Christian's Blog

Going Green With Warm Buyer Leads!

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:48:38 -0500

LISTEN TO THE CONFERENCE CALL ON TEXT MY MLS HERE

The other month James and Joey Bridges of Online Real Estate Success, Tyson Underwood of South Bay Educational Institute and I discussed the pros and cons of a revolutionary product we've all been using called Text My MLS. James and Joey threw in great input from an agent's perspective and Tyson had the lender input and of course me with the affiliate side. We were all in unison on how effective and necessary this product has been and excited to see what each of us had to say about it. One of our best calls on a product or service yet. We hope you get a lot out of this one and encourage you to sign up for Text My MLS today. It's a product that will not only generate buyer leads, but help win listing presentations. For you lenders out there it's a great conversation starter with agents when visiting their open house. If you would like to pick any of our brains on this or any other product or service out there join us on our free weekly conference call.

Visit Text My MLS at www.TextMyMLS.com

To your continued success!

How To Get Buyers To Act Today (Weekly Call)

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:23:13 -0500

Times have undeniably shifted within the industry and we're seeing a lot of panic and industry professionals pulling the rip cord and leaving the real estate business. Fortunately our clients that started preparing for this market last year with <a href="http://www.blogger.com">their blogs</a>, <a href="http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/198691">conversion tools</a> and marketing practices are enjoying a steady flow of leads which they're turning into actual escrows.

The guys from <a href="http://www.onlinerealestatesuccess.net/?a_aid=b3721c5d&a_bid=fcce0c94">Online Real Estate Success</a> and I covered the mindset of today's buyer and ideas to move them into an actual sale position. Dialogue is key here and confidence in your expertise and knowing why now is a great time to buy.

This is the panel discussion we had on getting buyers to take action. We emphasize:

1. Educating your buyers
2. Asking questions and using the right scripts
3. Knowing when to cut some buyers loose

Click Here For Audio

We hope you take a few ideas from this call and let us know if you have any comments or ideas for future topics. Happy Hunting out there!

Master My Marketing

Writing Blog Posts That Will Attract Buyers & Sellers (Weekly Call)

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:18:33 -0500

In this morning's Round Table discussion James, Joey and I went over the different types of successful blog food and the stuff that will kill your blog with first impressions.

Topics Discussed:

1. What to avoid when writing your articles
2. What to concentrate on when writing your articles
3. The Triple Platinum Eagle Award that agents love
4. How to attract buyers and sellers to you blog

Click Here For Audio

Visit us each week for updates at http://www.MasterMyMarketing.com

Bicycle Spoke In The Eye...Get it Right!

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:52:24 -0600

Marc Davison said it best in Inman News yesterday, "It's time for some clean up work." While a whole new generation of Real Estate professionals are hitting the streets the old guard is still up to their old, tired business practices. It's true throughout the entire industry...yes even the title insurance industry. While the general public is waiting on the sidelines, the industry as a whole is pulling up their skirts and trying not to fall in the puddle. Let's get real. After years of record breaking sales everyone is crying poor man. I don't get it....well maybe I do. Let's examine a few things.
We have Brokers with gate keepers at every office here in the Greater South Bay and Palos Verdes protecting what little bit of business they have trickling through their doors. At the same time the world rolls by at an alarming technological rate and passes them by like a lazy boy napping. Mr. Davison, you drew a beautiful picture and one I'd like to try and repaint.
Most agents and brokers are the people driving the cars. We as vendors and affiliated businesses get to ride in the passenger seat. Two completely different perspectives. When driving you are concentrating on the big picture of driving the car. As a passenger we get to look out the window and see all the trash and activities lining the streets. Some of that trash actually contains some valuable treasures that most are passing by on their way to wherever it is they think they're going and completely missing it or ignoring it.
As long as the owners of real estate companies keep a strict closed door policy on affiliates and vendors coming into their office, they'll continue to drive their businesses with blinders on. In-house services make money for the broker, but generally hurt the agent that works for the broker because their salespeople become lethargic and complacent...almost expecting the business. And in the environment we're currently in, that will only lead to one thing...near failure or failure. Besides, the consumer is the one that ultimately pays the price.
There's a whole new world of possibilities out there and for the last few years I've seen them roll closer and closer. 2007 had a clear scent of a technology based revolution in our industry, but the strong market wouldn't allow it. Last quarter leveled the playing field once again and that lazy boy napping has now been jolted to awareness.
If you're a consumer watch out. There are more agents out there that don't know what they're doing than there are agents that do. It's extremely important to not only price your home aggressively, but to smartly step up the level of marketing and techniques available to you. Print variables won't cut it this time around. It was said that you only had a 1 in 8 chance of a buyer seeing your home, well I believe that to be a much larger spread now. Simply due to the extra competition within the marketplace. Most real estate professionals and brokers don't know where to turn for answers and their affiliated business arrangements can't keep up with the competition due to the limited knowledge and resources they have. Throw your home on the MLS and it will sell they'd say... well not anymore.
If you're an agent or broker pay attention. You can and should be talking to every and any vendor or affiliate out there that is willing to help you. Some have amazing tools and techniques to help you grow your business and sell more homes. Don't let your guard dogs at the front protect their jobs by not letting us in. Don't let your Broker/Owner squelch your thirst for knowledge by demanding you use their services. If you want to be here in 2009 you need to take action immediately. There's only so many hours in the day and unless you want to be up at 4 A.M. like I am right now staying ahead of my competition ask for help. Do what you're good at and learn progressively (no pun intended for those of you that know me) over the next eleven months. You can overcome and succeed if you just open your eyes up a little wider and surge forward. If you ever ran the mile in track, 2008 is that last drafty corner when you start your kick to the finish line. This year will determine who finishes under the five minute mark and who doesn't. I'd rather stick a bicycle spoke in my eye than lose this race.
Remember, we're all in this together and we're all here to support the end user...the customer. If you as an agent fail, we as service providers fail. And that's all I have to say about that! Happy Hunting out there.

Online Marketing Success For Grey Hair

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:28:39 -0600

Below are some simple to use techniques for those of us that are a touch older the the X and Y generations. Simple and to the point. With a little effort and some patience you'll be leading the pack by coupling your expertise with technology. Now dig into your virtual Rolodex and send an email to a CA Realtor and tell them to start working with us today! Happy Hunting out there and don't give up!

