Our Story
Answer Abstracts is a real property abstracting, research, and title examination firm established in 2008. Serving Washington, DC, the firm emerged as a partner in the region’s growth by focusing on commercial and government-sector projects. Founded by four professional women who were leaders in the local real estate and financial services industries, Answer Abstracts leveraged its collective experience and expertise to pursue public-sector opportunities created through regional infrastructure investment and large-scale development initiatives.
That focus continues today under the leadership of the successor owners—two of the four founding members, Cynthia Eagle and Tessa Edison.
A small, woman-owned firm, Answer Abstracts built its in-house title abstracting operation around a Senior Title Examiner with more than 40 years of experience handling complex title matters. This deep expertise, extending beyond online database research to thorough investigation of property and land-use history, makes Answer Abstracts a valued partner on local development teams that include surveyors, real estate professionals, environmental engineers, and other specialists.
Supporting both residential and large-scale development efforts, Answer Abstracts self-performs title services that include residential examinations, complex commercial work, and acquisition consulting for easements, rights-of-way, and land transfers. Answer Abstracts is one of the very few firms that specializes in title examination, research, and documentation support for District-owned and federally owned land in Washington, D.C., including public housing sites, agency-held properties, and redevelopment parcels.
Meet the Team
Cynthia Eagle
Founder and Co-Owner
Cynthia (“Cindy”) Eagle is the Co-Owner of Answer Abstracts and Owner of Answer eRecording, and recently became Co-President/Co-Owner of Answer Title & Escrow LLC. Together, these three companies provide comprehensive coverage across the entire title insurance and settlement process. In her ownership roles, Cindy is actively involved in each company’s day-to-day operations. She serves as Underwriter and Processor for Answer Title, CEO for Answer Abstracts, and Recorder for Answer eRecording, bringing hands-on expertise to every aspect of her businesses. Cindy has more than 20 years of experience in the title industry. She began her career with Answer Title as Operations Vice President and quickly expanded her responsibilities to include oversight of processing, underwriting, and title policy production, in addition to operational management. In 2008, she and her current business partner, Tessa Edison, were invited to open and become part owners of Answer Abstracts, an opportunity they readily accepted. Recognizing the depth of expertise and more than 40 years of experience with their Senior Title Examiner, they are focused on expanding the company by bringing on and mentoring additional title examiners under seasoned leadership. In 2022, identifying a growing need among attorneys preparing living trusts, Cindy launched Eagle Recording Services, later rebranded as Answer eRecording. Leveraging her extensive title experience, she provides efficient e-recording services, along with legal description preparation and intake documentation when needed.
Prior to joining Answer Title, Cindy served as Chief of Staff for the DC Department of Banking. She also worked for several years as a database and production specialist at a prestigious Washington, DC law firm, where she became Master certified in Microsoft Word and Excel. Outside of her professional work, her true passion lies in traveling and exploring as many parts of the world as possible.
Tessa Edison
Founder and Co-Owner
Tessa Edison is Co-Owner of Answer Abstracts, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the real estate ecosystem and 15 years in title industry business development.
Before co-founding Answer Abstracts, Tessa served as Vice President of Business Development for Answer Title & Escrow, where she generated over $100 million in business by cultivating long-term relationships with developers, attorneys, lenders, and real estate professionals. That experience gave her a deep understanding of how transactions move and where precision, responsiveness, and clarity matter most.
At Answer Abstracts, Tessa focuses on growth strategy, client relationships, and strengthening partnerships across the real estate community. She understands that behind every abstract is a larger investment decision and approaches the work with that responsibility in mind.
In addition to her role at Answer Abstracts, Tessa is the Founder and CEO of ASSET Management Consulting, a real estate branding advisory firm, and a co-developer of a for-sale townhome community in partnership with the District of Columbia. Her combined experience across branding, title, and development provides a comprehensive understanding of the technical and strategic dimensions of real estate projects.
Michael Bowlby
Michael Bowlby is Answer Abstracts’ Senior Title Examiner, bringing over 40 years of experience in title examination. His depth of knowledge and institutional expertise enhance the quality and reliability of the services provided to clients.
Michael comes to us from First American Title Insurance Company in Washington, DC where he worked as a title examiner and underwriter in their DC title plant. He provides title examination with detailed written reports on commercial and residential properties. Highly experienced in complex commercial titles, he researches land, court and probate records for the Washington, DC area, working closely with appraisers and engineers in interpreting plats and identifying historical land use issues related to parcels. He conducts thorough historical deep dives into property records, uncovering chains of title, covenants, and nuances that require seasoned judgment—while maintaining a strong focus on client needs and service excellence.
Outside of his professional work, his true passion lies in photography and collecting Olympic memorabilia. He is also a life member of the International Society of Olympic Historians.