do I need a closing company?

[Laura Turner]

So do I really need a title company to close? 

Seems like they charge an awful lot to research the title and liens, insure the title, pay off the mortgage if any, prorate utilities and taxes, and file the documents.

I'm getting a cheap property, have researched the title and liens online, seller is solvent and has no mortgage and easy to find (lived locally all his life), and am comfortable taking the risk of going without title insurance.  It'll be a cash sale. 

Has anybody tried forgoing the title company and going to the courthouse to file the documents themselves, with a cooperative and trustworthy seller?

Anything else I need to know?