title insurance: My toasty fire is a labor of love - 01/26/15 01:04 AM
It's cold and snowy in Maryland and I am blessed to be able to work from home today in front of my cozy fireplace.

As I was getting the fire started this morning, I realized that I have been taking for granted the fact that my dear husband has worked long and hard over the course of the last year to see to it that when winter hit we would be prepared to use our fireplace as a supplemental heating source if need or wanted.
I always know that when I step out to grab logs from the wood rack … (0 comments)

title insurance: We've forgotton how to talk to people and it's our own fault! - 01/13/15 12:57 AM
Every day we send out several if not hundreds of e-mails.  Our e-mail signature says a lot about us.
What is yours telling your contacts?
My e-mail signature is pretty straight forward, name address and PHONE NUMBER.  The e-mail address itself of course is easy to find.  
More and more I see that people are using only their social media links in their signature and completely omitting any mention to their phone number! 
There are icons for Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and others to help people find your on-line presence
but why are you not adding your phone number?
 
Yes, it is easier and sometimes faster to respond … (4 comments)

title insurance: The cost of compliance in 2015 - 12/26/14 10:22 PM
As we look forward to a new year we are reminded that the new Consumer Disclosures will become mandatory in August.
Those of us in the title industry have already started gearing up for the changes by updating our computer hardware if needed so that our computers are able to handle the new software, attending training and working with our software providers and our IT providers  to ensure that our updates will be ready for install in time for the August 1 deadline.
How will the changes affect you and your client? What can you expect to see in the months to come?
As  in … (0 comments)

title insurance: I really love working with you, but, your fees are just too high! - 08/19/14 06:13 AM
That was the call I took last month  from a Realtor with whom I have completed several transactions.  She called to tell me that she had just sold a home to a first time home buyer and that she was going to refer the transaction to me, but another title agent quoted her a fee that was $50.00 less than my normal fee.   The buyer was  just barely able to prove the required funds needed to complete closing and the Realtor wanted to make sure that title fees weren't going to keep this young buyer from achieving her dream!  She did not ask … (7 comments)

title insurance: Third Party Vetting of Title Agents Rears It's Ugly Head Again - 08/15/14 06:26 AM


For the first time in over two years, I was recently asked by a loan broker whether or not I was vetted through Secure Settlements, a third party vetting agency who claims to be able to properly vet a title agent to insure to the lender that they (the title agent) are compliant with best practices, and are trustworthy by offering a comprehensive risk management report of third party services providers, including title agents, appraisers, accountants, attorneys, document preparation firms, etc. 
In 2012 this same company was very actively engaged in trying to get all lenders to use … (0 comments)

title insurance: Would you like some Cheese with that Whine? - 07/07/14 05:33 AM
The client's needs should always come first, right?
Yes, that is good business no matter what business you are in but what do you do when the client starts to whine incessently about the "inconvenience" he/she must experience through the entire real estate transaction.
Whether you are the listing agent, selling agent, lender or title agent you are constantly trying to coordinate schedules with a host of folks beginning with the initial showing of the home and ending with the final closing.
In Maryland we have a face to face meeting with buyers/sellers, sometimes called closing an sometimes called settlement but … (4 comments)

title insurance: You have an on-line PRESENCE, but are you PRESENT? - 08/03/12 03:44 AM
Every day we update out Twitter feed, enter our status on Facebook, blog, e-mail and text message to our clients in the hope that our on-line presence will attract their attention.  It is important to do this, without question, but is that the only way in which you are communicating with your client base?  More and more lately I find that people are only communicating via electronic media.  I too find myself often falling into this same habit of sending a quick e-mail rather than picking up the phone sometimes and I resolve to stop relying upon electronic media to connect with … (0 comments)

title insurance: A TALE OF ADVERSE POSSESSION ON A TITLE AGENT'S LAND - 08/02/12 02:27 AM
As a title agent with more than 25 years experience behind me I have heard many tales of adverse possession.  I never thought I would be a victim of adverse possesion myself, but sadly, I find that my property has been used, for some time evidently, by others for their enjoyment, without my knowledge, by actual, open, hostile, and continuous possession I need to file a title claim.

My husband and I share a peaceful home life on our 17 acre parcel of property with many of God's creatures and for the most part they leave us alone and we … (2 comments)

title insurance: INTERVIEWING YOUR TITLE AGENT- WHAT DO YOU NEED TO ASK? - 05/09/12 04:43 AM
QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK WHEN INTERVIEWING TITLE AGENTS by The Preferred Title Group, Inc. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 2:38pm ·   It would never occur to you to enter into an agreement with a Realtor to list your home for sale or to represent you in the purchase of a home without conducting an interview of several Realtors to insure that their experience, licensing, continuing education etc. meets all of your criteria.  Nor would you place your trust in a lender wtihout conducting interviews of several lenders to insure that they are offering you the most competive rates … (2 comments)

title insurance: Lenders BEWARE-First American Title Insurance Company- Quick Start Program- - 01/13/12 04:10 AM
First American Title Insurance Company has recently announced a new "product" of insurance specifically targeting lenders who are partipating in the HARP 2.0 refinance program.
From the January 3, 2012 Press Release issued by First American:
First American's Quick Start HARP solution supports the revised program by helping mortgage lenders develop their own "push" or "pull" approach to soliciting homeowners.  In a "push" version, the lender utilizes internal loan data and First American's proprietary title automation to proactively solicit homeowners who might benefit from HARP 2.0. The "pull" version is used when homeowners contact the lender to inquire about HARP 2.0.  … (2 comments)

