was built on face-to-face interactions. That meant thousands of hours—and dollars—spent driving to meetings. Coffee shop check-ins. In-office visits. Training sessions. Mileage reimbursements piling up.
And then, suddenly, everything changed.
“When title companies started using webcams for internal meetings, team building, and customer check-ins, it eliminated the need for so much wasted time and travel,” Brooke says. “You could schedule more meetings in a day and have more meaningful connections without ever leaving your office.”
It wasn’t just an improvement—it was a shift in how title professionals worked.
“Closers spend half their day driving to and from appointments,” she explains. “Beyond the cost and inefficiency, just being on the road is risky. Now, you can build strong relationships without wasting time and money.”
And for the next generation? Remote collaboration isn’t optional—it’s expected.
“If title wants to stay relevant and recruit Gen Z, it needs to embrace flexibility,” she says. “Younger professionals expect modern technology. If title companies don’t adapt, they’re going to struggle to bring in new talent.”
The biggest shift coming to title isn’t just about technology. It’s about who’s leading it.
“Right now, most leadership positions in title are held by men, even though the workforce is overwhelmingly female,” Brooke says. “And the people buying houses today aren’t just white, middle-class families. If the industry is going to thrive, it needs to reflect the people it serves.”
That means more women in leadership. More diversity at every level. And a shift in how title attracts talent—moving from an industry people stumble into to one they actively choose.
“The title industry has a reputation for overworking, underpaying, and offering little flexibility,” she says. “If we want to bring in the next generation, we have to redefine what a career in title looks like. People need to see a future here—mentorship, growth opportunities, and real purpose behind the work they do.”
Because title isn’t just paperwork. At its core, it’s about protecting homeownership.
“We need to reframe the narrative,” Brooke says. “Instead of just talking about title as ‘checking documents and closing deals,’ we need to highlight the bigger mission: helping people protect their homes, their investments, their futures.”
If Brooke could fix just one thing, it would be the uncertainty around closing dates.
“There’s nothing more frustrating than having your closing date pushed back because you’re waiting on documents,” she says. “The average buyer expects instant gratification in everything else. Why should real estate closings feel like this outdated, slow-moving process?”
She envisions a system where the closing date is set at the start of the transaction—and it sticks. No more scrambling. No more rescheduling.
“The technology exists to make this happen,” she says. “If you can get instantly approved for a mortgage or credit card, why can’t we automate and streamline closings the same way?”
Over the next five years, Brooke sees title becoming more efficient, transparent, and customer-friendly.
“The way title companies interact with consumers, lenders, and real estate agents is changing,” she says. “The ones that succeed will be the ones that make the process easier, not harder.”
As title moves into the next few decades, Brooke sees two paths:
“Younger professionals expect purpose-driven work, technology, and efficiency,” Brooke says. “No one is choosing title right now—they’re just falling into it. That has to change.”
Because the future of title isn’t just about transactions. It’s about building a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking industry that people actually want to be part of.
And it starts now.
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.