About Us
HOME / ABOUT USREALIZE YOUR REAL ESTATE DREAMS
Our History
We would like to welcome you to the Schaeffer Douglas Title website. We invite you to contact us at any time with your service requests or questions.
Schaeffer Douglas Title is an industry leader in Maine, providing residential and commercial title insurance and related services to buyers, lenders, real estate agents, developers, and investors.
Schaeffer Douglas Title was founded in 2005 and has offices in South Portland, Yarmouth, and Topsham, Maine. Originally known as H&D Title & Closing Services, the company grew under the leadership of Eric Schaeffer. Eric’s years of experience in private practice, encompassing time at both medium and large law firms in commercial and residential real estate, as well as litigation and corporate representation, laid the foundation for Eric to grow the company so that it encompassed additional offices and strengthened its client relationships. Eric and his wife, Laura, who met during law school before graduating in 1996, became the sole owners of H&D Title & Closing Services in 2014.
Douglas Title Company, a long-standing and respected title company founded in 1987 by Abby and Don Douglas, was acquired by H&D Title & Closing Services in 2015. Abby and Don trusted Eric and Laura to carry their legacy of quality title services into the future as Schaeffer Douglas Title. We are thankful to continue building on the additional foundation they contributed to our company.
The success of Schaeffer Douglas Title has been supported by the incredible talents of its many team members who possess in excess of 400 years of experience in the industry. As Schaeffer Douglas Title has expanded its reach in Maine, the culture of family and service has endured. Not only do we take pride in serving our lenders, buyers, sellers, and Realtors in realizing their real estate dreams, we also place great emphasis on family within our company.
Regardless of the size or complexity of your residential or commercial real estate transaction, we have the experience, knowledge, and attention to detail necessary to provide excellent service in a high velocity environment while also ensuring the steady legal guidance necessary to properly protect our clients’ interests.
Thank you for letting us help you realize your real estate dreams.
~ Eric and Laura Schaeffer
REALIZE YOUR REAL ESTATE DREAMS
Our Leadership
Eric Schaeffer is the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Schaeffer Douglas Title.
Eric takes special pride in helping people buy and sell homes, real estate agents make a living, and lenders of all sizes ensure their loans are protected. Eric is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operations for Schaeffer Douglas Title and his extensive and varied legal experience is a particular benefit to his clients.
Before founding Schaeffer Douglas Title, Eric was an associate attorney at a law firm in Portland, Maine. In this role, he focused on residential and commercial real estate matters and was the primary advisor to a subsidiary title agency concerning the evaluation and resolution of title underwriting issues.
Prior to working and living in Maine, Eric practiced law in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was admitted to practice law in both Ohio and Kentucky. Eric spent several years at a well-respected, medium-sized law firm, where he focused on commercial and residential real estate transactions and title underwriting with additional emphasis on general business law and commercial litigation. Eric then spent two years at a large law firm in Cincinnati, where his practice focused on complex commercial transactions. This included the management of the real estate component of corporate mergers and acquisitions, with a significant emphasis on national telecommunications mergers and acquisitions, including representation of the world’s largest radio holding corporation. Eric was also responsible for contract and commercial lease negotiations and the drafting of related documents.
Eric obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1996 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated cum laude in 1993 from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts double concentration in history and political science. Eric was admitted to practice law in the State of Maine in 2002.
Eric currently lives in Freeport with his wife and co-owner, Laura, and they have two sons, Andrew and Jack. Eric and his family are avid skiers, and you can find them at Sugarloaf, Maine, on most winter weekends. They all enjoy exploring our world through travel and hiking. Eric is also on the Board of Trustees for North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth, Maine.
OUR EXPERTS
Meet Our Title Team
Hillary Bickford
CLOSING OFFICER AND DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2019.
Hillary started in the real estate industry in 2010 and has enjoyed all aspects of the industry, including working with buyers, sellers, lenders and title companies. She also has an extensive background in customer relations, most recently for a customer relationship management program for loan officers. This has all assisted in her transition to working with titles and cultivated the necessary skills for her role as closing officer and marketing director.
Born and raised in Midcoast Maine, Hillary has a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Organizational Studies from the University of Southern Maine. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, gardening, golfing, skiing and being on or near the ocean.
Kathryn Cortes
OPERATIONS MANAGER
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2008.
Kathie began in the title industry in 2003, previously working in the financial industry. She has held many roles at Schaeffer Douglas Title, including closing coordinator and branch manager, before taking on the role of operations manager in 2019. She oversees the firm’s general operations, providing support to all departments and processing files through post-closing.
Kathie is a lifelong resident of Lewiston. She and her husband enjoy traveling, gardening, and gathering with family and friends. Other favorite activities are cooking, and exploring Maine’s trails and beaches.
Dorothy Jost
POST-CLOSING COORDINATOR
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2019.
Dorothy has been in the industry for six years, working on a variety of projects and gaining an understanding of many aspects of the job. Previously, she had a successful 20-year career in banking operations and auditing.
Dorothy’s greatest joy is spending time with her three kids and five grandkids.
Barbara Janco
OFFICE COORDINATOR
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2015.
As Schaeffer Douglas Title’s office coordinator, Barbara helps with day-to-day tasks and provides top-notch customer service to everyone she meets.
Although she grew up in Massachusetts, Barbara has long considered Maine her home. She has lived in Yarmouth for many years, giving her a unique perspective of the town and an understanding of the firm’s clientele. Her children attended Yarmouth schools, and her husband has served on the town Planning Board. They have coached various youth teams and are active members of First Parish Church.
Mark Phillips
TITLE ABSTRACTOR
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2013.
As a title abstractor, Mark’s responsibilities include searching public records and examining titles to verify the legal condition and to certify the history of ownership of a particular parcel of real estate.
Mark was raised in Newport, Maine and in his free time, he likes to relax listening to music while enjoying the beautiful nature this great state has to offer.
Teresa Morse
CLOSING COORDINATOR
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2018.
Teresa began working in the title industry in 2013 as a closing coordinator. With a few years of experience, she now understands the entire process from start to finish, allowing her to facilitate smooth, successful transactions for clients.
A lifelong Maine resident, Teresa was raised in the coastal town of Harpswell. This led to her interest in a real estate career, where she specialized in waterfront properties and eventually joined the largest real estate agency in Maine before becoming a member of the Schaeffer Douglas Title team.
Teresa resides in Topsham and enjoys boating, cooking, gardening and interior decorating.
David C. West, Esq.
TITLE ATTORNEY
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2023.
David spends his days reviewing titles, conducting closings, and identifying and addressing issues to ensure clear title on properties throughout Maine. Prior to becoming a full-time title attorney, David spent several years representing lending institutions in real estate and litigation matters.
David grew up in Gorham, Maine and earned an undergraduate degree in marketing from Ithaca College and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maine School of Law. He enjoys kayaking, cooking, live music, and spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Marjorie (Marge) Schwietering
TITLE ABSTRACTOR
JOINED SCHAEFFER DOUGLAS TITLE IN 2018.
As a title abstractor, Marge conducts and summarizes title searches of residential and commercial properties through the registry of deeds sites for different counties. She also provides policy updates, supplies copies for document requests and maintains a subdivision and condominium master file.
Outside of work, Marge is an animal lover who has two beautiful boy kitties, two gerbils and a hamster. She’s a comic book geek, a history buff and a Daughters of the American Revolution member. She also loves watching the Patriots and the Mariners and enjoys exploring Maine and its unique people and towns.