title insurance: Title Insurance and Closing Services, Consumers should DEMAND more education, protection and transarency - 01/09/12 06:19 AM
I came across a petition the other day posted at myTitleIns.com.  This petition hits the nail on the head as it relates to the need for consumers to be better educated and better protected when selecting title and settlement service providers.
This petition reveals many of the issues surrounding the lack of consumer education and protection in the title and settlement services industry.  I would love to see a petition of this sort nationwide.
It reveals some startling facts related to title insurance in the State of Colorodo, a state I am not particularly familier with, but the similarites can be … (1 comments)

title insurance: The Affiliated Business Arrangement Addendum- What it really means to you - 01/03/12 07:24 AM
When a buyer or seller is presented with a standard contract of sale that contract can now far exceed more than 40 pages.  Among those pages is often found a page titled "Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure Statement"
It is not at all uncommon for the Realtor to present the contract of sale to the buyer/seller and to simply point and say "sign here, here, here and initial here, here, here."  More often than not buyer/sellers will do just that without bothering to read any part of the contract, or alternatively, simply reading what they feel to be important to them, such … (22 comments)

title insurance: Are you marketing to Realtors and Title Agents? You may want to learn more about their business - 08/30/11 09:06 AM
I work with many great companies who provide invaluable services to me.  But for some reason many of these companies just don't understand the business other than to know that their product makes our lives a little bit easier and we are a good target market for them.
What gives rise to this particular rant is the fact that today I have taken 2 calls from vendors that I do business with both of whom just wanted to "touch base".  While I love to talk to these particular sales people, I DON'T HAVE TIME AT MONTH END to have a discussion … (0 comments)

title insurance: SHERLOCK HOLMES HAS NOTHING ON ME!! I A PROFESSIONAL TITLE AGENT - 08/03/11 08:51 AM

I am a PROFESSIONAL TITLE AGENT!
But, I spend my days playing detective!
Today, I am trying to solve the mystery surrounding a missing link in the chain of title. 
While I am a very good detective, having spent the better part of the last 25 years doing just this type thing every day, I am becoming increasingly tired of this role.  
In the current transaction we have a bank owned property that is under contract with a closing date of MAYBE Friday, the 5th of August.  
One would think that since there are not less than 3 title … (2 comments)

title insurance: Should I make my blog more FLUFFY? - 07/14/11 08:22 AM

I haven't been blogging much lately on AR.  I became somewhat disenchanted with AR for a while because some of the blogs that were featured seemed to be just FLUFF.  By that I mean that they seemed not to impart any particular wisdom but rather just seemed to be posted for purposes of creating a blog for the day.
I do blog almost daily on other sites, these are mostly professional sites and my blogs are geared to those professionals who are driven to those sites. 
I need to make my AR blog more appealing to Realtors and to consumers, … (39 comments)

title insurance: You've done your job!! It's time for the closing. What is your ROLE at closing? - 07/13/11 08:57 AM
THE REALTOR ON THE DATE CLOSING
  The realtor plays a very important role in the settlement transaction.  It is the job of the realtor to assist the buyer in obtaining financing, assist the buyer in getting inspections done ordering title work and ultimately getting the deal to closing.
 Ultimately of course, you want this deal to close and you want to collect your commission check. YOU EARNED IT.  
The realtor should always attend the settlement.  The buyer may have questions that the title agent cannot answer.  You have been involved in the transaction from the very beginning and you have … (0 comments)

title insurance: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!!!! ANNOUNCING THE PREFERRED TITLE GROUP, INC. IN 24 MORE STATES!!! - 06/21/11 06:35 AM
I am pleased to announce that effective IMMEDIATELY we are able to offer you FULL TITLE AND SETTLEMENT SERVICES in the following states:
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NH, NJ, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, WI, WV
This new phase of our business development has been a while in the making and I am soooo excited about it. 
This will enable all of you to make one phone call to me to get the ball rolling for your closing and title needs for all of your transactions. 
Still offering you the … (0 comments)

title insurance: I will try to help you, BUT PLEASE STOP YELLING AT ME - 06/15/11 09:06 AM
I am truly humbled by the number of people who read my various blogs and who then pick up the phone to ask me questions.  It is my strongest desire to try to be of assistance to anyone who calls me with a question.  If it is a question I cannot answer, I strive to find the right resource to get the answer and put the caller in touch with that resource.
I took a call yesterday from a woman who had read one of my blogs. Her specific inquiry to me was in relation to what recourse she may have … (0 comments)

title insurance: Buying from HUD of FNMA? What restrictions are placed on re-sale? - 05/31/11 05:26 AM
In light of the thousands of foreclosed properties on the market these days, we find more and more that investors are scooping up on some really good deals to add to their portfolios.
I have received a few contracts lately from investors who want to almost immediately re-sell the property to others. In one case, I had a client who wanted me to do an immediate "flip" into the new buyer.  I remineded him of a particular document that he signed at closing which specifically forbids this immediate "flip" The document was one of several that I am sure he was told … (0 comments)

title insurance: The use of a POA in your real estate closing should not be your FIRST CHOICE - 05/09/11 09:10 AM
The use of a POA in your real estate closing should not be your FIRST CHOICE
I am doing a transaction on a property in Maryland with a purchase price of $550K and a loan amount of $440K. The buyers, husband and wife, cannot both be in town at the same time. The wife asked if we could do a POA
I told her that as long as the lender approved the use of a POA we could have one prepared for her, send it to her with instruction for execution and notarization, etc.  The bank agreed to the use of … (0 comments)