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From Paralegal to Title Expert: How Karina L. Borgia-Lacroix Built a Real Estate Empire Through Resilience and Service
- Women Story
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
Karina L. Borgia-Lacroix is the founder and owner of American Real Title and Borgia Consulting Corporation, a 100% woman and minority-owned business that has served the real estate industry for more than 17 years. With over 27 years of experience as a title, escrow, and closing agent, she has built her company around one simple philosophy: make one of life's most important transactions feel seamless, transparent, and stress-free.
Based in Fort Myers, Florida, USA, Karina has grown her business from a 2009 partnership (as Borgia Law & American Real Title) to a full buyout and ownership in 2018. Today, she is recognized nationally as "The Real Estate Title Girl" —an educator, speaker, bestselling author, and advocate for women in business.
A Journey of Resilience and Purpose
Karina's leadership journey began as a paralegal working on complex legal matters before transitioning into real estate and entrepreneurship. Over the years, she has navigated:
Economic downturns
Natural disasters
Staffing challenges
Significant personal adversity, including surviving a near-fatal automobile accident that profoundly changed her perspective on leadership and life
That experience taught her to lead with empathy, purpose, and gratitude while never losing sight of excellence.
Her mission extends beyond real estate transactions—she strives to create
opportunities, mentor others, support charitable causes, and demonstrate that success is measured not only by profitability, but by the positive impact we make in the lives of others.
What Sets American Real Title Apart
What sets American Real Title apart is the combination of:
Legal expertise
Innovative processes
Personalized service
Community commitment
While many title companies focus solely on closing transactions, Karina's company focuses on creating exceptional experiences.
Clients choose American Real Title because:
They simplify complex transactions
They communicate proactively
They solve problems before they become obstacles
They provide a level of responsiveness that is increasingly rare in today's business environment
Karina's background in law, real estate, marketing, and her entrepreneurship certificate from Cornell University allows her to approach challenges strategically while maintaining a client-first mindset.
The Real Estate Title Girl: Education and Advocacy
Through The Real Estate Title Girl platform, Karina offers another layer of support. She provides in-depth education and real-world insight that empowers agents across Southwest Florida.
Whether she is leading a seminar, coaching a new agent through a tough deal, or publishing new resources online, her focus is always on clarity and service. She speaks the language of real estate professionals, knows their challenges, and brings decades of experience to every stage of the deal.
Comprehensive Services Across Florida
American Real Title handles both residential and commercial transactions with confidence and care. Not all title agencies are equipped to handle complex commercial deals, but Karina's team brings decades of experience navigating the unique challenges of business real estate, from ownership structure reviews to high-value closings with multiple parties.
The firm serves clients across Florida, including:
Fort Myers
Naples
Bonita Springs
Cape Coral
Sanibel
Estero
Port Charlotte
Punta Gorda
Miami
Orlando
And throughout the entire state of Florida
Borgia Consulting: Solving Complex Problems
At Borgia Consulting, Karina specializes in solving the problems that most title companies walk away from. If a transaction involves:
Probate
Short sales
Mobile home titles
Post-disaster cleanup
Borgia Consulting brings the creativity and experience required to get it closed—and does it without charging any upfront fees. If the client does not get paid, Borgia Consulting does not get paid. That alignment drives everything the company does.
What sets Borgia Consulting apart:
A unique blend of legal knowledge, business judgment, and deep local expertise
Advice rooted in nearly three decades of experience working inside real estate law firms
Handling of both residential and commercial files across Florida
Customized support tailored to each client's needs
Karina and her team help troubleshoot contract issues, resolve title complications, and create personalized documents when traditional services fall short.
Concierge-Style Service and Modern Tools
American Real Title provides concierge-level service, supporting agents quietly behind the scenes and creating seamless closings that clients remember for all the right reasons.
The company has embraced modern tools to make real estate closing transactions even easier:
Digital intake forms
Virtual closings
Much of the closing process can be handled remotely, giving clients flexibility to move forward from wherever they are located
The firm uses a systematic approach, streamlining and automating the process to ensure no last-minute surprises on closing day.
