5 minute read
January 2023 ~ Partner Spotlight
Maria Coutu and Christina Tatum, Atlantic Coast Title & Escrow
A Different Breed
By Zachary Cohen
When Maria Coutu founded Atlantic Coast Title and Escrow in 2018, she did so with a clear vision — to create a title company rooted in service and customer care. For Maria, that meant ditching the old model for title companies and implementing a more hands-on, approachable business model. Partner and friend Christina Tatum joined Maria in business two years later, and the pair now leads the company side by side.
Over the last five years, Maria and Christina’s concierge-level approach has helped Atlantic Coast Title and Escrow become one of Jacksonville’s most reputable brands.
The Atlantic Coast Title & Escrow Team: Maria, Christina, Cat Pierce (Chief Operating Officer), and Emily Davis, (Executive Assistant).
“We are female-owned, attorney-owned, mom-owned,” Maria says. “We’re personal and family-oriented, hands-on and concierge.”
BEGINNINGS: MARIA
Maria began her legal career as a personal injury attorney and practiced civil litigation in the five years leading up to the founding of Atlantic Coast Title and Escrow. In 2018, Maria took the next step in her career, transitioning into the title business and founding her own company.
From day one, Maria intended to provide concierge-level title and escrow services. She makes herself available directly to her clients and partners, meaning there is always an attorney ready to solve problems and deal with concerns.
“We believe a title company’s role is to facilitate the transaction, making sure it’s done legally and correctly and everyone has a really good closing experience. We always try to make it work. We bend over backwards to make it work. We stay flexible and accessible.”
GROWING THE TEAM
After two years, Maria and Atlantic Coast Title and Escrow became so busy that Maria needed help.
“I had my son, the market was taking off, and Christina was transitioning out of her position at the time. I begged her to come, and she joined the company,” Maria reflects.
Christina and Maria were former law school students together. In the years since, Christina worked in insurance, as a law school professor, and in criminal defense. She had ties to the real estate business through her husband, so she agreed to join Maria.
“It was an easy transition. My husband is in the business, and the REALTORS® he works with are like family to us. It was fun to jump on board and join Maria,” Christina explains. “Every day I have the privilege to work alongside some of the best people I know who also just happen to be great REALTORS®, and I’ll never take that for granted.”
BUILT ON VALUE
Maria and her husband, Steven, have a three-yearold, Smith. Christina and her husband, Tyler, have a three-year-old, Parker, and another baby on the way. As working moms and businesswomen, Maria and Christina understand the challenges their clients face.
“We get that people have schedules, so we’ll come in early, stay late — whatever it takes,” Maria explains. “The biggest thing is staying grounded in the fact that life happens. Not everything is going to fit into a square hole. Not every transaction will be the same, and we have to make it work. We’re the middle person holding everyone’s hand and helping them reach the end goal, so we work in a professional way, with integrity and trust.”
“At the end of the day, it’s about treating everyone with respect and going the extra mile. Transactions can be stressful on all parties — agents, lenders, buyers, and sellers. So our values are to be kind, work hard, and do whatever it takes to make sure everyone has a great closing,” Christina adds. “Kindness goes a long way.”
As the real estate market shifts, Maria and Christina are doubling down on their approach. They believe their concierge-style offering is a winner in the real estate market and are looking ahead to many more years of success. They hope to grow the business, but only as long as they can maintain the quality of service they offer today.
“We don’t want to be too big, but we do want to be the best,” Christina says. “The nice thing about us, no matter who is involved in the transaction, they reach out to us directly. There is no middleman. We’re the point of contact all the way through, and we want to keep it that way.”
“That personal touch — it’s a big deal to us,” Maria adds. “Now, it’s about making sure we have enough time to be the best moms and be the businesswomen we are.”
ATLANTIC COAST TITLE & ESCROW IS AN ATTORNEY-OWNED TITLE AND ESCROW COMPANY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT ACTITLE.COM.