Bloggin

Our blog is the most important tool we have for succeeding in the online leg of our business. To most, Blogging is something that a Teenager does when they get home from school. A place to post photos and tell stories. A sort of year book of memories that will be posted forever. Forever. That word is something that resonated in me when we first seriously looked at Blogging and forever is what you should be thinking when reading this section about Blogging.

Why is our Blog powerful? Simple. It's powerful because it's the one and only tool that we can display our knowledge and expertise for the entire world to see...forever. We've spent thousands of dollars on print advertising, knowing full well that it was usually going from the left hand to the right hand to the trash. Simple as that. Obviously we were generating some business leads because of it, however not many. Now we simply post the knowledge and information we want to share on our Blog. Because our Blog is designed in a way that search engines can see it, our audience is now global. If you are posting current and timely information that people are searching for, they'll keep coming back for more. In a sense, you're creating credibility with a potential client before you even meet with them!

Starting Your Own Blog

The first place I would go to start Blogging is http://www.blogger.com/. Simply because it's free and the easiest one to use. Here are a few others to check out as well...from first to worst:

•2. http://www.wordpress.com/

•3. http://www.typepad.com/

•4. http://www.yahoo.com/

•5. http://peopleconnection.aol.com/

•6. http://home.services.spaces.live.com/

•7. http://www.xanga.com/

•8. http://www.livejournal.com/

•9. http://www.vox.com/

•10. http://www.myspace.com/

You can literally be up and posting your articles within ten minutes. No joke. You'll probably get caught up in designing your blog the way you want it to look, so don't be surprised if you begin to actually have fun and spend an hour playing with all the tools you'll find. We've found this to be an ongoing thing for about the first month or so.

15 Rules To Blog By

When we started our Blog I was all over the place on the topics I was posting. For the most part you'll see most Blogs are like that. Most successful Blogs however, are not. Here are the rules to live by when starting out:

Decide on a subject you will be concentrating on.
Pick a title for your Blog that will describe your subject matter
Make sure all of your posts will have something to do with the subject of the blog.
Do not have audio boot up on your Blog (or website for that matter). If you're going to have audio make sure it has a play and pause button that the reader chooses to activate
In your sidebar, place a Subscribe feature so visitors can bookmark your Blog. This will make it easier for them to revisit and visit often.
Most Blog providers will have a search feature automatically built into the blog. If they don't get one. The search feature will allow readers to search for particular topics in your blog.
Tags and Labels are an important tool to use when writing a post. A visitor can click on one of your tags or labels to display all the posts that deal with that subject.
Linkation to your website. Think of your Blog as a traffic generator and credibility tool. Once you've gained credibility make it easy for your readers to visit your website. Use hyperlinks in your posts back to your site. Think of your website as a tool. A place to put all the business tools and services you provide. Don't confuse your Blog with your website, this seems easier than it sounds.
Linkation to other Blogs and websites. After or during the writing of your posts, pick words or phrases that you can hyperlink to other Blogs or websites to find out more information on your topic. The more credible links you have on your Blog the higher your search engine ranking will be.
Invite others to post on your Blog. You don't have to invite another professional that's competing with you, but you can invite vendors or affiliated business professionals to post. This will allow you to share the responsibility of posting and generate organic growth quickly.
Buy your own domain for your Blog. You're going to be advertising it and search engines will be showing it as a result....might as well create a little more credibility by buying your own Blog domain name. I use http://www.addressbuilders.com/. There are others out there as well like http://www.register.com/ you can use.
Update your Blog frequently. I actually have a schedule to update my Blog. At least three times a week to start. Having other authors helps with this immensely.
Don't be afraid to write from an opinion. People are interested in what others are thinking. Using canned content isn't necessarily bad, but it will come across that way and your readers will bounce out much quicker...probably never to return.
Vist Microsofts free clip art site and upload a picture into each of your posts. Just like children love picture books, your readers will love relevent photos.
Don't write super long posts and use lists to simplify your content. Titles beginning with: "10 Things..." or "7 Mistakes..." are some examples. Search engine conversions are much better using these as well. I wouldn't make your entire site that way, but sprinkle them in there more often than not.

Follow these 15 rules and you'll be off to a great start. Check out http://www.southbaymarketplace.com/ or http://www.raincityguide.com/ for some examples.

Conversions

The next trick is to use the right conversion tools for leads. There are many to choose from and the simple result you should be looking for is an email address. Once we have an email address we can follow up consistently with informative emails until the conversion turns into a lead. There are many email programs out there that will generate automatic emails to your conversion prospects. Pick one, write ten follow up emails, set it and forget it. The more lines you have in the water, the more fish you will catch...it's that simple. I'll cover more on conversion tools later.

Other Blogging Tools

Obviously I didn't cover everthing there is to know about Blogging here, but it's enough to make you dangerous and effective. Below is a list of other topics to check out once you're up and running. The main thing you should be concerned with in your first 90 days and on into the your future of "Forever" is consistency. Post frequently. Use everyday emails you receive to stimulate topics. Those are the questions people want to read about. Keep a pad of paper next to your bed and when you think of something in the middle of the night write it down...then go back to sleep. Use that as your post the next morning.

Other Topics To Check Out:

•1. SEO ~ Search Engine Optimization

•2. Feeds

•3. Email Subscriptions

•4. Revenue Generators

•5. Avatars

•6. Analytics

•7. Chicklets

If you'd like to learn more about developing an effective blog, feel free to contact us for a free consultation at Info@MyTitleRep.com.

Websites

Your website should be used as a tool. In the past most businesses and business professionals used their website as their only online presence. Since the development of Web Logs (blogging), the typical website has become second fiddle. That being said, it shouldn't be overlooked. Many people have replaced their website with a Blog completely, but that is something that should never be done in business. Your website is the place to make your products and/or services shine. It's a place that you want the readers of you Blog to end up. Once one of your Blog readers walks their mouse over to take a click on your website link, they've subconsciously flipped the switch from "who is this person" to "this person seems credible...I'd like to find out more." If they land on your website page and it's not a well oiled machine with leather interior and a navigation system you've lost them. You need to grab that visitor and compel them to stay and look around a bit. Maybe even send you and email or fill out one of your conversion tools.

I work in the real estate industry, so I'm going to use real estate agents as an example. But, I want you to keep in mind that this applies to any business that wants to succeed or continue to succeed in the very near future.

