By Paul Stine, CEO at CloseSimple
I just got back from the SoftPro User Group conference, and I’ll say this: there’s no better way to get a real pulse on the title industry than by spending a few days with the title agents, operators, escrow team members, attorneys, and technologists that live it every single day. SPUG wasn’t just a software conference—it was a full-on reminder of what makes this industry tick: grit, community, and a ton of good times over coffee, cocktails, and the sounds of Nashville.
Upon reflection on last week, here are five things that stood out:
The market’s been up, down, sideways, and backwards lately, but the people I talked with were unshaken. The vibe was less “panic” and more “roll-up-your-sleeves.” These are business owners and operators building sustainable, adaptable companies, not just waiting for volume to return, but driving their success in their markets while preparing to thrive no matter what comes next.
Yes, everyone’s getting creative with their SoftPro configurations - I witnessed a ton of aha moments - finding new efficiencies and maximizing what they’ve already got. But beyond that, there’s a push to improve operations, train teams better, and take a hard look at workflows. It’s not just about doing more with less. It’s about doing better, period.
A huge learning for me last week is that people are hungry for collaboration. A lot of title companies still feel like they’re on an island, not sharing ideas because of perceived competition. But when I brought up the idea of connecting with non-competing peers, people’s eyes lit up. Everyone I talked is eager to learn from others—and to share what’s working. If this is you, and you want help getting connected, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
There’s no shortage of tech or consultants out there. But what title companies want—what they need—are partners who get their actual existence, their actual team, and their actual clients. People aren’t afraid to invest, but they’re getting pickier. If you’re not listening and evolving, you’re getting replaced.
At CloseSimple, we say the title world is kind of like The Olive Garden—when you’re here, you’re family. And SPUG proved that over and over again. The events were a blast, the conversations were real, and the energy was contagious. This is a people-first industry, and that shows up in every handshake, laugh, and late-night karaoke session
Final Takeaways:
If you were at SPUG, I’d love to hear what stood out to you. And if you weren’t, let’s talk—I’d be happy to fill you in on what this industry’s brightest minds are focused on right now. You can reach out to me directly at paul@closesimple.com.
Until then, keep building. We’ve got this.