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Youngstown Firms Merge to Become Largest Title Agent in the Mahoning Valley

Youngstown, Ohio (May, 2006) —
When Atty. Rick Mastriana of Suburban Title called his competitor Greg Stebelton of Commonwealth in 2002, he planted the idea of merging the two companies. Five short years later that idea has blossomed into reality. As a result, Mastriana has found three new partners with common goals and values, and an opportunity for growth the two firms could not refuse.

“It became apparent that merging the two agencies was the best way to ensure future growth,” said Stebelton. “Merging offers a cost-effective way to do business locally and gives us the resources to support expansion in the years to come.”

The new company will be called Commonwealth-Suburban Title Agency, Inc., maintaining four offices in Youngstown, Boardman, Columbiana and Howland.

Commonwealth dates its beginning to 1954, quickly becoming the leading title agency in the Youngstown area. Atty. Richard A. Stebelton, who joined the firm in 1961, along with David Quinlan, who passed away in 1986, established Commonwealth as the largest, most respected title agency in the Mahoning Valley. Recently, partners Greg Stebelton and Daryl Kirtley have worked to continue growing the business while maintaining the tradition of quality service.

Atty. Rick Mastriana and Jane DePasquale started Suburban Title Agency in 1992. With plenty of competition from long-established firms, the two combined long hours and aggressive marketing to develop Suburban into one of the largest title agencies in the tri-county area. Work weeks of six or seven days became routine. “There are no 40-hour work weeks in this business,” said DePasquale.

Strong work ethic created a mutual respect for both businesses. “Both groups are exceptional firms with exceptional people,” said Stebelton.

“Going through the merger created a larger pool of employees, allowing us to pick up the best talent from both organizations,” said Stebelton. “We now have the expertise to take our firm to another level, expanding into more areas, and providing quicker service to our clients.”

Many factors set Commonwealth-Suburban apart from other title companies. While most area title agencies are just escrow companies, Commonwealth-Suburban is also an abstract company. All title work is done in-house which translates into faster service and more reliable searches for clients. Also, company owners still perform most of the closings. Unlike many competitors, the attorneys at Commonwealth-Suburban practice only real estate law. “Our lawyers are in the office, not the courtroom,” said Stebelton. Add staff members that have been with the firm for over 40 years, and you have a full-time ageny of unparalleled competence.

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