So often I hear real estate agents say to me, I need a new website or I got ripped off because my website doesn't do Jack for me. My question to them is "What did you expect it to do?" The typical answer is to generate more business. That's where the rub comes. Most people are led to believe that if you build a website the business will come. Not true! If you build it with the right tools the leads will come and for other businesses/service providers, if you build it with the right information, pricing and credibility the buyers will come.

Just like a brick and mortar business, somebody has to be working the shop. Are we transitioning rapidlyinto an age where more and more people are working from home and on the internet? Absolutely, without a doubt, for certain. But....the same simple truth of having to work your business still applies. You can't just build something online, admire it and wait for the business to come...to a small extent you can, but you still have to work it.

So, what do you do? Simple...work your blog, create engaging conversion tools for your visitors on your website and make sure you follow up with those people until they become clients or tell you to bug off. This requires consistency and somebody working the shop. Technology makes life easier if you apply all it has to offer. Systems and techniques are the key to any successful business. Application and effort is all that is required from you or your employees. Showing up is 80% of the battle! If you'd like to see an example of what I'm talking about go check out our Blog and Website. Visit our Blog at http://www.southbaymarketplace.com/ and our Website at http://www.mytitlerep.com/.

If you'd like to learn more about developing an effective website to go along with you Blog feel free to contact us for a free consultation at mailto:Christian@MyTitleRep.com.

Info Flyers

Online

This is an awesome tool and one that most people overlook. When writing your posts for your Blog, upload an online flyer that has a hyperlink via a word or phrase in a sentence. Create a PDF file that contains survey information, product description, polls, statistics or whatever your business has to share. Important: Make sure that your information and business information is clearly displayed. People will print these out more often than not and keep them. You can even have a map to your office or business on a second page or a featured listing or fantastic loan program. The possibilities here are endless.

Hardcopy

Anything that you print, mail or advertise should have your blog posted on it. More so than your website or both if you feel it's important enough. The link to your Blog should be clearly visible when people go to your website. All hardcopy advertising should contain a lead conversion tool (http://www.callsource.com/, http://www.textmymls.com/, http://www.realestategrowth.com/ ) to generate prospects phone numbers back to you. This will accomplish two things:

It will allow you to measure the effectiveness of that particular marketing campaign, mailer or advertisement.
It will allow you to follow up with warm leads. Many professionals are afraid to follow up with a lead in this fashion.

Some sales people are afraid of the prospect being upset that they are calling them when they really aren't expecting it. Because of this we've created a brief dialogue that we use to begin dialogue: "Hi. This is (your name) with (company). I noticed you were looking for more information about (product/service/listing). This system allows me to call you back and see if I can answer any more questions you might have. Would it be okay if I told you a little bit more about (product/service/listing)?

You've accomplished three things here. You've identified yourself, explained how you gained access to their number and asked for permission to engage in dialogue. If this is still something that makes you feel uncomfortable then you should consider looking for a new career ...seriously...sales is definitely not for you.

Conversion Tools

This is a very robust topic and one that can take up a lot of time. I'm going to boil it down to the salt. Online conversion tools are simply the engines that drive leads into your business. They must be compelling, provide value and if at all possible be interactive.

I'll start simple. Write a report or provide statistics and information about your product or service. It can be about anything that deals with what you're selling or providing as a service. Pick topics that are current and presently popular. Create a sign up form to gather your reader's information. At the very least get their email. Use a data collector that makes them use a valid email to send the report to. They get the report and you get the warm lead as well as a subject matter (the report) to go back to them with. Create another conversion link within that report that makes them interact with you even more. An audio postcard or two minute podcast link. There's a great product I've used over the years that allows us to record via the phone and post on any webpage. You can check it out at http://ia.mytitlerep.com/. It's very cool and simple to use.

Avatars are all the rage right now. Wikipedia defines Avatars as: a computer user's representation of himself or herself. Will your Avatar make you money...probably not. Can it be used to generate a lead...definitely. It's easier for me to show you an interactive Avatar than explain it.

Visit Roxy at http://newlisting.mastermymarketing.com/

Reef at http://www.mytitlerep.com/

Make sure you ask Reef some questions. He loves talking to people. You can also see both of them at http://www.southbaymarketplace.com/.

Roxy and Reef are virtual assistants to our team and provide our clients and customers valuable information. They also pull our visitors in and ask for the lead. Since they are programmed with artificial intelligence our visitors can communicate with them. We can also program them to answer questions on particular subjects. This is a valuable tool for any business professional wanting to keep people on their website as well as keep them coming back.

If you'd like to learn more about developing effective conversion tools feel free to contact us for a free consultation. Info@MyTitleRep.com.

Listing Presentations

Something to consider when working with a new seller. How motivated are they to sell. Questions to ask:

Why are you selling?

To see how much they can get for their home or to test the market is unacceptable and a waste of your time.

Where are you moving?

If they're serious about moving they will know where they are moving to.

How much do you want to list your house for?

In a Sellers marketyou can use comparables to set a sales price

In a Buyers market you must use what the competition is price at and inventory in months supply to determine a price that will get the home shown.

Once you've determined that they are serious about selling you're ready to compete for the listing. There are a few tricks to wining a listing. You must know what your competition is doing to win listings and you must win every time.

If you'd like to learn more about wining the listing 90% of the time, contact us at Info@MyTitleRep.com.

Domains

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can do online. Before you go and put all the effort necessary into the online leg of your business, make sure you've decided on and purchased a domain for it. Buy separate domains for your blog(s) and anything else you'll be promoting online.

Stay away from your name or trendy names like http://www.snidee.com/ . Stick with relevant names. Geographical names are great or something that describes your business like http://www.southbaytitle.com/ or http://www.homeofthequeenmary.com/.

By promoting your own domain along with your business it will allow you to own all of your marketing efforts. One mistake I see professionals do all the time is buy their own domain, build their online presence and continue to use their yahoo, gmail, cox, aol or other service provider's email address. What's up with that? It's like nails on a chalkboard to me. That's like wrapping a gift, signing the card and deliberately leaving it at home. Think about how much you email. Every time somebody sees your email address they are reminded of your website and business, but not if you're using one of the above mentioned service providers.

There are many companies out there that provide domain names. Here are a two that I've used: http://www.addressbuilders.com/ and http://www.register.com/.

Must Have Software

We think one of the biggest mistakes people make in business is not being self sufficient in all aspects. Okay, maybe it's impossible to accomplish all, but you can come close. Laziness and time are probably the biggest culprits in this area, but if you take three months of spare time out of you life and learn a few programs you can function quite easily on your own in the marketing world. We recommend Microsoft products to our clients because most are already familiar with their operating system.

