From Wire Fraud to 1031s: How Title Companies Secure Your Deals, with John Duckworth, co-founder and Managing Partner of True Title, LLC

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.Connect with Raj TutTwitter: ⁠twitter.com/ItsRajTut LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajtut/ Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/ItsRajTut TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrajtutConnect with the Guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/johnduckworth/https://truetitle.comTimestamps for Key Segments00:00 Real estate transactions and wire fraud risks02:12 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 adviceThis podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region, or another part of MO/IL, please email [email protected] with us at our Website: https://storyboardliving.com/ LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storyboard-living/Connect with the Host