Legal Knowledge Without Legal Advice
When legal concerns surface during a transaction, Karina's team offers more than just processing—they provide smart solutions rooted in extensive legal knowledge that can keep a deal from falling apart. While they do not provide legal advice, their support gives real estate professionals the confidence to move forward, even when unexpected issues arise.
Community Commitment and Charitable Involvement
Beyond professional expertise, Karina's company is deeply rooted in service. A portion of her time, energy, and resources is dedicated to charitable and community initiatives.
Clients know that when they choose American Real Title, they are not only receiving award-winning service—they are supporting a business that actively invests in strengthening the community.
Karina serves on the Board of Directors for:
Voices for Kids, Guardian Ad Litem
She has served on boards and supported:
American Cancer Society and Relay for Life
PACE Center for Girls
The Boys & Girls Club
Dr. Piper Center
American Heart Association
Lee County Alliance for the Arts
Hodges University Scholarship Fund
Muscular Dystrophy Association
St. Jude's Children's Hospital
Lee Memorial Health Systems
Overcoming Adversity: A Story of Resilience
Like many entrepreneurs, Karina's journey has been defined by overcoming challenges rather than avoiding them.
Significant obstacles included:
Surviving a near-death automobile accident
Navigating economic uncertainty
Rebuilding through natural disasters
Buying out a business partner
Overcoming staffing and operational challenges that threatened business continuity
The near-fatal accident was particularly transformative. It reminded her that life is fragile and that success should be measured by impact, relationships, and purpose—not simply revenue. As a result, she became more intentional in how she leads, serves clients, supports her team, and gives back to the community.
Today, resilience is one of her greatest strengths. Every challenge she has faced has become a lesson that helped build a stronger business, a stronger leader, and a stronger commitment to helping others succeed.
Awards and National Recognition
Karina's reputation for innovation, integrity, education, and relationship-building has earned national recognition:
Title Agent of the Year (2020–2024) – Nationwide recognition
Multiple consecutive Title Expert of the Year awards
Recognition from clients and industry professionals alike
Professional Memberships include:
American Business Woman's Association
Women's Council of Realtors
Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
A Leadership Philosophy Built on Empathy and Excellence
Karina's leadership philosophy is rooted in:
Empathy – Leading with understanding and compassion
Purpose – Measuring success by impact, not just revenue
Excellence – Maintaining the highest standards of service
Resilience – Overcoming adversity and growing stronger
Community – Giving back and creating opportunities for others
She believes that strong leaders build strong teams, empower others, and create opportunities for those around them.
Karina's Advice to Women Entrepreneurs
Never wait until you feel completely ready. Confidence often comes after taking action, not before. Too many women underestimate their abilities while waiting for the 'perfect' time, the perfect plan, or the perfect circumstances.
Trust your instincts, make decisions decisively, and understand that mistakes are not failures—they are valuable lessons that help you grow faster. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, invest in continuous learning, and never be afraid to ask for help.
Most importantly, remember that success is not about doing everything yourself. Strong leaders build strong teams, empower others, and create opportunities for those around them. Stay focused on your purpose, remain resilient through setbacks, and never let fear make decisions for you.
For Karina L. Borgia-Lacroix, success is not just about closing deals—it is about building trust, supporting communities, and proving that women-led businesses can thrive through resilience, excellence, and purpose.
Quick Profile
Founder/Owner: Karina L. Borgia-Lacroix
Companies: American Real Title & Borgia Consulting Corporation
Founded: 2009 (partnership); 2018 (full ownership)
Location: Fort Myers, Florida, USA
Industry: Real Estate Title Insurance, Closing, Escrow, and Consulting Services
Specialization: Residential and commercial title insurance, closing services, escrow, probate, short sales, mobile home titles, post-disaster cleanup consulting
Accreditations: 100% Woman and Minority-Owned Business; Entrepreneurship Certificate, Cornell University
Recognition: Title Agent of the Year (2020–2024); Multiple Title Expert of the Year awards
Mission: Making real estate transactions seamless, transparent, and stress-free while giving back to the community
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