Here's the list:

Microsoft Outlook - Contact Management
Microsoft Word - Word Documents
Microsoft Publisher - Publishing/Marketing
Microsoft Excel - Spreadsheets/Database Management
Microsoft FrontPage or Adobe Dreamweaver - Web design
Adobe Acrobat Reader - PDF Converter
Adobe Photoshop - Photo Editing

These software products will require an upfront investment, however any business you start will require start up funds and in the big picture this cost will be nominal. This is a must if you plan on surviving through the Gen X and Y generations competing with you. At the bare minimum buy the Microsoft products first (Microsoft Small Business or Professional pack will have most of them). You can get them for Macintosh computers as well. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free online at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

The new breed of business professional will know these products in and out because they're like pen and paper to us. In fact, they'll probably be using even more sophisticated programs. Though the new software tools are cool and have a ton of bells and whistles, they aren't necessary to run with the pack or even lead it. You have experience and more confidence than the younger generations, couple that with a bit of a learning curve and you will overcome and succeed.

Email Marketing

Email marketing has come a long way. Simply put...it's effective. Even if your client or prospect doesn't open your email, they still see your name in the from section of their email program. You can track who opened your email, filter through remove requests, design beautiful newsletters or reports and so much more. It's an easy and effective way to stay in front of your clients on a regular basis. Here's a list of companies that provide email marketing services from first to worst:

iContact ~ http://www.icontact.com/
Benchmark ~ http://www.benchmarkemail.com/
Stream Send ~ http://www.streamsend.com/
Campaigner ~ http://www.campaigner.com/
Bronto ~ http://www.bronto.com/
Vertical Response ~ http://www.verticalresponse.com/
Jango Mail ~ http://www.jangomail.com/
Constant Contact ~ http://www.constantcontact.com/
Email Brain ~ http://www.emailbrain.com/
Email Labs ~ http://www.emaillabs.com/

Budget

How much is all this technology going to cost me? Something we all are concerned about...our budget.

Let's break it down:

Blog ~ Free
Website ~ $0 - $1,000's
Domain ~ $9.95 each per year
Email Marketing ~ $9.95 per month
Avatars ~ $500 per year
Hosting ~ $3.95 per year
Software ~ $500-$1,000
Lead Generator ~ $360 per year
Website Audio ~ $360 per year
Your Time To Input ~ Effort and Patience

Yearly Grand Total: $2353.30 not including website

Monthly Grand Total: $196.10

Summary

For $5000 ($416.66 per month) you can and will be able to set up an effective online business that will be generating leads back to you within three months...depending on the amount of effort you put into it. I know of real estate agents that throw away thousands a month in print advertising and don't get the amount of leads that most do online. I hope this helps and keep in mind that though I work in the real estate world these principles cross over into any form of online business and can drive leads back to you the exact same way. Happy Hunting!

Generate your OWN REALTOR LEADS TODAY!

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:15:44 -0600

As you might or might not know I'm always looking for new ways to help our clients grow their business and every once in a while I run across a product that will not only help realtors grow their business, but one that can help us as affiliates grow our business....which brings me to the reason I'm writing.

I'm a big proponent of using technology to generate leads and I teach this to industry professionals all the time. One product I've always liked is Proquest which uses a Call Capture feature via an 800 number to follow up with potential buyers and sellers. About two months ago I ran across a product called Text My MLS and started to take a closer look at it. I even went so far as to talk to the founder and creator.

As you might have noticed, more and more people are texting as a form of communication...Especially the X and Y Generations. They want information and they want it now. They're also starting to buy homes. We're in a world of immediate gratification...wouldn't you say? Text My MLS taps into that perfectly.

Here's how it works:

A buyer drives buy the front of a listing and notices there's a sign rider on the Real Estate sign that says "Text MLS1000 to 70734". Once they enter this information into their cell phone and hit send four things will happen. First, an email will be sent to the realtor with their phone number and the listing they're requesting information about. Second, an email will be sent to you alerting you to the fact that the realtor has received a lead from the service you provided them. Third, a text message will be sent back to the prospect with the real estate agent's information and fourth another text message will immediately follow with the property description and link to the flyer that's been sent via the text message. They can click on the link and view the flyer right then and there...complete with property photos. There's also a place for your information and company contact info.

This tool is extremely valuable in this Seller vs. Seller market because listing agents need to be prospecting for their buyers all the time and in multiple ways. We're not in the environment of "Stick it on the MLS and it will sell" anymore.

You as an affiliate service provider can now walk into an Open House and have a value added conversation with an agent by helping them find more buyers. Don't forget that over 70% of the buyers out there will work with the first agent they talk to. Call Capture products like this will allow them to be that first agent!

I know your asking "Why are you sharing this with me Christian?" Simple. I believe that you, like myself are probably very motivated to drum up more business. I'm sharing this valuable information with you for two reasons. One, because I want to strengthen our working relationship and two because it is my hope that by helping you succeed you'll remember me when opportunities present themselves.

I've worked out a special deal with Text My MLS for California ONLY based on the barter system. I'll share their great idea with my contacts if they give them a discount to create added value for myself in the Title Industry and you in your industry.

In a nut shell here's what you'll get (In California Only):

Free Sign Up ($150 value)

Two Advertising Packages to pick from:

Gold $100 (25 Codes)

Platinum $150 (50 Codes)

I've had so much success with the product that I put together a tutorial on how to use it, just to make my life easier in answering quesitons. Here it is.

Use the codes however you please. Broker and Public opens are where I would use them as an Escrow Officer, Lender or? ....but everyone has their own creative juices...you might come up with something better. I can't give this type of product away because we're governed by RESPA, but I'm sure you can figure out some creative ways to market with it.

Here's a sample you can click over to right now: Sample

You can sign up for Free at Text My MLS if it's something you'd like to check out further.

IMPORTANT: The FIRST time you sign up make sure you enter the promo code in the appropriate box to get the special pricing before buying.

Promo Code: CS1212-E

See you out on the playground!

Christian

P.S. I almost forgot....they are giving me a trial period on this promotional offer through the end of the year...meaning I don't know if they'll honor it in 2008. Just a heads up.

