Arlington Real Estate Settlement Firm Merges With Fairfax's Titleworks

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington-based Cobalt Settlements LLC has merged with Titleworks Inc., with the goal of expanding the footprint of the combined settlement services companies in Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland.

Titleworks, based in Fairfax, was founded in 1995 and is led by industry veteran Becky Taylor, and Cobalt Settlements was founded in 2014 and is led by Jeff Nowak. The combined company will carry the name of Cobalt Settlements LLC.

The merger “marks a pivotal moment, combining Cobalt’s innovative resources and attorney-backed capabilities with the deep-rooted client relationships and industry expertise of Titleworks," the companies said.

Nowak and Taylor are members of the Virginia Land Title Association, where Taylor is slated to become president at the association’s next annual convention in 2024.

"This merger is a testament to our team’s commitment to providing them with enhanced services and expertise, particularly in the legal aspects of real estate settlements,” Taylor said.

Nowak said that joining forces with Titleworks is “a natural progression for us."

"I’ve been impressed with Titleworks’ quality and care through multiple transactions we’ve worked on together, and Becky's reputation and client-focused approach align perfectly with our vision at Cobalt Settlements,” Nowak said.

The combined companies, Nowak explained, will operate under the belief that a title company should “remain an independent and valuable partner to real estate agents and loan officers, assuring homebuyers and sellers are expertly guided through one of the largest and most complex purchases of their lives.”

Both Cobalt Settlements and Titleworks use the Qualia platform for transaction management and title production.

A key aspect of the merger, according to Nowak and Taylor, is the emphasis on legal expertise in the title industry. "Our clients value the assurance that comes with having legal expertise at their fingertips. This merger enhances our ability to meet and exceed those expectations," Taylor said.

The merger opens up new geographical territories, with Titleworks’ network in Fairfax County and areas to the west, and Cobalt’s strong presence in Arlington, Washington, D.C., and surrounding counties.

With plans to expand services into Maryland, Nowak added, "This expansion is not just about growing our footprint, it’s about bringing our combined strengths to a wider audience, offering them the best in real estate settlement services."