Settlement fee/title insurnance - Pennsylvania

[Mark Dante]

Question:  My cousin and I are looking at a few properties in western Pennsylvania (just outside of Pittsburgh) .  I've called around and I've got a few prices from settlement companies, but I don't know if I've been quoted a higher amount because I am out of town.  For those who have purchased multiple properties and have used the same settlement company, what kind of settlement fee do you typically pay?  I'm seeing about $325 to $350 (PLUS title insurance).  Any recommendations for settlement companies in Pennsylvania?

Also, a separate question.  For those who purchase foreclosed properties with cash, do you always purchase title insurance?  I'm looking at some properties that are cheap (and its for a good reason - they need a LOT of work).  It appears that in Pennsylvania there is a minimum cost for title insurance.  For example, I looked at a portfolio of rehab properties  with an average price of $15K each.  Title insurance looks to be about $550 for each property.   If I purchase 10 of these houses, I'm looking at $5500 in title insurance on houses which I hope to only have for a year.  So for those who purchase cash for foreclosed houses, do you always get title insurance?  

[Tom Gimer]

Originally posted by @Charles McCabe:

@Tom Gimer And that would save some money?  Because you'd only pay the "base price" for the title policy once, instead of once for each property?

Yes, add up the total purchase price for all the parcels and base the premium off that total risk. But again this has to be from the same seller as part of the same transaction.