Free Marketing eBook For Realtors

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:29:14 -0600

Techsgiving...A Time To Reflect And Prepare

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:25:59 -0600

It's already the middle of November and we're approaching the slower season within the Real Estate Industry...oh wait...we hit that three months ago! Maybe you've completely checked out for the rest of the year or maybe you've completely checked out of the industry and took a job tending bar at the local pub where you used to be a regular patron...hopefully not. We all knew this day was coming and prayerfully you sacked away some dough for the next six months or so while we continue to drag our knees and knuckles on the very hot asphalt here in California and throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles County.

I feel compelled to comment briefly on the crazy reactionary attitudes and outlooks most locals in our industry are conveying. Everyone is talking doom and gloom. I look at it as a short pause and time to reflect and prepare your house for the season ahead and seasons to follow. We enjoy a comforting semi-insulation within the South Bay and Southern California in general. People will always continue to move as far west as possible and because of this one simple fact...we will bounce back quicker than the rest of the nation.

That being said let's take a moment to be thankful for the abundant times we've enjoyed the past five years and keep a realistic and positive mind to the future. Use this time to regroup and launch a new you and a new look to your business for 2008. The days of mediocrity are over and you will no longer be tripping over business and falling into escrow after escrow. These times will be dependant on creative thinking and heavily dependant on technology. You'll have to continue your high touch, high visibility approach, but if you haven't ramped up on taking your business to the next level online you're going to be toast. Over 80% of the public goes to the Internet first before doing anything else when looking for real estate and lets face it...we're in a Seller vs. Seller market which makes buyers and buyer leads extremely valuable! Don't miss the boat folks. Check out my new FREE eBook on "Unlocking The Mysteries Of Internet Marketing For Realtors." Anyone in our industry or any other industry can apply what's in it to GROW their business, however everything we teach and talk about to our clients with regards to generating leads online is in there. If you find it valuable and helpful please feel free to leave a SUPER TESTIMONIAL me.

We have much to be thankful for and I'd like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for making our online presence such a strong one. It's been a great journey coupling our regular "Old School" business plan with the "Next Generation" of business plans. If you'd like help with your future business plan don't forget to give us a call or email us today! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and say a prayer for our troops here and abroad.

Thankfully,

Your Title Rep Christian Stefferud
(866) 469-8485
Christian@MyTitleRep.com

South Bay Market Place

50 Questions For Today's Realtor

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:09:42 -0500

1. Have you branded yourself?
2. Have you created a logo?
3. Do you have your own domain? (If not...I recommend buying one at http://www.addressbuilders.com/ for less)
4. Do you have a website?
5. Is it search engine friendly?
6. Does it integrate with the MLS?
7. Do you have a yearly marketing budget?
8. Do you have a marketing campaign?
9. Have you defined your target audience?
10. Do you have enough relevant marketing content for an entire year?
11. Do you have a sphere of influence?
12. Do you have a geographical farm?
13. Is your geographical farm in an area you're familiar and well versed in?
14. Are your farms up to date?
15. Are you using a contact management program?
16. Do you have all of your sphere's email addresses? (If not call them up, reconnect and update)
17. Are they in excel and in the proper format?
18. Is your geographical farm too large?
19. Can you afford to send a monthly mailer to your farms once a month for a year?
20. Do you have a monthly email campaign?
21. Can you contact your entire sphere with one email, one click, to share information with them?
(For example a new listing, price reductions, open houses, special events, industry news)
22. Are you using a service to promote your site on search engines?
23. Is your email address "yourname@yourdomain.com"?
24. Do you have a blog?
25. Does it have it's own domain?
26. How much content do you have on it?
27. Is it relevant to your target audience?
28. Do you have an established relationship with ONE Mortgage Broker?
29. Do you have an established relationship with ONE Home Warranty Rep?
30. Do you have an established relationship with ONE Escrow Officer?
31. Do you have an established relationship with ONE Title Rep?
32. Are you incorporating these relationships into your marketing and blog content?
33. Have you created smart match alliances with other services in your industry?
34. Have you created and perfected your listing presentation?
35. How comfortable are you with it at an actual presentation?
36. If you're new...is it well rehearsed?
37. Have you asked somebody to pick your presentation apart and make suggestions?
38. Do you have enough tools and systems in your presentation to win the listing?
39. Are you currently using a call capture system?
40. Does it have a fax through feature?
41. Do you have informational reports for your fax through feature?
42. Do you own a quality digital camera?
43. Do you use your property pictures to effectively advertise your listing on the internet?
44. How?
45. Can you quickly and effectively produce a quality property flyer for a listing?
46. Can you quickly and effectively produce and mail a just listed card?
47. Can you measure the effectiveness of your mailers and just listed cards?
48. Do your marketing systems run automatically each month, every month?
49. Are you using technology to grow your business and free up more time for you and your family?
50. Are you spending less than $5000 per year to effectively market yourself and your business?

Did you answer "No" to any of these questions? If so...contact me to set up an appointment.
Like you...I'm always looking to grow my business...and I do this by empowering you!

Christian Stefferud ~ 1.866.4MY.TITLE or Christian@MyTitleRep.com

I Want You To Want Me

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:44:31 -0500

I was sitting in the airport the other day waiting for a flight and was watching CNN on one of the TVs at the gate. I got to thinking about captive audiences and how it affects anyone who's marketing themselves. There must have been over a hundred people in the general area and we all were watching the same news program whether we wanted to or not. Unfortunately most of us in business don't have the luxury of the same captive audience.

I had a meeting with one of my clients the other day to go over their blog and help them with structural ideas and content. It was immediately clear to me that they had done a lot of thinking before our meeting and had most of basics handled: who they were targeting, how much they wanted to spend, purpose and format; etc.

Our meeting was rolling right along until I asked, "So, why would your target audience be interested in reading your articles?"

Oops...a blank set of eyes was my return look. They hadn't even considered the question.

In todays world of email marketing and blogs, if your targeted recipient doesn't want to get it...not just tolerate it...but actually want to get it, you're fighting an uphill battle.

The solution is simple to comprehend, but often tough to practice: Forget what you want your audience to know about you, and give them what they need or want to hear. Often times this includes information that will make their lives better or jobs better and more productive.

As a Title Rep I'm continuously scouring the internet and industry for great marketing ideas and practices for my clients. It's an endless search and one I actually enjoy. It also makes it easier to write my own posts.

