Now that May has quickly gone by and June is thrust upon us, it is time to settle into our 'SUMMER MODE'...  

Practically all of us fit into one of the title categories listed...so all of us should have at least some reason to celebrate this month...!  

I, for one, am looking forward to getting in some fishing, and of course Father's Day gives me the opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for all my ASSETS...!!!  

My yougest son, Jared, had a three for three game on Saturday and ended May with a bang by driving in the two runs needed to tie the score in the last inning...WOW, did he turn on that ball and double it into left field...I just had to get that in...!!!  

June is traditionally a good settlement month...I guess what with school ending and summer beginning...! This June is shaping up well judging by the title applications coming in!

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The Pennsylvania Insurance Department and The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office are attempting to come up with a fair solution to the latest changes in Title Insurance regs and rates...  

We need a raise and the consumer needs to be protected...

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If they're interested I have prepared a list of items needing consideration...this list is by no means all inclusive, exhaustive, nor prioritized...!!!   

There was a public informational hearing on Thursday, May 28, 2009, scheduled by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, to consider the full scope of issues currently under consideration before The Department.  

Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. is a full service Title Insurance Agency currently operating in Limerick, Pennsylvania.  

We have been a small independent title insurance agent since 1996. Prior to that date, principals of Patriot Land had been involved in other agency operations dating back to the early 1970s. With over 40 years of combined Title Insurance experience we would like to offer the following observations for your consideration. For purposes of clarity and transparency, and a high respect for the 'consumer' element in every real estate transaction, our comments will be intentionally anecdotal and brief, but with little effort can be expanded and evidenced.  

*All Real Estate is LOCAL by definition, and as such, should be bound by local law and custom.  

*Every individual is a CONSUMER, so any system which truly benefits the consumer should benefit ALL.  

*There are many PLAYERS in a Real Estate transaction...Real Estate Broker(s), Lender(s), Loan Officer, Mortgage Broker, Sellers, Buyers, Home Inspectors, Appraisers, Insurance Agent(s), Taxing Authorities, County Records Department(s), other municipal authorities, and possible community associations.  

*For the CONSUMER to have a positive, fair, and understandable real estate transaction, the transaction must be 'conducted' in a manner as seamless as possible, and this role has traditionally been adopted by the Title Company or Title Agent.  

*There is no way to short circuit or short cut the process if the consumer is to be best served, and this means time consumption which translates to dollars out of the consumer's pocket. A large percentage of Title Agent income is spent on payroll (60% to 70%).  

*I have personally witnessed Title Insurance in Pennsylvania with and without a Title Insurance Rating Bureau...Life for all, including the consumer, was best served with a Rating Bureau. That industry which 'polices' itself polices best.  

*Problems inevitably occur when parties to a real estate transaction attempt to wear 'multiple hats', i.e. Broker/Lender, Broker/Title Company, Lender/Title Company, Broker/Lender/Title Company, etc.  

*Conflicts of interest always hurt the consumer...'One Stop Shopping' permitted with conditions under RESPA has not proven to be cost effective...in fact many times these 'One Stop Shops' add to closing costs.  

*Disclosures provided to consumers to explain 'affiliations' are confusing at best and misrepresenting in many cases.  

*The Rating Bureau eliminates the need for the consumer to shop 'rates'...competition should be for services and other conveniences.  

*More than half of all matters we process require some type of 'fixing'...editorial, clerical, or technical...most often these 'glitches' are corrected with little or no fanfare and at little or no cost to the consumer!  

Lots of food on the plate...ENJOY...!!!