As a Realtor or lender you should be writing articles and providing information that your clients want to hear and learn about. Don't think of it as giving information away for free...your clients will hire you because of the help and information you offer. Lay the foundation for your target market that displays you as an informed expert. This takes a little time, however eventually they will seek you out via the information you provide. Remember in Field of Dreams..."If you build it they will come."

Christian Stefferud
www.MyTitleRep.com
1.866.4MY.TITLE

For Sale By Owner

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Sun, 13 May 2007 10:56:00 -0500

A lot of homeowners believe they should sell their own home to save the money they would normally spend on broker commissions. On the surface it looks easy to sell a home. Why should they pay a realtor for something they are capable of doing themselves? Actually, close to 25% of all homes sold are by For Sale By Owners (FSBO).

Out of that 25%, close to half of the FSBOs said next time they would use a professional realtor next time they sold. Another 30% said they were extremely displeased with the outcome by choosing FSBO. Let's find out why.

A lot of the FSBOs said the responsibilities, legalities, time and paperwork weren't worth the money they saved by going it alone. Some said the savings they received weren't what they originally expected. After paying fees to inspectors, appraisers, title insurance, escrow and loan officers, marketing and advertising, they would have been better off to have just paid a broker's fee that would care of many of these charges.

Understanding the real estate market is necessary when selling a home. A property will sit and create a stigma that something is wrong with it when priced too high and when priced to low you will cost yourself some major cash! Many FSBOs found that they saved money had they made better marketing decisions. Overall, the cost of going it alone outweighed the commission they would have paid to a realtor.

Some Questions To Ask Yourself

How much time, energy, knowledge and ability do I have to commit to a legitimate effort to sell my home?

Your home should be completely accessible to sell it effectively and for the most money. Many FSBOs will sit too long on the market because the owner doesn't have time to show it effectively. You should set a certain amount of time each day to show your home effectively.

Can I handle the onslaught of vultures that see a FSBO and target them with low ball offers?

Filtering through qualified prospects and dealing with low ball offers is another thing that will chew up your time. A professional can spot and weed these out immediately. Selling your home below market value will likely cost you more than paying a broker commission.

Can I offer financing options to the buyer and can I answer financing questions?

Many times a buyer will need information on financing and if you're unprepared to answer their need and direct them to a trusty source, you can lose a potential buyer. A professional realtor works with a complete team that their clients profit from. For example lenders, title reps, termite companies, inspection companies etc...Because the realtor works exclusively with these people on every transaction they'll be trusty advisors to you.

Am I prepared for all the legalities that come with selling a home?

Incomplete paperwork, lack of inspections or not disclosing properly can kill a deal. Have you been informed of all the necessary steps to sell your home? You might wish to consult with a professional realtor.

Do I know anything about contracts, agreements and disputes before or after an offer is presented?

What if a buyer has a dispute? You should put all negotiations and agreements in writing to avoid this. Another deal breaker is the misinterpretation of what was negotiated!

Do you know which necessary professionals you'll need to contact? Who will you use for Title Insurance, Escrow, Termite or Inspector services?

Do you know who the top service providers are? Randomly selecting services can bust a deal up. Just like any profession, there are sub par individuals that can slow, delay and even blow the entire transaction up! Watch your step.

PreQualifying Helps Determine How Much House You Can Afford

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Sun, 13 May 2007 09:18:28 -0500

Before you start your house hunting in earnest, the real estate professional with whom you are working will likely "pre-qualify" you to determine a price range you can afford.
Pre-qualification is a necessary part of the home buying process that helps save you time and money.
Don't be shy or withhold information about your income or credit status. Your real estate professional isn't trying to pry. Rather, he or she must know all details related to your ability to obtain a mortgage.
By candidly discussing your financial situation, you'll give the agent the information necessary to show you homes you can afford. If you don't open up, you can placing the real estate professional in the role of a tour guide, not someone who can help you find a home within your budget. You'll wind up wasting your time and that of the seller.
Once you have signed a contract to purchase a home, you must choose a lending institution or mortgage company from which to obtain your home loan. Your loan application will request financial data including your place of employment, assets and liabilities (including recurring debts such as credit card bills and car payments).
Here are two tips on loan qualification:
Do not borrow the down payment without disclosing the loan, submit fake letters-of-credit or gift letters, or make secret financial arrangements.
Accurately list your income and assets, all debts and the approximate amounts you owe...You'll most likely be charged a credit report fee by the lender, which will cover the cost of having your credit history examined.
Credit reporting agencies compile credit reports on consumers, including bill payment history, as well as whether you have been sued or filed for bankruptcy among other information.
If your ability to obtain a mortgage is adversely affected by the credit report, you have the right to challenge the accuracy and seek corrections.
The credit report is part of the information the lender uses to determine if you qualify for a loan. It is not a mechanism to prevent you from buying. Remember, lenders want to make loans, not turn them down.

Christian Stefferud

www.MyTitleRep.com

Why don't you have your own DOMAIN?!

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Wed, 09 May 2007 22:23:48 -0500

Create A Business Email Account for Your Very Own Domain Name

Your own email account puts your business domain to work, whether you have a website or not. If you're still using an AOL, Yahoo!, HotMail, Juno or any other provider you're doing yourself and your business a disservice! When you're sending out marketing pieces to your clients and you include your business name, address, phone, website and then that ugly yourname@yahoo.com or yourname@aol.com it looks like you're halfway home to most people. Especially to people who know anything about technology and that's most of the working force these days. Think about this...if My Space were a country it would be the 10th largest country in the world just behind Mexico! Have you looked at how complicated it is to create a page on My Space? I have. You have to know html codes and whole bunch of other things I won't bore you with. Simply put, having an email address with your site address at the end of it is a MUST in today's world. Yes...you can keep using your current email address and just sync your email program so it checks for messages from both. Don't let technology make you run scared. Embrace it and remember...what one man can do another can do!

I recommend www.AddressBuilders.com because of their low prices ($9.95 for .com domains), dependable servers and their friendly & knowledgeable 24/7 support team. I have 32 domains parked there and run all my business technology and email accounts through them. Their ultra-reliable email accounts give you private, secure, anywhere, anytime communications. Choose either IMAP or POP3 accounts, add accounts or storage any time, even get FREE Webmail with every account you purchase. All of their email accounts come with the following features: "Phishing" fraud protection. Powerful technology spots email that's not from whom it claims to be before it hits your inbox Spam filtering. This smart technology identifies spam before it can become a nuisance. And you can train it to learn and defeat new spam techniques as you go. If you need help setting it up, contact their email server data center at (480) 624-2500. In addition they offer awesome virus protection which keeps your computer safe from the malicious viruses that lurk in innocent-looking emails. 256-bit encryption. When using Webmail, it encrypts messages with rock-solid, industry-leading protection. And much more I'm not going to list or waste your time with. Visit their "Spam-Free Email page for more information. Here's their link:

http://www.addressbuilders.com/

Christian Stefferud
http://www.mytitlerep.com/
christian@mytitlerep.com
1.866.4MY.TITLE

Easy Out Listing Agreement

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Wed, 09 May 2007 21:11:40 -0500

Here'a a cool flyer I put together for my clients to use when walking their neighborhoods. Please note that all my articles can not be reproduced without my permission...they do have copyrights to them! If you're going to plagiarize, make sure you rewrite the whole thing!

Easy Out Listing Agreement

Is being locked into a lengthy listing agreement with a "not so" competent real estate agent, costing your home valuable time and exposure on the market your biggest fear? Well, fear not. (Your Name) takes the fear out of listing your home with a real estate agent through his/her no hassle Easy Out Listing Agreement.

Cancel your listing at any time.
Relax, knowing that you will not be locked into a never ending contract.
Experience what it's like to work with a fulltime professional that is confident enough to make this offer.

No gimmicks, no reading between the lines!

There's always a catch to a guarantee, isn't there? Wouldn't it be great to finally find one that says what it means and one that actually puts you in the driver's seat?

You might not be selling your home with a Realtor now, but should you decide to interview in the future, please consider comparing me. Feel free to call me for a no obligation visit. I assure you that it will be well worth your time!

Your Contact Information Here

Don't Pick The Wrong Realtor!

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Wed, 09 May 2007 20:57:30 -0500

Don't Pick The Wrong Realtor!

How many homes do most people sell in their lifetime...two maybe three? How do you know which realtor to pick with such little experience? Not all realtors are the same, however most people think they are. Many will list their home with a friend or Aunt Jenny who has a day job and does real estate on the side or worse; the first realtor they meet. What kind of business plan will they use to sell your home and what type of qualifications do they have? So what do you do? Research....not a lot, but some due diligence will help in the long run.

Look around your neighborhood and see who has the most signs, ads and marketing material. Who's been actively mailing to you? Once you've compiled a list of realtors in your area ask them these questions:

1. Can you send me more information about yourself and business?

Usually the realtors that are marketing consistently are using systems to sell their listings and find qualified buyers quicker. If a realtor's own marketing materials aren't effective & professional, then how effective are they going to be when it comes to selling your home? If they can't market themselves effectively to you then imagine how effective they're going to be in handling potential home buyers.

2. How long is your average listing on the market before it sells?

Keep in mind that market conditions will dictate an average number of days a listing is on the market if priced properly. If an agent is selling all their listings quickly that might not be a good thing...it could signify undervaluing their inventory. Ask the agent what the price variations are on their listings between the original asking price and actual sales price. If the two values are close then the agent is effective in determining the right sales price. This will prevent you from extreme "let downs" and know what your home should sell for from the start. Again...the real estate market is fluid, so prices can move while your home is on the market.

3. How long have you been in the business and what professional organizations do you belong?

A realtor can have 20 years of experience and not be as qualified as somebody who's been in for 3 and is a top producer. The 20 year realtor could have taken five years off and is only doing real estate part time. Organizations will help you get a better feel of how they approach their business. A member of the local real estate board, Multiple Listing Service and don't forget being licensed is a must! Other local memberships will help in networking and exposure for your home.

4. Will you hold open houses?

Although these don't sell a home by themselves, they are important to allow people to see your home up close and personal. These should be part of a complete marketing plan.

5. How much do you think we should put our home on the market for?

Make sure the price reflects your market. Ask to see comparables of the recent homes sold in your area. Be realistic. If you're gunning for an unrealistic price your agent should be honest with you about that. An agent that accepts a listing priced unrealistically won't market your home effectively because they know it's unrealistically priced and they'll be throwing money into the wind. Keep it real or just stay put and enjoy your home or refinance and remodel. Remember a home that sits on the market past your area's average will be look at unfavorably by other agents and potential buyers.

6. How long will our listing agreement be?

Six months is a good rule of thumb. Some agents will allow you to have an "Easy Out" agreement...meaning either one of you can fire one another at any time. Every agent works differently for different reasons. Weigh each out carefully. Something that seems good at first can be a hindrance in the long run.

7. What other fees will there be?

An agent should be able to spell out what other fees you'll encounter during the listing and escrow process. For example escrow, title fees are a few.

8. Are there any disclosure laws that I need to know?

Keep a file folder with all your paperwork regarding these. Inspection reports, property profile, preliminary title report, termite or pest paperwork, CC&Rs, condo plans, easements etc... Each property is different, so each will require different forms of documentation. Most title companies will have document folders on hand for their clients to keep...ask your realtor.

9. How are you different then every other agent out there?

Most successful agents will have unique marketing techniques that will blow their competition away. The old tired ways of marketing a listing is what most run of the mill agents will try to sell you on. Look for the agent that uses cutting edge technology and consistent systems to not only sell your home, but attract potential buyers for your home. What is Aunt Jenny using? No offense, but maybe she's not the person you want selling your home!

What is a Prelim?

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:23:41 -0500

A preliminary title report is a signed and dated report used to facilitate the issuance of a policy of title insurance. It is a report of the conditions upon which the Title Company is willing to issue a policy of title insurance. Since it is issued before, or preliminary to, the issuance of the policy, it is known as "Preliminary" or a "Prelim."
By opening a title order, you are applying for a policy of title insurance. Within a short time after the title order has been opened, the Title Company will search the tile to the property in question, examine the results of that search, prepare the preliminary title report and send it to the customer that opened the title order, so that the parties to the transaction may review the report, and its conditions for policy.

Many things affect the condition of title...and might be reported as conditions for the policy on the Preliminary Title Report.

The estate or interest in property which is the subject of the Preliminary Title Report.
The record owner of the estate or interest.
The legal description of the parcel of land involved.
Taxes (city and county.)
Bonds or assessments, such as street lighting, sewers, sidewalk repairs, etc.
Easements (i.e. - public utility purposes, alleys, sewers, light and air, driveways, etc.)
C.C. & R's (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) which affect the use of the land such as types of buildings, setbacks, fences, etc.
Deeds of Trust.
Liens recorded against the property (i.e. - Mechanics Liens.)
Judgment of liens recorded against persons (sellers) affecting the ownership such as Federal Income Tax Liens, money, judgments, etc.)
Recorded leases...building, ground and mineral.
Recorded declarations of Homesteads are reported with the vesting and are a part of the prelim.
List of printed exceptions and exclusions.

The legal and vesting are descriptions rather than conditions and are the subject of the report.

If you're looking for a great lender or realtor referral in your area or for more information contact us at: http://www.mytitlerep.com/ or call 1.866.4MY.TITLE

What Is Payoff?

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:21:47 -0500

PAYOFF
The receipt of funds from the buyer and the payment of the obligations of the seller in conjunction with a real estate transaction. The payoff function is performed by the title company.

PAYOFF FEES
The Title Company fees for handling a payoff vary slightly from county to county. The fee is strictly a processing charge and does not cover special handling charges or potential shortages.

PREFIGURES
Estimated payoff figures are calculated and given prior to closing upon request. These figures are only valid through the date given and are based on the information provided at the time.

GOOD FUNDS
The Title Company must be in receipt of "Good Funds" prior to disbursing on a pay-off. Types of "Good Funds" include:
     1.   Funds wired into the Title Company's sub-escrow account.
     2. A Cashier's, teller's or certified check will provide next day availability after deposit, to comply with AB512.
    3.   All other local or out of area checks will provide availability of funds to comply with AB512.

TAXES
Outstanding property taxes can be paid out of the payoff process.

DEMANDS
Demands must include specific payoff information concerning the particular property and must be signed. It is the responsibility of the escrow to order and provide all necessary demands including any updates or changes on a timely basis.

REFUNDS
Any overpayments of demands will be refunded to the escrow upon receipt from the lender. Refunds typically take two to six weeks to process.

SHORTAGES
If there is a shortage of the funds necessary to cover the outstanding obligations, the shortages must be received prior to closing.

DISBURSEMENT CHECKS
Checks are delivered locally to lending institutions by a contracted messenger service. Checks to individuals and to out of area lenders are typically sent via an overnight delivery company.

WIRE TRANSFERS
Funds can be wired into or out of the the Title Company's account.

DRAFTS
Title company drafts may be used to disburse the payoff proceeds to the escrow companies if so requested.
Sub-escrow (loan payoff) is an extremely important service provided by title companies to facilitate the handling of money in the closing of a real estate transaction. The performance of the payoff function, exclusive of escrow services, is unique to Southern California. This is because the majority of our customers are independent escrow companies, and the majority of our title orders require payoff service. The sub-escrow department does not draw escrow instructions or documents (i.e. Grant Deeds, Trust Deeds, etc.). They do not order demands for payoff, but do make the payoffs at the close of escrow. Sub-escrow has a language of its own-note the following brief definitions of commonly used terms, intended to answer some of the questions you may have regarding the sub-escrow (payoff) function.

If you're looking for a great lender or realtor referral in your area or for more information contact us at: http://www.mytitlerep.com/ or call 1.866.4MY.TITLE

What is Title Insurance?

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:19:29 -0500

A title insurance policy protects a real estate owner or lender against any loss or damage they might experience because of liens, encumbrances, or defects in the title to said property, or the incorrectness of the related search.
HOW DOES TITLE INSURANCE DIFFER FROM CASUALTY INSURANCE?
Casualty Insurers (car, life, health, etc.) assume risk for future events, collecting monthly or annual premiums. A title policy insures the past of the real property and the people who owned it, for a one-time premium paid at the close of escrow.
WHAT DOES TITLE INSURANCE COVER?
Title insurance protects against claims from various defects such as another person claiming an ownership interest, improperly recorded, fraud, forgery, liens, encroachments, easements and other items that are specified in the actual policy.
WHO NEEDS TITLE INSURANCE?
Purchasers and lenders need title insurance to know the property they are involved with is insured against various possible title defects. Whether it is a sale, refinance, construction loan, etc., the seller, buyer, and lender all benefit.
HOW IS A TITLE POLICY CREATED?
After the escrow officer or lender opens the Title Order, the Title company begins a search of the public records including the County Recorder, Federal & State Agencies, and County & City Offices. A Preliminary Report is issued to the customer for review and approval. All closing documents are recorded upon escrow's instructions. When recording has been confirmed, demands are paid, funds are disbursed, and the actual title policy is issued and sent to the insured.
WHAT TYPES OF POLICIES ARE AVAILABLE?
A standard CLTA "Owner's" policy insures the new owner, the home buyer and an ALTA or CLTA "Lender's" policy insures the priority of the lender's security interest. An extended coverage ALTA-R (residential) policy to owners of 1-4 unit property is also offered. The ALTA "Homeowner's" policy is for owners of 1-4 unit properties as well and expands the number of covered title risks to 29, including certain specified risks that may arise in the future. Title companies issue this extended coverage automatically on qualifying properties. Special Binders, Guarantees and Endorsements are also available.

If you're looking for a great lender or realtor referral in your area or for more information contact us at: http://www.mytitlerep.com/ or call 1.866.4MY.TITLE

Title Policies

Christian Stefferud (Old Republic Title) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:16:23 -0500

If you sell or refinance your home within 5 years of the original transaction date, you are eligible to receive a special Short Term Rate.

CLTA Standard Coverage Policy:
Provides title insurance coverage to owners and/or lenders with insurable interests in real property. Basically insures against loss or damage by reason of matters appearing in the public records, as defined.

ALTA Owners Policy:
Provides title insurance coverage to owners with insurable interests in real property. This is usually requested as an "extended coverage" policy, but may be issured as a "standard coverage" policy, as well.

ALTA Residential Title Insurance Company (ALTA-R):
Provides title insurance coverage, written in "plain language." Limited to owners of a one-to-four family residential lot or condominium unit. Includes limited coverage for certain matters such as encroachments, mechanic's liens and violations of restrictions or zoning.

ALTA Homeowner's Policy of Title Insurance for a One-to-Four Family Residence:
Provides title insurance coverage to owners of improved one-to-four family residential property. Expands the number of covered title risks to 29, including certain specified risks that may arise in the future. Provides for payment of a "deductible" in some instances.

If you're looking for a great lender or realtor referral in your area or for more information contact us at: http://www.mytitlerep.com/ or call 1.866.4MY.TITLE